I was MOH in my best friend's wedding recently, and she loved planning her wedding so much that she decided to make a career out of it. I just got engaged, and would like for her to be my MOH, though I haven't officially told her yet. However, in the past few weeks since my engagement she has told me multiple times that she is getting started in the wedding planning business and would love for me to use her to help plan my wedding. She has also mentioned that she's looking to beef up her portfolio and is planning to charge a minimal fee until she's had more experience.
I'd love to help her, but I have a hard time understanding where to draw the line. When am I paying her for services, and when is she simply being my MOH? Will she charge me when shopping for bridesmaid dresses or checking out a florist? I went along with her for a few vendors and assisted with decor for her wedding, and I did that because I care about her and being the MOH comes with certain responsibilities. But I'm afraid she now sees her opinions as an asset that she should be paid for (regardless of the fact that she doesn't necessarily have much experience yet). Not to mention that I am having a very small, low-key wedding and would never have otherwise considered hiring a planner.
The only thing encouraging me to hire her for help is the fact that I will need some assistance with planning, as the wedding is being held in my hometown and I recently moved away. I don't want to be charged for things that I would consider the usual duties of an MOH, but I also don't want to ask too much of her or make her think that I'm taking advantage of her.
Any thoughts?