To Get a Planner or Not

Bellabosco

Hi Girls,

I was hoping to get some advice on wedding planning. I have been going back and forth with the idea. I have my venue and churched booked already. I am absolutely the worst person for making decisions. I am having a hard time deciding on colour scheme and where to start with looking a vendors and researching prices. It all seems so overhwelming to me at this point and that's why I thought a planner would be a better option. I think looking at all the magazines and pinterest has just made it worse for me, too many options to choose from.

Any suggestions? If I do get a planner, I would like a reputible one with the credentials and expereince. From looking online, it seems a full planning service is around $2,000.

Any help is appreciated!!

Jewel224

Just something to point out - you'll still need to make decisions about colour scheme and vendors, etc., but a wedding planner will certainly help to make some of these decisions easier for you. If you have the budget for it, certainly go for it!  It will definitely take the load of your shoulders.

Pricing varies from planner to planner but will also depend on how detailed your wedding is but the average for full planning is around $2000 as you mentioned. However, if there are some things you prefer to take care of and let the planner take care of other things, negotiations can be made. 

I certainly recommend Leena from Let's Party Consultants - I hired her to help me negotiate pricing and find a venue for my reception and ceremony.  She was fabulous to work with.  Some other recommendations: Tiffany from Tiffany Events (info@tiffanyevents.ca) or Wendy from Asian Fusion Weddings (wendy@asianfusionweddings.com).  Another Toronto Knottie on here highly recommended Tiffany and I also interviewed Wendy and she is super knowledgeable. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Clare

rdk649

I got married last year, and I didn't think a Wedding Planner was really necessary if you are keeping it relatively simple and in-line with what is considered normal.  My wife agreed as well.  

However, we did have a 'Co-ordinator' for the Day of which I highly recommend to act as the point person, and overall 'Director' to ensure the schedule is followed, pictures, getting people to help, resolve small issues with vendors/Reception, and most importantly, ensuring things were set-up in advance (ie. flowers, centerpieces, etc)

Forget getting a friend to to this, better to pay someone which makes the day go alot smoother. Kind of like a Aide you see that does everything for the political candidate. 

In the weeks and months leading up to the day, my wife kept the Coordinator updated and informed.. basically a diologue back and fourth so the Coordinator can be on the same page.  

But if you want a more stressfree process, and a day that is more 'fanciful', than it is probably worth it.  

AffairyEvents

I am the lead planner and owner of www.affairyevents.com but when i got married I got a wedding planner for the day of because i know from experience how stressful it can be! Last you want is to have your family or friend run around on the day of your wedding and wory about schedule, etc. If you are on a tight budget you can hire a  day of coordinator.

We do full and day of wedding coordination as well as consultations and bridal styling. If you have any questions check our website or send us an email ksenia@affairyevents.com

Good luck!

achiduck

I had a DOC and it was SO helpful and really allowed me to relax on the day of the wedding. if I had the room in my budget I would have hired her to plan the whole wedding. 

I used The Prepared Bride. 

seca400

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_canada-toronto_to-get-a-planner-or-not?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:613Discussion:58fa38c4-95e4-4440-ae95-1f4cc1ad7436Post:563c3240-1468-4077-a987-a8ecdc83c877">Re: To Get a Planner or Not</a>:
[QUOTE]I had a DOC and it was SO helpful and really allowed me to relax on the day of the wedding. if I had the room in my budget I would have hired her to plan the whole wedding.  I used The Prepared Bride. 
Posted by achiduck[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I'm not from Toronto but I hired <a href="http://www.livethedreamevents.ca" target="_blank" title="Jasper Wedding Planner" rel="nofollow">Jasper Wedding Planner</a> Live the Dream Events and they're doing great so far!  I'll let you know how it goes!

</div>

estimi

Only you can figure out if you need it or not. I have a lot of DIY stuff and people bringing in things for me so a day of planner is great for coordinating everything and allowing me to relax. It also allows my friends to relax the whole time too, but then I also knew I didn't have a super planner type friend who is super organized and love everything about weddings. I have friends who can organize, but they are so busy I feel bad to ask them to go over everything on my wishlist with me.

One of my friend is too controlling (her words!) to let anyone else help her. 

AlmostMG

I got a partial wedding planner just to help me out.  She's not reputable yet as she just started out but she is very organized and very helpful and I felt confident picking her.  She has very good rates as she is just starting out, I booked day of coordination package for $300!

here is her site:

http://itstartedwithakissweddings.weebly.com/index.html