Do I need a wedding planner?

bprosser11

So my fiancé and I are going to elope with just a few family members in Maui. We want a beach wedding. Do we need a coordinator? What are some price ranges of some? Also any recommendations of beaches?

allisonpickup80

Hello! I am doing the same type of wedding you are. We are getting married on the beach with 5 family members and then going to a restaurant after for dinner celebration. No you do not need a coordinator if that is what you are doing. If you plan on having a photographer check out simple Maui weddings... If you choose Maui. They are so nice and offer great packages. Marissa is the coordinator that comes with any package you choose and she is so great. Let me know if you have any questions.

kaesha

You absolutely don't need one - really it depends on how organized you want to be on your own. With a beach reception, you really just need whomever is marrying you to do their thing and you're done.

FSForever

We are having around 20 guests and when we changed our date we decided that we really didn't need a WC. I was able to book the officiant, Rev. Tino Rosette, the Restaurant, Gannon's, and everything else with ease. Every time I have a question I either search here, ask TKnotties, or email one of the above vendors and I have received an answer with in a day or so. Puts my mind at ease and helps in the planning. If you are organized I would say you don't need one. 

kimmykupcakes

We aren't using one. Haven't had any problems at all and it's all gone really smoothly.

reneeohau

Aloha - I am a local bride and I thought I should tell you of many experiences with destination brides I see on my island.  Booking vendors might go smoothly but if you do not live on the island of Hawaii I highly highly suggest booking a planner for that very reason.  A lot of things can go wrong if you are not local.  The wedding planners job is to make sure it does not and they have the right hook up with the locals.  Sure, booking vendors is the easy part but for it to really go smoothly I would definitely go with a wedding planner. I am a local bride and I am using a planner.  I want to make sure that everything goes accordingly.   A lot of wedding planners have their own vendors so it is assured that nothing will happen because they have a solid relationship with each other. I don't mean to be a buzz kill here but I see the worse outcomes by mainland brides not getting a local planner.  I can suggest my planner... She is amazing... Her name is Yanicke and she only has the most quality vendors on the island.  Check out her website www.zenjuweddingsnevents.com - I love her!  She just started out so she is more economical than the other weddings planners and I think she does weddings on Maui as well. I am not sure you would have to call her.... Goodluck and if you need any help locally please let me know. I can help... Mahalo!

Puananip

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_do-i-need-a-wedding-planner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:73Discussion:e63a3b56-251a-421c-bc18-1fdbc92e7368Post:67d061bb-a447-465a-843f-701ac26b7606">Re: Do I need a wedding planner?</a>:
[QUOTE]Aloha - I am a local bride and I thought I should tell you of many experiences with destination brides I see on my island.  Booking vendors might go smoothly but if you do not live on the island of Hawaii I highly highly suggest booking a planner for that very reason.  A lot of things can go wrong if you are not local.  The wedding planners job is to make sure it does not and they have the right hook up with the locals.  Sure, booking vendors is the easy part but for it to really go smoothly I would definitely go with a wedding planner. I am a local bride and I am using a planner.  I want to make sure that everything goes accordingly.   A lot of wedding planners have their own vendors so it is assured that nothing will happen because they have a solid relationship with each other. I don't mean to be a buzz kill here but I see the worse outcomes by mainland brides not getting a local planner.  I can suggest my planner... She is amazing... Her name is Yanicke and she only has the most quality vendors on the island.  Check out her website <a href="http://www.zenjuweddingsnevents.com" rel="nofollow">www.zenjuweddingsnevents.com</a> - I love her!  She just started out so she is more economical than the other weddings planners and I think she does weddings on Maui as well. I am not sure you would have to call her.... Goodluck and if you need any help locally please let me know. I can help... Mahalo!
Posted by reneeohau[/QUOTE]

Aloha to you local bride!  I was just wondering what Island you are living on?  I don't have a wedding planner but I am also a local bride too.  I kind of have everything under control its just that i'm not that organized but i'm trying my best on my own.  I plan to have my wedding at a Park on Maui?  So I was just wondering do you think I need a WP?    Aloha my name is Pua.

kaesha

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_do-i-need-a-wedding-planner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:73Discussion:e63a3b56-251a-421c-bc18-1fdbc92e7368Post:67d061bb-a447-465a-843f-701ac26b7606">Re: Do I need a wedding planner?</a>:
[QUOTE]Aloha - I am a local bride and I thought I should tell you of many experiences with destination brides I see on my island.  Booking vendors might go smoothly but if you do not live on the island of Hawaii I highly highly suggest booking a planner for that very reason.  A lot of things can go wrong if you are not local.  The wedding planners job is to make sure it does not and they have the right hook up with the locals.  Sure, booking vendors is the easy part but for it to really go smoothly I would definitely go with a wedding planner. I am a local bride and I am using a planner.  I want to make sure that everything goes accordingly.   A lot of wedding planners have their own vendors so it is assured that nothing will happen because they have a solid relationship with each other. I don't mean to be a buzz kill here but I see the worse outcomes by mainland brides not getting a local planner.  I can suggest my planner... She is amazing... Her name is Yanicke and she only has the most quality vendors on the island.  Check out her website <a href="http://www.zenjuweddingsnevents.com" rel="nofollow">www.zenjuweddingsnevents.com</a> - I love her!  She just started out so she is more economical than the other weddings planners and I think she does weddings on Maui as well. I am not sure you would have to call her.... Goodluck and if you need any help locally please let me know. I can help... Mahalo!
Posted by reneeohau[/QUOTE]

Huh. Do you work with a lot of brides yourself to get that insight?

I ask 'cause, in the embarassing number of years I've been on the boards, not one of our DIY coordinator-free brides has come back reporting that their day went anything other than according to plan. Over the years though, we've certainly seen a fair share of drama involving coordinators though...

I just wanted to present a flip side to your experience (?). Personally, I'm so glad we didn't waste the money on a coordinator.

reneeohau

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_do-i-need-a-wedding-planner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:e63a3b56-251a-421c-bc18-1fdbc92e7368Post:01330fb3-db7b-43d2-9055-b8b8c041b411">Re: Do I need a wedding planner?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do I need a wedding planner? : Huh. Do you work with a lot of brides yourself to get that insight? I ask 'cause, in the embarassing number of years I've been on the boards, not one of our DIY coordinator-free brides has come back reporting that their day went anything other than according to plan. Over the years though, we've certainly seen a fair share of drama involving coordinators though... I just wanted to present a flip side to your experience (?). Personally, I'm so glad we didn't waste the money on a coordinator.
Posted by kaesha[/QUOTE]


Aloha - I am just helping this person who posted her comment and sharing my experience with what I see here locally on my island with destination brides.  I am not trying to down play any one just giving my insight, no need for touchiness.  No drama involved, just an opionion. Mahalo!!

reneeohau

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_do-i-need-a-wedding-planner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:e63a3b56-251a-421c-bc18-1fdbc92e7368Post:b1f7b726-3cf0-459e-9695-3c8fa512ff74">Re: Do I need a wedding planner?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do I need a wedding planner? : Aloha to you local bride!  I was just wondering what Island you are living on?  I don't have a wedding planner but I am also a local bride too.  I kind of have everything under control its just that i'm not that organized but i'm trying my best on my own.  I plan to have my wedding at a Park on Maui?  So I was just wondering do you think I need a WP?    Aloha my name is Pua.
Posted by Puananip[/QUOTE]


Aloha Pua-
I understand so much! I personally felt overwhelmed trying to do it all not to mention us local girls have demanding mothers and large families:) Trying to please everyone was killing me so I went with my planner and it has been easy breezy sailing. My only advice to you is, if you are feeling overwhelmed get a planner, if you don't like what she has to offer you then go back to doing it yourself. Its all good to try different options to make your day stress free... You will have a PONO wedding I am sure! I hope I helped!! MAHALO!

Renee

reneeohau

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_do-i-need-a-wedding-planner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:e63a3b56-251a-421c-bc18-1fdbc92e7368Post:01330fb3-db7b-43d2-9055-b8b8c041b411">Re: Do I need a wedding planner?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do I need a wedding planner? : Huh. Do you work with a lot of brides yourself to get that insight? I ask 'cause, in the embarassing number of years I've been on the boards, not one of our DIY coordinator-free brides has come back reporting that their day went anything other than according to plan. Over the years though, we've certainly seen a fair share of drama involving coordinators though... I just wanted to present a flip side to your experience (?). Personally, I'm so glad we didn't waste the money on a coordinator.
Posted by kaesha[/QUOTE]

Oh and one more thing, I just wanted to address that yes alot of weddings go quite smoothly with out a coordinator like you mentioned but I was mostly speaking of destination brides that aren't familar with Hawaii, so in that aspect it is good to go with a planner. That is all I am saying and I am happy you had a great experience with out a planner but that is not everyone's experience.  I wish I could go with out one but unfortuantely not. I don't do well with stress but thanks for sharing... Mahalo!

Jkualani

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_do-i-need-a-wedding-planner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:e63a3b56-251a-421c-bc18-1fdbc92e7368Post:0d81ecf5-e963-42fe-b31f-02cb273fd323">Re: Do I need a wedding planner?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do I need a wedding planner? : Aloha - I am just helping this person who posted her comment and sharing my experience with what I see here locally on my island with destination brides.  I am not trying to down play any one just giving my insight, no need for touchiness.  No drama involved, just an opionion. Mahalo!!
Posted by reneeohau[/QUOTE]


Renee -
I am so soooooorry for the negative response you got earlier. There was no need for that. You were just stating your opinion and I sure know I appreciate it! I am also using Yanicke from Zenju.....  She is amazing! She saved me more money going with her than doing it myself. She worked in my budget and got me the best quality vendors. I am not getting married until 12/12/12 but from what I see so far my wedding is going to look like it is a 35,000 wedding when I only paid half of that... Renee, the thing I loved the most is that I could not afford a florist, so she is going to buy local flowers and fabric which is pretty cheap and decorate the venue herself and she gets high off of this stuff... I couldn't agree more I love her and so happy I went with a planner especially because I was not living on Oahu at the time we started planning.  I do live here now tho....  Renee I left a msg for you on the other board we should meet for coffee or tea some time, since we both are getting married, have the same planner, and live on the same island. How cool is that! Good Luck to the bride that posted her question. I think with or with out a wedding planner you will be fine but like Renee said if you don't live here I would really think about getting a planner:) Congrats!