Planner & planning help

coolcatclaire

I want to hire a wedding planner.  To plan, not just coordinate-- know what I mean?  Like take over the reins.  Someone recommended bezlu to me, she is now doing weddings, and I spoke to her and I thought it went really well.  Before making that big of a commitment though I'm just wondering if anyone here has had a planner actually really plan and found it worth it (or did you just wish you had gotten a coordinator at the end) or even any experience with bezlu herself, with their own wedding. 

Also, do you think it's too early to start planning this far out for fall 2013?  I wonder if I just feel burnt out already because I started too soon.  I went dress shopping this weekend.  Totally.  Overwhelming.

louisianablue

I don't think it's too early to start planning, just because a lot of vendors get booked up quickly.  I would try to place as many deposits as you can and make decisions about specifics later.

I just hired a wedding coordinator, because I liked handling the details myself.  If you're looking to hire a full planner, I think it's important to find a planner that shares the same vision as you.  It's also really important to hire someone you trust, or it will make the process very stressful.  I think if you're having a more elaborate wedding with lots of moving parts, it definitely makes sense to hire a wedding planner.  At the very least, a coordinator will be worth their weight in gold.

Some of the planners that I looked at had an in-between package where they offered advice and vendor recommendations.  That might be a great compromise for you if you have the bandwidth to execute the planning.

NO2012

It is absolutely not too early start planning your fall 2013 wedding.  I started planning my late September 2012 wedding at this exact time last year and that really ensured I got all of the vendors I wanted and now with less than 3 months to go I am in really good shape and all of the big things have long been taken care of.  You will find that things in New Orleans get booked up crazy fast.  Get all of your big decisions (venue, date, photographer, bands (reception and second line), even hair/makeup) out of the way now and you will have some nice lulls in the planning process along the way to prevent burnout. 

I hired Kelly Sherlock (kellysherlock@hotmail.com) at this time last year.  I wanted something more than just month of coordinating, but less than full on planning and she worked with me to create a contract and pricing that gave me the middle ground I wanted.  She is very well respected and I have been very happy with her.  I highly recommend her.   It was not a cheap decision, but it has totally been worth the expense to have someone that lives there and knows all of the ins and outs.  She can pick things up for me, check them out for me and report back, and she accompanied us on venue visits and hotels for our room blocks.  I do not regret the decision at all and I know the week of the wedding she will prove to be invaluable.  Good luck!

ChrissyBeachBride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_planner-planning-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:dcba92a0-15d0-4c6f-8855-fba372cb4813Post:c4e8c1a9-ae07-43de-8682-5e540c907cb9">Planner & planning help</a>:
[QUOTE]I want to hire a wedding planner.  To plan, not just coordinate-- know what I mean?  Like take over the reins.  Someone recommended bezlu to me, she is now doing weddings, and I spoke to her and I thought it went really well.  Before making that big of a commitment though I'm just wondering if anyone here has had a planner actually really plan and found it worth it (or did you just wish you had gotten a coordinator at the end) or even any experience with bezlu herself, with their own wedding.  Also, do you think it's too early to start planning this far out for fall 2013?  I wonder if I just feel burnt out already because I started too soon.  I went dress shopping this weekend.  Totally.  Overwhelming.
Posted by coolcatclaire[/QUOTE]

I'm so sorry you're feeling this overwhelmed but like others have said I don't think you've started planning to early.  I was the opposite-- I was sure I was too late!  I've been lurking on here for months, even before we had a date.  I think once you have the major things figured out  you will feel so much better and Lu has a way of getting you focused and making it seem calm and easy. Since I recommended her to you in the first place, you already know I think she's great.  She's helped us make so many big decisions already that I feel like everything is under control.  She remembers our detaisl better than I do!  I hope you can find someone to help you feel the same way.  I suggest calling around (not just email) and then just go with your gut with someone who makes you feel confident and sees your vision.

jeffandjazzgetmarried

I'm biased because I'm working with bezlu now but she is AMAZING - she is SUPER responsive - literally will e-mail me within 30 minutes some days and is just so kind and wants to articulate my over the top glamarous dream wedding within a really really small budget

But I agree with the ladies, in the initial conversation you'll have a gut feeling/reaction to the person and you should trust that. 

coolcatclaire

Thanks, girls.  I think I was having a little bridal brain freakout!  It's good to know I'm at least on the right track time-wise.  I have calls scheduled with Bezlu and a few others next week, and I think I'll know when I'm talking to the right person.

[Deleted User]

I too have hired Bezlu! I totally trust her. Just watching her own wedding unfold here on the board I could tell how detailed oriented she is, and yes she is amazingly responsive which to me, is a top priority.

KiaSoulmates2010

Hey there! I'm glad to see that you've scheduled some call appointments with wedding planners. I'm an OOT bride and I was completely overwhelmed I was also probably driving my fianc nuts with planning the our NOLA wedding from 2,000 miles away. I think it's a good idea to have a WP help you iron out and coordinate details. It just makes the experience less stressful and more enjoyable. I went with bezlu as my wedding planner. She's been easy to talk to and is very organized! I get the sense that she deeply cares about her brides and is invested in making their wedding day very special. I'm having a small wedding and she's been nothing but amazing.