Anyone using a full service wedding planner? (Not just a DOC.)

FlintstonePearl

Hi ladies,
Would you please share your experience with a full service planner? What makes him/her worth the investment for you? What are you paying (approximately) for his/her service? I'm especially interested in their work with your vendors. Did your planner:

Negotiate better than published rates for your venue, catering, decor, etc? 
Help you create a detailed budget?
Run around and meet with vendors on  you behalf?

I'm in Boston and just decided to have a Genesee County wedding in three months. I'm trying to determine how much planning support I will need to pull it off.

Thanks in advance for your reply!
 

Sue-n-Kevin

We only used a DOC.

You might have more luck using the Michigan-Lansing board too. I think brides from the Flint area use both.

That's a pretty tight timeframe. With the use of the internet, I think most brides are able to find the same deals that a full service wedding planner would offer. But trying to find them in a 3 month period is a different story.

Here are the wedding planners on the Knot site: http://www.theknot.com/Vendors/Detroit-Wedding-Planners/Profiles/WCS/044. If money is no object, I know Emerald Designs is fabulous.

Also, check www.weddingchannel.com for vendor reviews by brides. Wedding planners is an option on their vendor page for the Detroit area.

Good luck.

FlintstonePearl

Thanks for the tips!

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_anyone-using-a-full-service-wedding-planner-not-just-a-doc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:88Discussion:a58d5f90-a0f0-49a8-81bc-44397dc376c8Post:f4261c04-a264-4755-b6d6-08acebe4db93">Re: Anyone using a full service wedding planner? (Not just a DOC.)</a>:
[QUOTE]We only used a DOC. You might have more luck using the Michigan-Lansing board too. I think brides from the Flint area use both. That's a pretty tight timeframe. With the use of the internet, I think most brides are able to find the same deals that a full service wedding planner would offer. But trying to find them in a 3 month period is a different story. Here are the wedding planners on the Knot site: <a href="http://www.theknot.com/Vendors/Detroit-Wedding-Planners/Profiles/WCS/044">http://www.theknot.com/Vendors/Detroit-Wedding-Planners/Profiles/WCS/044</a> . If money is no object, I know Emerald Designs is fabulous. Also, check <a href="http://www.weddingchannel.com" rel="nofollow">www.weddingchannel.com</a> for vendor reviews by brides. Wedding planners is an option on their vendor page for the Detroit area. Good luck.
Posted by Sue-n-Kevin[/QUOTE]

mlynn1223

We used one but it has turned into being just a DOC, although I think I am still paying for a whole event planner.  They charge 5% of the total cost, excluding clothing, rings and honeymoon, and will do everything.  I am a control freak so asked them to do some things but ultimately did my own thing as well and went with what I wanted.  

They have been nice but communication has been a little slow and I'm not exactly sure it is worth the money.  I am hoping day of it become worth it.  They did not get me any deals on anything.  

They did have a lot of paperwork to help you organize but I did my budget myself.  They never offered to do this.  You can do a lot over the internet and phone calls but 3 months is a short time period.  Do you have anybody close that you can trust to actually go look at places and meet with people?  That would be a much cheaper alternative.  

If you would like the info PM me and I will gladly give it to you.  

dawnleanna1

We are using a full service wedding planner. We are putting together a wedding in 5 months, so her help has been crucial. So far she has attended all of my appts with me, gave me some great referrals and got me some decents deals on stuff. She has also worked out our timeline and all that too. She also checks in with me now and then to see if everything is on track and has located everything for me that I asked. I chose to do our own budget because that works better for us. She has 3 different packages, and worked out a custom package for us based on our budget. Not sure if they work up in the Flint area but if you want, message me and I can give you their info.