Is a wedding planner necessary?

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

I am just beginning ot the planning journey. So many freinds and family are asking if I have chosen a wedding planner yet...to be honest, it has never crossed my mind.

Is this something that is necessary? Can I get by without one or is this something I should consider?

Can someone please reccommend some?

Thanks!

SB1512 · February 2012

does your venue offer a wedding coordinator? are any of your BM experienced with weddings? My venue has a coordinator that I'll keep in touch with throughout the year and my MOH has been in 9 weddings and was MOH in 5 of those weddings, so I am not hiring a wedding planner. I figured between the experience my MOH has and having the wedding coordinator at our venue things should be fine.

MoonlightSilver · February 2012

I've chosen not to have a wedding planner. I'm pretty sure my venue offers a coordinator the day off my wedding.

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_is-a-wedding-planner-necessary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:e1022761-c877-461b-9385-784c1efdb672Post:cf805fc5-6cde-428e-ba83-39fe33fb2647">Re: Is a wedding planner necessary?</a>:
[QUOTE]does your venue offer a wedding coordinator? are any of your BM experienced with weddings? My venue has a coordinator that I'll keep in touch with throughout the year and my MOH has been in 9 weddings and was MOH in 5 of those weddings, so I am not hiring a wedding planner. I figured between the experience my MOH has and having the wedding coordinator at our venue things should be fine.
Posted by SB1512[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, my venue does offer a wedding coordinator but I wasn't sure if that would be sufficient. One of my bridesmaids has been a bridesmaid a ton of times. I'm pretty much winging it and using you Knotties for my help :)</div>

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_is-a-wedding-planner-necessary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:e1022761-c877-461b-9385-784c1efdb672Post:d3637252-d34e-4da7-b837-b416e48e97ae">Re: Is a wedding planner necessary?</a>:
[QUOTE]I've chosen not to have a wedding planner. I'm pretty sure my venue offers a coordinator the day off my wedding.
Posted by MoonlightSilver[/QUOTE]

<div>I also have a coordinator...is there a huge difference between what they do?</div>

RIFallBride · February 2012

You may want to consider a day of coordinator (DOC) depending on the complexity of your wedding, ie separate location for ceremony and reception. They are not as involved as a wedding planner but a compromise between a wedding planner and relying on the venue coordinator. The day of coordinator works with your free of charge over the phone/email leading up the wedding and then attends final meetings with you and the rehearsal. They are essentially looking out for you on your day and ensuring it goes off as you envisioned.

The coordinator from the venue will be there to assist but at the end of the day they are representing the venue and will not always consider your requests first. By no means is it necessary, it all depends on your comfort level with your venues and if your family is willing to help. There are several posts below on DOC, the costs is much lower than I expected

MoonlightSilver · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_is-a-wedding-planner-necessary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:e1022761-c877-461b-9385-784c1efdb672Post:a5c88199-c6ae-4845-83d6-cdf91fc5c330">Re: Is a wedding planner necessary?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is a wedding planner necessary? : I also have a coordinator...is there a huge difference between what they do?
Posted by s_hazeleyes[/QUOTE]

<div>I honestly have no idea. I believe a Planner would help you get vendors and plan things as the months go by, where as a Day of Coordinator only helps with what happens the day of the wedding. But I could be wrong.</div>

cdbishop · February 2012

A coordinator at the venue is there to help with the logistics of the venue, I know mine will set everything up so I don't have to worry about that. A wedding planner will be there for everything in your process to help you find vendors and gather ideas for your decor etc.

I am not using a wedding planner because I don't think the added expense is necessary. If you want some suggestions for planners I'm sure there are several you can get off these boards. I found all my vendors from these boards with the help of all the girls and their recommendations. So like you said, this board has been like my wedding planner.

DiLynn83 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_is-a-wedding-planner-necessary?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:e1022761-c877-461b-9385-784c1efdb672Post:ae2c7d04-4251-4b0e-a39e-1fe7b7664849">Re: Is a wedding planner necessary?</a>:
[QUOTE]You may want to consider a day of coordinator (DOC) depending on the complexity of your wedding, ie separate location for ceremony and reception. They are not as involved as a wedding planner but a compromise between a wedding planner and relying on the venue coordinator. The day of coordinator works with your free of charge over the phone/email leading up the wedding and then attends final meetings with you and the rehearsal. They are essentially looking out for you on your day and ensuring it goes off as you envisioned. The coordinator from the venue will be there to assist but at the end of the day they are representing the venue and will not always consider your requests first. By no means is it necessary, it all depends on your comfort level with your venues and if your family is willing to help. There are several posts below on DOC, the costs is much lower than I expected
Posted by RIFallBride[/QUOTE]

I totally agree with this. I hired a DOC and even though I'm doing the bulk of the planning, just knowing I have someone there (a wedding professional someone, not like my mom or my aunt, KWIM?) "just in case" has totally put me at ease. My DOC has helped me figure out logistics, recommended vendors, and she's helped keep me organized. I'm on a pretty tight budget, but it's worth every penny IMO.

rswan412 · February 2012

I also have a coordinator at the reception location- but we decided we needed a DOC to help out with the logistics at the church and to oversee my reception location. One of the other brides that got married at the Aquarium (our location) told me that they really only coordinate the food part, and the rest is kind of up in the air, so I decided hiring a DOC was worth it. Not full wedding planning, I can do that myself!

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

Thank you ladies. I am leaning towards just relying on my coordinator. I think I can manage without.

Tamimi85 · January 2013

I've heard friends mention that good planners have relationships with vendors and can save you money. Is this the case with any planners in CT?

Is a wedding planner necessary?

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