Hi guys! I wanted to ask for... Clarification I suppose on the amount of work a wedding planner is supposed to put in. I'm 40 days away from the wedding and I feel like she hasn't done a thing.
I paid for my wedding planner's "Ultimate package" thinking I wouldn't have to do any real footwork as far as calling vendors, finding supplies, decor planning, timeline/budget assistance... The package details (no more detailed in her contract):
Full event planning and Support
- Idea conceptualization consultations
- Venue search and selection
- Vendor sourcing & appointment support
- Timeline assistance
- Budget management
- Photography/videography checklist
- Website creation & support
- Registry assistance
- Shower planning & support
- RSVP tracking & guest management
- Travel assistance planning
- Day before, day of, & day after event support
But so far, here's what has happened:
Her Contributions:
1. Given me a small list of potential vendors with basic information and opinions (literally "$","$$","$$$" as prices and "[this vendor] is more traditional in their pieces" type commentary)
2. Met with me two times (once initially and again only when I asked her to); and answer etiquette and "where could I get this" type questions, and "have you thought about linens, china, [insert small detail here]" reminders, and one "you should stay under [this] price when you get a quote from the florist" budget recommendation
My Contributions:
1. Did all the work calling vendors and getting prices and availability (as well as finding other vendors off the tiny list when those didn't meet my needs)
2. Researching/pricing where to find certain supplies (like ribbon for DIY bows, vases for the florist to lower the price, etc)
3. Finding/calling/pricing secondary vendors she didn't include like linen rentals, invitations/stationary suppliers/printers, tux rentals, etc
4. Finding/pricing secondary suppliers for things the vendors don't have in the proper colors, 5. Measuring chairs and tables for linens and meeting with the venue to coordinate all that
Like, she hasn't taken an ACTIVE role in the wedding planning. I understand I have to do things like decide on what I want for catering, whether or not I want my Bridesmaids/Groomsmen to walk separate, if I want satin or organza bows, etc, but I wasn't expecting to have to do all the leg work.
Additionally, I feel like if I were to text her or ask to meet with her she'd be happy to, but don't feel like she's been an ACTIVE support. I was expecting relatively weekly texts from, "Hey, I called so-and-so vendor, they're available for your date, here's their quote," to "Hey, have you decided on the order of service yet? You should let your preacher know by next week" and "What's the relative number of guests your expecting? I need to know to figure out how many tables you'll need" or "I found a couple of places that will print those custom invitations you designed, here's quotes for them, you should have them off to the printer by [this date]" or "Have you double checked to see if the groomsmen have gotten their suits sized? You should let them know they only have two weeks left." or "Hey, weekly checkup! What have you decided on this week, any updates, any questions?" I'VE been keeping up with my timeline, I'VE been keeping up with my numbers and budget, I'VE been keeping in contact with my vendors.
Ive already contacted her asking to renegotiate our contract since a lot of her ultimate package services (like shower planning [we didn't have one], website assistance [used the knot.com templates, travel assistance [can't afford a honeymoon]) have gone to waste. It's taken every effort for me not to say something upsetting to the effect of "I feel like I've done all the work here and you haven't done a thing". I KNOW I'll need her day before, DAY OF, and day after, but I'm just worried at this point because I haven't seen her do anything. All the vendors spoke highly of her, I just haven't seen it yet.
Be dead honest, (I'm being sincere, not asking a loaded question) was I expecting too much to have an active wedding planner who contacts me and does all the running (not the other way around), or are wedding planners supposed to be more passive and only do anything if you ask them to?