(This article first appeared in the June print issue of the Hendersonian)
The wedding date is set! Now it’s time to plan. Planning a significant event like a wedding can be daunting, whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration. From choosing the perfect venue to picking the right menu, there are many aspects to consider to make your big day unforgettable.
When planning a wedding, budgeting is a challenge. Start by assessing your finances and figuring out a realistic spending limit. To avoid overspending on your wedding, creating a comprehensive budget that considers all expenses is essential. Allocate specific amounts for each major component. Ask photographers, caterers, florists and musicians in your area for price lists and promotional materials to get an idea of how much they charge. While professional photographers, limousine providers and DJs may charge similar fees for similar packages, cake and florist costs may vary significantly.
If you don’t have a corporate party planning or public relations background, just conceiving about how to begin planning a big event on a budget can leave you stressed to the max. While calling friends may help, you might consider hiring a wedding planning professional. Before you make any decisions, it’s essential to understand what wedding planners do and how much they typically charge for their services. By researching, you can determine whether or not hiring a wedding planner is a feasible option for your budget. There are two basic kinds of wedding planners: consultants and coordinators. There is a world of difference between the two, both in price and the level of service they provide.
The professional wedding consultant approaches weddings from administrative and creative perspectives. As administrator, they are the detail person, creating and updating files, giving your contracts a careful look before you sign, tracking your finances, and keeping everyone on schedule on your wedding day. A good consultant will do the detective work and know your local wedding industry like the back of her hand. She’s like a concierge at the Ritz: one fast tap in her contact list reveals the perfect venue and the contact information of a fabulous caterer. Hidden add-ons are unearthed, and bewildering contracts won’t be a problem. They create the overall ambiance of the wedding, know the most creative vendors and match you with them according to your wants, needs and budget.
A competent consultant will put you on a monthly planning schedule, educate you about what services and products cost and guide you in creating a reasonable budget. She will offer insider tips on saving money and making a payment schedule so you can track your disbursements. A consultant advises you before the wedding on all facets of the process, including the structure and the timing of the event; she brings your wedding vision to life. Most consultants charge a flat fee for their services. She’ll charge you for the first meeting. After that initial consultation, she can offer a range of costs for your chosen services.
A wedding coordinator has the skills of a polished diplomat and can quietly and effectively make things happen while operating behind the scenes at your wedding and reception. A coordinator makes sure your wedding day goes smoothly from beginning to end.
Finally, the wedding director performs the critical task of directing the ceremony and logistics on the wedding day. They have no role before the wedding day other than to learn the details planned/coordinated for them to execute. A ceremony director at a church fits this title perfectly. My Love Note: No matter the task, hiring a professional is one of the best ways to save time and money.
Pem Pfisterer Clark has been hosting the nationally syndicated radio show “Wedding Planning With Pem” for over 20 years. The show provides valuable advice, insider tips, etiquette and money-saving ideas to listeners across the country. Bill Stevens Stark is the executive producer of the show.
