Excited to have Jordan from Ever After Planning on the blog today talking about the importance of hiring a planner! It really is money well spent! Hear more from Jordan:
Hey there! My name is Jordan, I am the founder, lead planner, and girl boss mind behind Ever After Planning Weddings + Events// a wedding and event design and coordination company based out of Dixon Illinois, but traveling near and far to help make beautiful stress free days a dream come true! One thing I see all too often, are couples who think they can handle everything for their wedding themselves, which is great! If you can handle it, run with it! However, more often than not, I get couples who are 1 year-3 months out coming to me in absolute panic and disarray because they are missing things, forgot about aspects and details that nobody thinks of, and stressed to the max. It’s your wedding day guys, don’t make it stressful, don’t let it wear on your relationship with your fiance’ or your friends (you can lose friends and bridesmaids fast this way!) So for fun, I put together a quick little quiz for you to see what kind of professional assistance you need!
Quiz Time!
//Are you already short on time as it is because of work, school, volunteering, or other important obligations?
//Do you have trouble staying organized as it is?
//Are you getting married in less than a year?
//Are you planning a destination wedding?
//Are you on a tight budget?
//Does the thought of your budget, or even thinking about having a budget, make you cringe?
//Do you need help creating your vision, aesthetic, and getting all of your details toflow together?
//Are you having a large wedding?
//Are you dreading the drama and issues that a wedding can create?
//Are you throwing a tented, offsite, multiple location wedding, or other “complicated” wedding?
Now lets analyze..
Mostly Y’s? You should totally consider a Full-Time Planner!// Full Time Planner’s can take on a large amount of responsibility as well as cut out a lot of the research, legwork, and they know what red flags to look for in vendors! If you are having a wedding with multiple locations, a destination wedding, or a wedding with a ton of details, or even a ton of people, a full time planner is a must to help you keep all of the details of your day in order, make sure your timeline is followed, and ensure that everything flows in order.
A mix of Y’s and N’s? You should look into hiring a Part-Time Planner!//This can be a more economical choice, allowing you to take the reigns on most of the legwork and details, but be there to pitch in when you need help, and be there to help your day flow as you planned!
Mostly N’s? You need a Day-Of-Coordinator!//Talk to any vendor, and they will all tell you one thing that is the same amongst all of them. Hire a day of coordinator! 1. nobody wants to bother a bride to be with details, questions, or especially issues the day of her wedding. 2. When you don’t have a coordinator, their is either a. a family member taking the role and not enjoying your wedding day. or b. your photographer or other vendor takes this role, and this takes away from their particular role. Your day of coordinator will be there with you the day of and in some cases the month prior to the wedding to ensure they know your wedding inside out, know every detail, and help you create a cohesive timeline that everyone can follow. Allowing you to enjoy your day and be stress free!
If the thought of hiring a planner, has even crossed your mind, do yourself a favor, and call one and set up an initial consult. Its free, and doesn't do any harm to sit and just chat about where you are at, and what they can offer you. Many planners offer a wide array of packages, or can custom build you a package to fit your particular needs. As with any vendor, ask for references and referrals because anyone can claim to be a planner, but true wedding planners have references and referrals from past clients and other vendors. You don’t want to put your wedding in the hands of someone who is giving it their first go around. Also, make sure that this person clicks with your personality. You will be around your planner a lot. You will be constantly in contact about what is inevitably one of the biggest parties you will ever throw, so make sure that you can get along and can laugh, because you need to be able to laugh, especially when planning a wedding!
To set up an initial consult with Ever After Planning, you can contact us at 815.994.3018 or by email at jordan@everafterplanning.com
As always, Happy Planning!
xoxo-Jordan
