Whether you’re planning a wedding, mitzvah, or any event in between, the thought of working with a planner has likely crossed your mind. And, for great reason! Sometimes planners guide clients throughout their entire process of planning their event, while others focus on one specific piece. They team up with you to make sure every question has an answer and every detail has a place. The goal of a planner, no matter the service level, is for you to find peace of mind and a sense of enjoyment before, during, and after your event.
Of course, even the most helpful of services has a price associated, and that includes working with a planner. If you’re wondering if working with a planner is worth the investment or how you might be able to fit working with a planner into your event’s budget, keep reading below. We’re diving into both (and much more)!
View a Planner as an Investment:
As we mentioned above, working with an event planner will provide you (and everyone around you!) with peace of mind.
Event planners are always ready to ask the questions that are on your mind and a number of additional questions you may not have thought about yet. They know the ins and outs of working with vendors, and they can save you time with their recommendations and prior research. They’re also going to act as a team captain on your wedding day to guide you, your family, and your guests throughout your entire day. Plus, they’re going to direct your group of professionals.
The fact that you will have someone guiding you through the day might just be worth the investment alone!
Choose a Defined Service:
Most event planners offer a variety of different services. You may be tempted to work with a planner from the moment you get engaged. But, the reality is you might also be comfortable contacting vendors on your own and deciding on a stylistic direction for your day. If that’s the case, opting for partial wedding planning or even just month of coordination instead of full service planning will save room in your budget for other things on your list. No matter which option you choose, you will still have the benefit of working with a planner on the day of your event (and well in advance!).
Rank Your Must-Haves:
When you first start planning your event, everything may feel like something you must do. But, that’s likely not the case when you think more about the look and feel you’re hoping to create at your event. In order to decide how to allocate your budget, think about what’s most important to you. Then rank your top 3-5 must-haves.
For example, photography, catering, and florals may top your list, while videography, a band, and stationery might not feel as important. The areas that are not toping your list are typically areas where you can save.
Knowing what’s important will help to guide you as you allocate your budget throughout planning.
Review Options:
There is space within the events industry for each and every type of budget, including yours! When you’re contacting vendors, be honest about what you hope to spend. Then, be open to the options each group recommends.
For example, being careful to include in-season flowers versus those that will need to be flown in from other countries will help you to spend less on florals. Choosing to shop online for stationery versus working with a designer on custom pieces will help. Opting to have a DJ play instead of a multiple piece band can have an impact. You can also review different types of serving styles with your caterer in order to spend less.
There are so many options to make sure your event is catered to your budget, and event professionals are typically happy to help to guide you!
Update Your Guest List:
Your guest list has the greatest impact on your overall wedding budget, so make sure to create your list with honesty! In order to make room in your budget for a planner or any other type of service, detail, or professional, consider trimming your list even slightly.
There’s always a chance a percentage of your invited guests won’t be able to attend, but your best bet is to only invite the maximum number of people you can afford within your budget. If people can’t come, that’s a savings. But, if they do, you’re not facing anxiety because you’re well within what you hoped to spend anyway.
Contact me today to talk about saving space within your budget to work with a planner!
