When it comes to planning a wedding, no bride wants to run up additional expenses, but what if the single add-on of a wedding planner could point you in the right direction for everything from florists to photographers?
Planners can also run interference between the couple and opinionated relatives while simultaneously averting potential disasters on the big day.
According to TheKnot.com & WeddingChannel.com 2011 Real Weddings Study, 19 percent of 18,000 newly married couples surveyed employed a wedding planner.
That number has held steady since 2008, says Anja Winikka, editor of The Knot.com, who points out that hiring a planner doesn’t need to be an “all-or-nothing” experience.
While some planners can supply a bride with everything but the groom, many also offer partial-planning services as well as day-of coordination. Fees, depending on location and level of involvement, can range from $250 to more than $15,000, industry experts say.
Wedding planners can give a busy bride a break and some much-needed breathing room, but are they a necessity or a luxury?
Expertise Can Save Time and Money
April Chantel of April Chantel Weddings and Event Companysays while it might seem counterintuitive for brides on a budget to consider hiring a wedding planner, party coordinators as industry insiders are often privy to discounts.