So What Does A Wedding Planner Do?

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This is an article written by Wedding Industry Analyst Christine Boulton of Think Like A Bride.  It is a perfect description of a wedding planner.

Enjoy!!

So What Does A Wedding Planner Do?

Yesterday I staged with one of the very best wedding planners around. Do not ask me to either walk or smile today, I can do neither. I put in about four days worth in 12 hours .

The skill set needed to be a good event planner is enormous. If we took the top 20 wedding planners in America and gave them the UN I am convinced they could turn the world into the garden of Eden (before that whole apple fiasco).

First you must be an organizational whiz and a logistics wizard. The planner is responsible for juggling the acquisition of goods and services from 10 or more vendors. And those are just the main ones. Yesterday there were the venue, three rental companies, the florists, the baker and the draping company; the caterer, two sets of musicians, the lighting crew, the limo, the photographer and the videographer. Just like the general contractor on a building project, the planner is responsible for ensuring that each vendor arrives in the proper order. For instance, if the baker were scheduled to arrive before the rental company had arrived to set up tables and linen the baker would not be a happy camper. Or if the group pictures are scheduled before the bouquets are slated to arrive you have an angry bride. Add to this that at least three of the vendors will call and want to change their delivery time because of other weddings. Ok, now remember that sometimes the window for all this can be as little as four hours. I have actually seen it done in less than that but IT WAS NOT PRETTY.
Also on the organizational front, is stuff. Stuff that you would never in a million years think of, but a good planner has packed in the trunk of her car. Ok, some stuff you may have thought of like extra panty hose and aspirin and a steamer for the dress. How about surgical tape for the bridesmaid that thought her boobs needed a little more lift. (could I make that up, people?) How about a cigar cutter for the two-dozen Cuban cigars the best man wanted to pass out. I think David Copperfield lives in her trunk and just makes stuff appear as needed.
Another skill needed to be a great planner is the ability to be a time-line enforcement cop without being a witch about it. Days before the event the planner and the bride hammer out a time-line to keep the event rolling. As you plan your wedding you will begin to notice things like overtime charges and hourly rates, that is why your planner has to be on top of it. The day of the event, the bride, the groom, the bridal party and every parent involved refuses to acknowledge that time even exists. Weddings do not come with an infinite time frame. You have given the planner a list of things you wish to take place at your wedding, let her get them done in a fashion that won’t rush either you or your guests yet doesn’t leave anything out.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. Unlike other vendors, your planner is the de facto hostess of your wedding and reception. As she juggles multiple vendors and guest, smoothes out any wrinkles in the fabric of time and sees to the needs of one and all present she does it in heels with a smile on her face. NO MATTER WHAT. No matter what else happens that day, a great planner must exhibit the diplomatic skills Solomon could only hope to possess. That is a large part of the job.
There is good reason why wedding planners earn their keep. The things they do that no one sees are the little things that can make a good party great. It’s the little things that you don’t even notice unless they aren’t there.

After Bridal Show Survival

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You’ve enjoyed the bridal shows.  Met and talked with a lot of vendors, collected their cards and information, tasted cakes and sampled some of the best foods from top-notch caterers.  You’ve seen the newest fashions in bridal attire and smelled dozens of flowers.  Are you overwhelmed yet?

The second half of bridal show survival begins when the vendors receive the list of your names, contact information; everything you wrote down when you registered. ( Yes, there was a reason for registering.)  Many vendors will use this list to contact you to introduce themselves to you again, offer a consultation, a discount, etc.  (yes, I’m one of them sometimes).  This may be very irritating  to you, but try not to let it bother you too much.   Take their name and number and listen to what they may be offering.  Keep the e-mails you will most likely receive.  Then, using the information from the vendors you spoke with at the shows, decide which ones you would like to meet with.  Throw all the others away.  If you have already hired a vendor, say so if you receive a call and delete the e-mails.

Of course, I do have to throw this in–hire a wedding planner.  The sooner the better, but be sure to do some research on them first.  Not all planners/coordinators are wedding planners.   A professional wedding planner is not a “we do it all”.  We are planners.  We know the vendors and we know what it takes to plan your wedding and to follow through to the very end.  I will post more on this subject later.

Good luck brides.  Choose your vendors well.

Thought You Might Want to See What Goes Into Your Reception Before You Arrive

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I thought you might like to see just how hard your vendors work for you to set up your reception.  Remember, we usually only have 2 hours before your guest arrive to finish everything.

Video courtesy of  Panache Event Group ”Party with Panache” San Antonio, TX

Bridal Show Survival

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Bridal shows are beginning this month!  That means you will have the chance to meet a lot of different vendors from your area.  Be sure to taste everything the caterers, bakers, chocolate fountains have to offer.   This is one of the best parts of the shows.  You also do not want to miss the gown showing.  Even if you have your gown or know which gown you plan to buy, the gown showings are always breath-taking and worth staying for.

As much fun as all bridal shows are, they can be overwhelming;  especially by the end of the show.

  • Some tips which may help is to begin by having  a large bag with you to collect business cards, brochures, price lists, and anything the vendors are giving away.  Most venues hosting the show will provide you with one.
  • Walk around and take a quick look at all the vendor tables.  Then make another round, talking and collecting information only from vendors you are really interested in; talk to at least 3 photographers, florists, etc.
  • If any of the vendors you are interested in are offering a discount just for making and keeping an appointment, make the appointment.  Vendors, especially the really good ones, will book fast.
  • DO NOT pay any vendor who asks for a deposit or a retainer for any reason. (even if it is refundable)
  • Take your time, enjoy yourself.  Bring your groom, your mother, your maid of honor.
  • Make labels with your name, wedding date, phone number, and e-mail address.  When you visit a vendor who wants your information, you can simply use one of the labels.  I recommend two sheets.

When you get home, look through all the information you have collected.  Select, say, 3 photographers; first choice, second choice, and third choice.   Make an appointment with your first choice ASAP.  Again, vendors book very quickly.

BE PREPARED:  Since you will usually need to register for shows, vendors will receive a list of all the brides.  You can expect to receive calls and/or e-mails from some of the vendors.  This is not necessary a bad thing, you may find a vendor you had missed at the show.

Welcome!

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The purpose of this blog is to educate, entertain and share some wedding stories.  I thought this would be the best time to start, as it is the end of the wedding season for 2010.  Some vendors are taking a well deserved rest; most are preparing for the 2011 wedding season.  Over the next few weeks, I will be discussing some topics which I hope will help you manoeuver through the process of planning your perfect wedding day.  I invite you to join me.

I plan to post as often as time permits.  My last wedding for this year will be November 20, 2010.  As with all the weddings I plan, I am looking forward to this one with the same excitement as I have for each wedding.  I have found that there is something special about each of my brides.  This November bride is special to me because when we went gown shopping, she actually cried once we found her perfect gown.  I can not wait for the groom to see her coming down the aisle!