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What is a Wedding Event Planner?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,909
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A wedding event planner plans and organizes weddings. Most wedding event planners have their own small business. Some wedding planners also cater other events such as corporate parties. A wedding event planner meets with clients and works with them to plan and organize the wedding they want.

Budget is usually the first thing a wedding event planner establishes so that he or she knows what limitations to keep within when choosing items such as flowers and hiring people such as photographers. Once the budget is worked out, wedding planners create of list of everything to buy and do before the wedding day with deadline dates for each item. Being able to stay organized and meet deadlines is extremely important for all wedding event planners. All the details from the ring pillow to wedding favors to hiring a band to guest parking have to be overseen by wedding planners.

During his or her years in the wedding planning business, the planner builds up a network of suppliers such as florists, photographers, videographers and musicians. Using the same pool of trustworthy vendors means the wedding event planner doesn’t have to find new suppliers for each wedding. Also, by dealing with the same vendors regularly, wedding planners often get a discount rate which raises their profit margin per event as well as lets them pass some of the savings onto clients to keep competitive with their prices.

Good service providers are essential to a wedding planner since planners oversee everything rather than do each individual job needed in weddings. Some wedding event planners set tables or arrange flowers. A wedding planner may attend the wedding to handle last minute details and emergencies. The exact duties a wedding event planner does vary and should be specified in each client contract.

Wedding event planners have different fee structures. They may prefer to be paid a percentage of the wedding’s total cost. Some wedding planners charge by the hour, while others have a flat project fee. Most event planners for weddings or other events require some money in advance with the rest due at agreed upon times during the planning process.

A wedding planner doesn't usually help the bride choose her dress, but may do so if the bride requests it. Each wedding is unique in the exact services that are needed. Wedding event planners have to be friendly, helpful and patient. They need to listen to what the clients want and be able to calm anxious brides. A wedding event planner may have a diploma in wedding coordination or just be knowledgeable and experienced in how to plan and organize weddings.

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Discussion Comments
By googie98 — On Oct 21, 2010

@waterhopper: When planning your wedding, keep in mind that it is one of the biggest days of your life. For that reason, you want to make sure that your wedding planner meets your standards. I would suggest writing down a list of questions that you want to ask and call around before you make your final determination on who to hire.

Some of the things that are important to know are: Do they have a list of professional florists, photographers, caterers, bands, and deejays on hand? Can they find the best prices? Can they commit to the budget that is comfortable to you? Do they handle the vendor contracts? Do they do your invitations for you? Will they help counsel on etiquette if needed? Do they oversee the entire wedding event and make sure things go smoothly? Are you equipped to handle last minute emergencies? Do you charge hourly, a flat rate or a percentage? What is the largest wedding you have managed?

That list may seem like a lot but you want your wedding to be perfect. That is what you are paying them for.

By WaterHopper — On Oct 21, 2010

What are some of the things to consider when hiring a wedding planner?

By CarrotIsland — On Oct 21, 2010

@boathugger: Different wedding planners take on different tasks. I have been a wedding planner for 13 years and on several occasions have also planned the honeymoon. Some wedding planners like to stick to just the wedding.

If my staff and I are completely swamped and can’t put in enough adequate time to assist in the planning of the honeymoon, we will refer our clients to a travel agency that we work with. We have three different travel agencies that we work closely with to provide our clients with the best experience possible.

By BoatHugger — On Oct 21, 2010

My fiance and I are getting married in a few months and we are hoping to be able to budget in a wedding planner. My question is: Do wedding planners also help plan your honeymoon if you need them to or do they strictly do your wedding?

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