Clichéd expectations and misconceptions about wedding planning are quite common, so we thought we’d take this opportunity for a good clear up – at least with the most popular of the myths.
Wedding planners are like the movies
(think J-Lo or Frank)
No, they are most definitely not. Whilst we hate to burst your bubble, we must tell you that any type of event management is serious business. It requires a methodical approach, a love (and almost obsession) with details, finely honed skills in budget analysis, time management and negotiation and I’m sure we don’t have to tell you that a knack of communication and handling people doesn’t hurt either. It’s not an easy job, often demanding long hours, flexibility and endless patience, but if you love it, all of the above is worth seeing the blissfully happy faces of the couples whose dreams you have helped come true.
Wedding planners are expensive
This may be true for some, but with our mix & match approach you can pick which areas you need help with and tailor our services so they won’t break the bank. Quite often, we even manage to save a pound or two by negotiating and knowing the best sources. And don’t forget, our hourly pricing structure is entirely transparent so you know exactly what commitment you are entering into before making the decision to work with us.
Wedding planners are a solely American phenomenon
It is true that in the US, about 90% of couples would never even think of planning a wedding without enlisting the help of a wedding planner. This is less of a reflection of their culture and has more to do with their approach to customer services. Here in the UK, we meanwhile get our shopping delivered and our cars washed, yet we still think we should be able to plan an event as important as our wedding without prior experience. And pull off the magic trick of being event manager and guest of honour on the day itself. Something’s got to give in that equation! Americans have just been a tad quicker off the mark in realising this and the rising number of couples in the UK working with a wedding planner shows that it’s the way forward.
We will lose control of our day
Not with us. It is YOUR day and we would never want to take that away by imposing our vision on you. We will of course give you our honest opinion if you ask us to, the way a good friend would. But ultimately, whatever happens on the day is your choice and it is our job to make it happen.
Only posh people use wedding planners
Another common misconception. The people who enlist the help of a wedding planner come from all walks of life but tend to have one thing in common: they simply do not have enough time to do it all themselves. As we’ve mentioned before, it takes an average of 300 hours to plan a wedding. For people who work full time, this would mean having to spend every spare second researching suppliers, pouring over brochures, obtaining quotes, comparing prices, monitoring the budget - to name but a few. Whilst this starts off being great fun, it can soon turn into a chore, which leads to frazzled nerves and unhappy couples. And it really needn’t be like that.
Our venue already has a wedding coordinator
If you have a dedicated contact at your venue, that’s excellent news and they may well be able to take a lot of the time-consuming aspects off your shoulders. All we’d say is: bear in mind they work for the venue, not for you, and will by definition have to put the interests of their employer first.
How do we know which wedding planner is right for us
How long is a piece of string… Most importantly, we’d say you have to connect and, at best, almost feel like you have met a friend. Of course you need to look at the way they conduct their business so you can be assured you are working with a competent professional. But, even with the best qualifications in the world, if you don’t click with your potential wedding planner and don’t feel at ease with them, you should keep looking. Most wedding planners offer complimentary first consultations, so go meet them, let your head guide you and your gut decide - there’s a perfect planner for everyone!
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