What Does a Wedding Planner Do?

I have come in contact with some people who don't understand what a wedding planner really does. I have heard one person ask with sincere honesty that with the money a planner charges, does the planner go out and buy the decoration and items for the wedding with that money. No. If that was the case then the planner would be working for free and would only be a personal shopper. That's just like hiring an interior designer and expecting them to buy the furnishings with the money you pay them. That logic doesn't make sense. When you go to a car repair shop, the shop charges a service fee or labor fee. Its the charge for the repairman to do the repair. Its the same with a wedding planner. The fee that a wedding planner charges is a service or labor fee. The bride pays for the wedding planner's expertise, ideas, time and energy.

Now what all a wedding planner's duties consist of differs from person to person. Some planners offer different packages which includes different things. For the most part, the job of a wedding planner is to guide the bride through all wedding decisions which includes:

• wedding style consultation
• provide a list of preferred vendors
• assist on vendor visits
• review all vendor contracts and confirmation with all vendors
• professional management of wedding day itinerary, vendors, and wedding party
• assist with reception set up along with vendors
• assist with send-off which includes appointing responsibilities to have tux returned, bride's dress given to mom, etc.  

Some other duties may include personal shopping. Only in this case would the wedding planner actually go and buy decoration and items for wedding with money given to planner by the customer. This money is outside of the fee the planner charges for services. Also the planner can do the invitations, thank you cards, and help with registry. Usually these are additional charges. 

The planning can be done with most or all the bride's input. Or the bride can explain what type of wedding they want, trust that the planner can make their vision come to life and let the planner make all the decisions and the bride just shows up on the wedding day.  The planner can do as much or as little according to what the bride desires. Those decisions are agreed upon at the signing of the contract between the bride and planner.  

So with that being said, when setting a price for their services planners have to know their worth and every aspect that goes into planning; the time, effort, and gas driving around all over town. This is what brides need to consider when evaluating the fee wedding planners charge. 

Bottom line, the planner works for the bride. The bride is the employer and the planner is the employee. The planner charges per their expertise and experience. Being a wedding planner is a tedious tasks that requires the planner to be able to handle multiple personalities and ever-changing minds. My goal as a wedding planner is to help alleviate the stress that wedding planning may cause. I want to put the joy back into planning joyous occasions.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

$1500 Wedding

I challenged myself to plan a elegant chic wedding with a budget of $1500. This does not include the rings or the honeymoon. The wedding is being planned with 100 guests in mind with actually 75 being in attendance. When you are reading this please proceed with an open mind and remember this couple only has $1500 to spend; therefore, some of the things will be unconventional. 

Here is the breakdown budget for each category: 

                              SUGGESTED %          BUDGET

Reception                     45%                        $675

Ceremony                     2.7%                     $40.50

Apparel bride                 8%.                        $120

Apparel groom.            .60%.                         $9

Photographer                 7%.                       $105

Videographer                 5%.                         $75

Flowers                          7%.                       $105

Music                          6.25%.                    $93.75

Stationery                      3%.                        $45

Accessories.                1.5%.                      $22.50

Gifts                             1.5%.                     $22.50

Transportation              2.5%.                     $37.50

Beauty                        .70%.                      $10.50

Other                            7%.                        $105

Overages                    2.25%.                    $33.75

TOTAL                        100%.                     $1500

For the bride I found a dress on clearance at David's Bridal for $99, shoes on clearance at Dillards, jewelry at ICING for BOGO, and veil on Etsy.com bringing my apparel bride's total to $147.39. Over budget. 

For the groom: Men's Warehouse has a special when 5 tux rentals are paid in full the groom's tux rental is free! My cost for grooms apparel is $0. Under budget. 

Beauty: The bride will get her makeup done by a professional at a makeup counter such as MAC for free. The mani/pedi and hair will be done by a student cosmetologist all for $51. Over budget. 

Photographer/Videography:  Once again we will take advantage of professional students. View some of the portfolios of photographer and videographer students. You will be very surprised by their work. They would be thrilled for the opportunity to add to their portfolio for free. You would maybe have to pay for the printing of the pictures and DVD of the wedding. Free. Under budget. 

Music: Create a playlist on your iPod or other device. Assign a responsible person to operate and switch to the songs picked out for each part of the reception. Free. And for the wedding ceremony, the church choir, soloist, or talented friend can sing at the ceremony. Free. Under budget. 

Stationary: DIY invitations and DIY programs purchased at Walmart for $70.19. Over budget. 

Accessories: This includes flower girl baskets, ring bearer pillow, aisle runner, cake knife set, and toasting flutes all for $49.03 from Walmart. Over budget. 

Gifts: The bride will give her attendants monogram luggage tags or keychains purchased at Etsy.com for $30. Most men don't care about little things like this so I suggest the groom pay the tab for the first round of drinks for his attendants. Over budget. 

Transportation: The couple will borrow a vintage or antique vehicle of a friend or family member. Usually people with vintage cars (just for personal use not intended for car shows) will lend out their car (driven by the owner) for free. Only $40 in gas would be required for transportation for the couple's send off. Over budget. 

Ceremony: Most preachers will wed couples of the congregation without a fee. Decor for the wedding will be rented (arch and unity candle stand). The candles and spheres for the unity set will be purchased at Dollar Tree which brings the total to $47.50. Over budget. 

Reception and flowers: The reception will be held at the church reception hall or other addition to the church for free. The linens and napkins will be rented for $150. The clear fancy plates, silver cutlery and clear fancy cups will all be purchased from Sam's for $81.39. The bride's cake and groom's cake will be purchased at Publix bakery both for $260. The food will be catered only with a carving station that will supply the meat for the reception for $265 which includes rolls, condiments, and attendant. Now for the sides the couple will enlist the best cook family members to make side dishes such as green beans, au gratin potatoes, and supply iced tea and water. Next is the table decor for the wedding. The centerpieces will be DIY with very low cost. The brides's bouquet and boutonnières will be live flowers purchased at the local grocery florist for $100. I choose baby breaths because they are the most least expensive flowers. All other flowers used for decor at the reception and ceremony will be artificial purchased in a bundle from Hobby Lobby during their 50% off sale for $50. Or individual small bundles from Dollar Tree. Total $906.39 

THIS BRINGS MY GRAND TOTAL TO $1480.25 with $19.75 LEFTOVER!!!!!!

*This is a hypothetical situation. Actual retail prices may vary. Pictures courtesy of David's Bridal, Etsy.com, Dillard's, ICING, Walmart, Pinterest, and Publix. 

"Strange & Popular Wedding Traditions Explained"

I ran across this cool article on MSN. It was explaining the origins of many wedding traditions that we know and do today.

Let's take a look at the explanations of some of the few strange and popular weddings traditions.

1. Wearing a white wedding dress

Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert in 1840 and she was the first to wear a white wedding dress. But before that brides wore the nicest dress out of their closet. In royalty, Queen Victoria traditionally was to wear a silver gown. She decided to go against tradition and wear a white satin gown, thus "unitentionally kick-started the tradition of the white wedding dress."

2. Having bridesmaids

Brides use to play a more serious role than throwing bachelorette parties and moral support. According to Roman Law, ten witnesses had to be present at the wedding to outsmart evil spirits. The bridesmaids would dress just like the bride so that the evil spirits would not know who the bride was and couldn't harm her. Bet you would think twice about being a bridesmaid now.

3. Wearing a wedding veil

Similar to the bridesmaids, the veil was to cover the bride's face so the evil spirit couldn't see her, therefore couldn't curse her.

4. Tossing the garter

Some historians believed that the removal of the garter by groom was symbolic of deflowering. But some believe in the superstition it represented. During the Middle Ages, the groomsmen and other men would bomb rush the bride to get the garter (off her leg under her dress). It was considered a prize, a good luck charm. I'm so glad only the groom gets the job of removing the garter.

Signature Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are given from the bride and groom as small tokens of appreciation for your attendance. The favors should reflect the couple's personality along with the wedding. Here are some of my signature favors.

These are one of the least expensive favors and can by DIY. The labels can be printed at home and filled with whatever candy the couple chooses.

This is one of the cutest favors. It is mints wrapped in burlap with a label and flower attached. The favors on right are very easy and affordable.

This is one the most creative, GREEN favors I know. Plus the guest would always have something to remember the couple's special day long after. 

I'm just in love with this favor. It goes great with a retro chic theme. The bottles are classic.

And you can't forget about the kids. This is great to keep them busy at the reception.

Bridesmaid Dresses Alternative

I'm sure you probably are aware that not all bridesmaid or wedding dresses have to come from a bridal shop. David's Bridal is one of the biggest bridal stores in America and a lot of brides go there to get gowns and dresses for the entire wedding party. But don't be limited to just bridal shops. A great and sometimes cheaper alternative is to shop at department stores in the dress or formal dress departments. Usually, there are more creative styles outside the norm bridesmaid dress and by famous designers. Here I provided examples of bridesmaid dresses from Nordstrom, Macy's, and JCPenney. 

Amsale Strapless Ruffled Peplum Jersey Gown
Was $280 Sale #109.97 Nordstrom

Calvin Klein Rosette Detail Strapless Chiffon Dress
Was $168 Sale $64.97 Nordstrom

   

           

Donna Morgan 'Amy' Crinkled Silk Chiffon Dress
Was $230 Sale $89.97 Nordstrom

           

Jessica Simpson Boutique Dress Sleeveless Sequined
Beaded A-Line Was 159 Sale $76.99 Macy's

Liliana Halter Top Gown
Was $130 Sale $45.99 JCPenney

Here are pictures of my lovely bridesmaids in their dresses. I love these ladies to pieces. 

It was a little windy!

Non-Floral Centerpieces

Flowers are expensive, even artificial flowers and consists of a good portion of your reception budget. Here are some examples of centerpieces that you can use to substitute using flowers and may help cut down on your wedding budget.

This would be great for the head table if using one. 

I like how the table number is incorporated as the centerpiece.

This centerpiece doubles as the wedding favors. 

City Hall Wedding

Most people frown upon a city hall wedding. But city hall weddings can be just as beautiful. People with a limited budget, I suggest having a city hall wedding that way your budget would be put towards the reception.  To be honest, the ceremony is for the couple and the reception is for your guests anyway. So having a small intimate ceremony with the parents and siblings is basically all you need. And then take, lets say $3,000 and throw a shebang reception including the extended family and friends. Hey if Carrie Bradshaw did it, surely you can do it.

courtesy of shefinds.com

Here are more pictures and ideas of a city hall wedding.

courtesy of ohhappyday.com

courtesy of Dominique Bader Photography

By it being a non-traditional site, the bride and groom gets to wear less formal attire giving them both room to be more creative in their apparel. And just think of all the photo opportunities you will have at city hall.