He asked you to marry him, you said yes and you now have this beautiful ring on your finger. What to do next? Where do you start in planning your wedding? If you’re like most people, you haven’t ever planned a wedding. You may have planned your family reunion or Aunt Martha’s surprise birthday or maybe even your grandparents anniversary party. But a wedding can certainly be daunting.
My first suggestion to any engaged couple is hire a wedding planner. Now you would expect I’d say that, given I’m a wedding planner. But this is what I discovered… I first started planning weddings because I loved the beauty of my couples and their take on their special day. It didn’t take me long to realize, EVERYONE should hire a Wedding Planner. You know all the reasons to hire one….she’ll take the stress of planning such an important day off your shoulders….she’ll look after all the details….she’ll deal with all the family drama so we don’t have to…the list goes on. But how do you find a planner that fits you as a couple?
A few suggestions would be to start with an internet search of local wedding planners and coordinators in your area. Don’t forget to check the Association of Bridal Consultants (https://www.bridalassn.com) who provide recommendations of experienced members in your local are. There’s also various wedding services available locally (in Syracuse, NY) at WomenTIES (www.womenties.com) a base of women entrepreneurs regionally through out New York State.
So you’ve narrowed down your options, where do you go from here? Call your potential planners and talk to them on the phone, schedule an appointment to meet with them for an initial consultation. You need to get a feel for the right planner for you. Everyone has different personalities, so why wouldn’t wedding planners? Find the right fit for you. If you’re free spirited and don’t care for the formality of a typical wedding, find a planner you feel comfortable with, who can give you the feel and look you’re going for. Basically, you’re interviewing planners to find that right fit. And lastly, don’t forget references. Talking with prior clients will give you an idea as to how well your potential planner works with her clients and what you can expect.
Remember your wedding planner is there to help you, talk you through those stressful moments, hold your hand and hug you once your married. But there is so much more behind the scenes she does for you, even if you don’t see it. So when thinking about or looking for a wedding planner or coordinator, find the right fit for you. Most planners become good friends with their clients and this is someone you’ll be spending a lot of time with.
Happy planning!
Mary Homer-Fairy Tale Weddings & Events
http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com
marysfairytaleweddings 