I’m starting a new series based around REAL numbers [inspired by a conversation on twitter had between some wedding pros]. I want to be up front and honest about what I think is worth the money, areas where you may be able to save [depending on your priorities] and what cannot be sacrificed regardless of what your married friends may tell you!
To kick it off [and well, let's be honest... quickly rip the band-aid as well], I’m starting with the issue of hiring a wedding planner.
Now, obviously I’m biast. I’m meant to be. I’m supposed to be. If I didn’t think my job was a vital part of this industry, I wouldn’t be able to get up and do it every day! So, even with taking that into consideration, hear me out!
This feature is dedicated to a purely financial stand point when it comes to weddings. It’s meant to focus on what you can and can’t sacrifice. It’s meant to make you think and calculate [literally and figuratively!].
Now, let’s break it down. When I send out a wedding budget to any of my clients, my spreadsheet automatically breaks down, by percentage, their money into figures that are a typical “industry standard”. Sometimes, these numbers will come out impossibly high/low, depending on the typical percentage [and part of my job is to go in and adjust those percentages accordingly- and also, according to my clients desires and demands as well]. But for the sake of the general public, the percentage that any bride should be spending on a planner is 15 to 20 percent of their total wedding budget [and even if you're just looking for a coordinator, about 10%]. Gasping yet? Yes, this rivals photography. But, then again, aren’t you spending MORE time and seeing MORE of your planner than you ever will with your photographer? Surely. Isn’t your planner pulling MORE strings and working MORE consistently on your event than your photographer? Yeppers. [And this isn't a dis to the photog-world- you're up next week, all, and I'll be writing out just how much I love you all to pieces!]
I rest my case. A good planner can literally make your wedding happen. And that being said, I wanted to break down for you a bit what it may look like, regardless of your budget [and trust me, this is one of the areas that it's a good thing to push around the numbers to get you to these amounts of money], when hiring a planner.
Tier 1 [Under $1000]
Anyone charging below $1000 is a newbie to the industry. While their passion and zeal may be unparalleled, they will no doubt, hit a few bumps in the road. But this is the process of going from good to great, and it’s worth the sacrifice of experience if their willingness to learn outweighs their feeling of being overwhelmed with how large the industry can seem. If you’re looking at someone- anyone- under $500, SERIOUSLY reconsider. This is someone that not only doesn’t value their time, but doesn’t treat their job like the art that it is. They don’t realize how much they play a key role in your wedding, and this will show through at some point. If you’re looking at someone right AT the $1000 price point, you can be sure that they’ve built their experience enough to charge a substantial fee, that they’re valuing what they bring to the table and that they’re working hard to consider all of their [and your] resources to make this process smooth and easy for you. The easiest part of the job for any planner at this price point will be running your actual wedding day! They’ve learned the process and understand how to create you a fabulous timeline as well as interact with your vendors. The best thing you can do, should you try your darndest to save a dime, is start no lower than right here!
Tier 2 [$1000-$1500]
A great range for a solid coordinator with more than a year or two under their belt. If you’ve found someone willing to work with you in this range, I think you’re in good hands. While you may not get all that you desire [with the pre-planning and etc] as this pricing is mostly geared towards minimal services [similar to Day-Of, and remember these planners were just last year in the bracket below this most likely so they're still gathering up their contacts and learning how to churn their own wheels], you’ll still feel that passion and drive from them and your questions will be what continually push them on toward being the best they can be- for you, and for each of their clients!
Tier 3 [$1500-$2000]
If you’re paying this much for a planner/coordinator [especially for something similar to a minimal Day-Of package] you can expect the experience to be proof that they know this industry. Being a seasoned professional is something they’re used to, and they expect this of themselves as much as they expect [and hope] that you will trust them to do what they’re good at. They can easily recommend vendors as the names will pop into their heads- even as quickly as at the first meeting you have with them. They ask the right questions when you meet with them in person, and they challenge your design cohesiveness while offering their input each step of the way. If you’re paying around this price bracket for someone to plan and design your wedding, you’re likely working with a higher package of a Tier 2 coordinator, meaning although their database may not be as extensive, their attitude and willingness to get the job done right will carry them far enough to where you should feel secure in their hands throughout the process.
Tier 4 [$2000 to $5000]
Yes, this is a big bracket. Typically, an A-list, all around extremely fabulous, trained, and comprehensive planner will fall, for minimal services, in the lower end of this bracket. Although this may seem like an absolute splurge, it will no doubt be worth each penny you spend. Even the minimal packages from a planner of this caliber will feel different. This is the beginning of the golden glove experience. If you’re paying in this range for a more full service package, you’re doing great. You’re working with a planner who is seasoned, can suggest ideas and see them through, and whose knowledge is beginning to know no limits. The years they’ve spent in the industry has given them a list of pros to work with, as well as ones they are confident that will allow you to turn your day into your DREAM wedding experience. Put expectations on these professionals, because they’ll rise to them, and surpass them, with ease.
Tier 5 [$5000+]
I’ll say this only once, and I think it rings true in each of life’s arenas for us: you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for someone to do more than hold your hand- but to be your hand in this experience of planning a wedding, no doubt, you’ve come to the right place. While their price tag may seem steep, the issues, kinks, and plans that this professional will be taking care of and working out are endless. Planning a wedding can be a harry thing and they are the person to make those wild and extreme suggestions part of your total reality. You may relate this person to becoming your best friend, you’ll spend so much intimate time and conversation with your planner at this range, you may as well just have them do your marriage counseling!! [Haaa- that's a joke, go for real y'all!!]. It’s the client who will, on the day of your wedding, realize that this professional is worth their weight in GOLD no doubt.
For me and my company, personally, we offer a range of contracts and services to meet most people’s needs quite easily. We fit in there, at different ranges, to ensure that as a professional wedding and event planning company, we can love on our clients no matter what their budget or their plans thus far. I take what I do to heart. I take it home with me at night and I wake up with it in the morning. I love my job and I look for the save fervor in my team. More than anything, pick your planner/coordinator who matches you the best. Someone who helps you to fall in love with your wedding, your love story, each other… every step of the way. If they’re in love with it, then your guests will be in love with it, and you can just be in love!
Now- gulp it down, readers. It’s worth it to ingest now. If you’re in the early stages of planning, budget us in accordingly. I doubt you’ll regret hiring a competent, capable, confident professional to be there along side of you in one of the single-handed most time consuming and emotional events you’ll ever put together.
With all that to say [and to make you think about] take some time out of the day to just ponder the idea of marriage. It’s truly the most wonderful thing that two people can do- commit themselves to one another for a lifetime!! LOVE being in love today.
xoxo,
A.
