To Hire a Wedding Planner or Not...That is the Question

The history of Wedding Planners does not go as far back as many other wedding industry professions. In the preliminary phase of writing this article, I had to reflect on my own Mother's wedding day. I am almost certain she would not have considered a Wedding Planner. Presumably, she had not even heard of a Wedding Planner. I asked myself, why the change?

Many significant factors contributed to the change in women's history. Beginning most visibly with the women's movement of the sixties, women started to question their invisibility and became more involved in the workforce. President John F. Kennedy's Commission on the "Status of Women" was founded in 1961. It discovered a number of legal barriers to women's equality. It reported on laws that barred women from jury service, excluded women from certain occupations, and, in general, kept women from enjoying their full rights as citizens. And now, in 2008, much has changed. Most commonly, both the bride and the bride's mother have professional careers with little time to plan a huge event.

But why do we need an expert for weddings? When did weddings become so entailed? We all remember "Frank (aka Fronk)" the infamous wedding planner from The Father of the Bride (1991). Despite the humor, this may have been our first introduction to a "Wedding Planner" in full effect. Simply stated, weddings have grown tremendously over the past 20 years to include larger budgets, more vendors, and endless details. Therefore, it only makes sense to find someone with education, experience and expertise in this profession.

When it comes to planning your wedding day, everyone can benefit from hiring a professional Wedding Planner. Presently, many companies boast of wedding coordinator services, when all they are really offering is someone on site to announce and direct elements on the actual wedding day. Hiring a professional and experienced wedding planner is relevant and essential to allow brides the enjoyment of planning their wedding and ultimately, to enjoy their Perfect Wedding Day.

However, it might not be a necessity for every bride and groom. How can you discern if you need a Wedding Planner? There are several factors that go into the planning process, making it seem overwhelming for brides. A couple that is unable to devote a large part of their time to planning of their wedding should consider a Wedding Planner. Having a third party to organize and assist in the planning will help alleviate the stress and make the planning process more enjoyable for you. It can also mean the difference in preventing costly mistakes.

Another element to consider is their valued knowledge and access to local vendors. A Wedding Planner holds experience with planning large events and working with multitudes of vendors. Their expertise is helpful in selecting reliable and reputable vendors. The vendor that was once suitable for your sister's wedding three years prior may now not be suitable for your own.

Lastly, it is important for the Bride and Groom to create a vision of their dream, of what their ultimate wedding experience will be. A Wedding Planner holds a reputation and talent for being detailed, creative and able to help turn your vision into a reality.

Therefore, the ultimate question lies uniquely to each individual couple, to hire or not to hire?