But one of the things about wedding planners that some don’t understand is this:

A WEDDING PLANNER CAN’T (and won't) DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU.

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That’s right friends- there are some things that YOU will still need to do, regardless of whether you’ve hired a planner or not. 

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As a Wedding Planner, while we know you wish we could do it all for you, there are many things that fall outside of our duties. Regardless of the level of service you have hired a Wedding Planner for, here are some things you will usually need to do for yourself and for your Wedding Planner:

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CREATE A GUEST LIST AND OBTAIN GUEST ADDRESSES

Creating a guest list and obtaining guest addresses is the first thing to do after getting engaged- after celebrating, of course! This guest list will dictate where your ceremony and reception will be held, as well as how your wedding budget will be spent. Typically, weddings can expect to see 80% of the total guests who are invited actually attend the event. And don’t forget- the more guests that attend, the higher your budget needs to be!

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DECIDE WHAT YOU CAN SPEND

While your planner can create a budget projection for you so that you have a clearer picture of what it will cost to meet your vision and expectations - based on current vendor costs, the conversation about how much you can actually invest needs to occur between the you, your families and any other parties that might be paying for the celebration. Prior to hiring a Wedding Planner, it is a good idea to have clear understanding of your finances and what you are willing to invest in your wedding. If you live in North Alabama, check out our article with all the dirt on wedding costs!

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SIGN CONTRACTS AND PAY VENDORS

Unless your services through your planner are all inclusive, don't expect your planner to sign contracts or make payments for you. While a Wedding Planner can be at the forefront of that process before you sign anything, the service contracts are between you and your vendors. Legally, you should sign all financially binding contracts and handle monetary transactions.

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MAKE DECISIONS: LIKES AND DISLIKES

As a Wedding Planner, we want your wedding day to be a reflection of you and your love story. Our job is to help you navigate the planning process, while making experienced recommendations along the way. Your job is to make the decisions so your wedding day can be completely yours. 

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CREATE YOUR GIFT REGISTRIES

Registering is such a fun activity for a newly engaged couple to do together! Make it fun, bring snacks and ask a friend (or mom) to tag along if it gets too overwhelming. Everyone has their own taste and what works for some people’s registry will not always work for the next person’s. Heck, you can even register online in multiple places which is super easy and fun too! Just remember to stick to what works for YOU and your life together!

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BREAK VENUE RULES

Venue rules are there for a reason! Do not ask your Wedding Planner to break rules on your behalf just so you can do or have something you want. If the venue says no sparklers, do not have sparklers! If you are having a church ceremony, do not request that the Wedding Planner move the altar- it is there for a reason. Often times, Wedding Planners work at the same venues time and time again, so breaking rules at a venue could lead to consequences long after your wedding day is over. And if you intentionally break a venue rule - don't be surprised if your planner immediately terminates their service and leaves your wedding OR your venue shuts down your wedding on the spot! We've seen it happen!!

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DO JOBS OUTSIDE OF PLANNING & COORDINATION

Our job is to plan and coordinate your wedding and manage all of the moving parts. Planners often go above the call of duty to make things happen for your wedding day but don't expect your planner to do the job of other vendors and don't mistake your planner for your hired laborer - that is not what a planner or coordinator does! Tables and chairs need to be set up? Contract your venue or rental company to set up and tear down. Self serve bar needs to be iced and restocked during your reception? Hire a bartending service to manage your bar. You brought all of your own décor? Grab friends and family to set all of that up! Cake needs to be cut and served? Your caterer holds the food handling permit, make this service part of your contract. Venue needs to be decorated? Hire a decorator. Tables need busing or the venue needs to be cleaned after your event? Enlist friends and family, hire a cleaning crew or talk to your planner because they can assist in hiring an even clean up service. Everyone wants to save money but your planner is not responsible for performing tasks that are outside of what they are being paid to do or doing things for free - so you can save a buck!

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GUEST TABLE ASSIGNMENTS

Who knows your family and friends dynamic best? You do! We will create your floor plan, but when it comes to sitting Uncle Sal next to Aunt June- that is for you and your family to decide on. Make sure you submit these details to your planner two to three weeks prior to your wedding date so they can distribute these details to the caterer, bar service, venue and stationer.

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MEET WITH VENDORS FOR YOU

Meeting with vendors is an important part of the planning process, it is crucial for making decisions on vendors and discussing your details with them. Again, unless your planning services are all-inclusive this is something that should be handled by you. Who knows what you like and don't like better than you do?

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OBTAIN MARRIAGE LICENSE

Get familiar in advance with the state marriage license requirements, fees and where to go to get yours. But this is definitely something that you will need to be present for!

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MEDIATE BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND BRIDAL PARTY

Often times Wedding Planners become one of your closest allies in the planning process. With that said, don't expect your wedding planner to get involved in drama between family members or bridal party members. Our purpose is to bring together a beautiful wedding day with the finest of vendors and be a sounding board for etiquette and advice along the way. Will we do everything in our power to make sure it’s the best day for you and keep everyone calm, cool & collected? You bet!! But it is not your wedding planners job nor their place, to get involved in deeper personal disputes!

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