Your wedding day is one of the best days of your life, so you want to make sure it goes according to plan. A professional wedding planner can help make your dream a reality, but even the most experienced planner may surprise you with things you should know beforehand. Here are 20 secrets your wedding planner might not be telling you but absolutely should:
Hidden Costs
Any wedding planner knows that there will be unexpected costs at all weddings. Whether there are last-minute changes, vendor add-ons, or the cost of last-minute changes, there’s a high likelihood that an original quote will be inaccurate. Planners should be upfront with clients so that the final bill is not a shock when it comes through.
Prioritization is Key
If you want to stick to your budget as closely as possible, you may need to prioritize certain aspects of your wedding. For example, if a dream dress and great food are at the top of your wedding list, you must compromise on the music and flowers, which a good planner can discuss.
The Art of Negotiation
While vendors usually have set fees for their services, there’s no harm in negotiating prices. If you’re purchasing multiple services with a vendor, they may offer a discount, which is yours. The planner should be able to help navigate.
Recommendations Can Be Biased
Planners often have preferred vendors they work with regularly, so they may push them on to clients. While convenient for your planner, these might only sometimes be the best fit or the most affordable, so research before you say yes.
Ask About Kickbacks
Some planners may receive commissions from recommended vendors, but they should be transparent about it as you don’t want it to influence your wedding too much. Your vendor may genuinely like a vendor and think it is a perfect match, but it isn’t fair to you if they are pushing them to make cash.
Read Vendor Contracts Thoroughly
Planners are skilled at reading contracts but don’t rely on them too much. You and your partner should ensure you understand exactly what you’re signing for, particularly regarding cancellation policies and payment schedules.
Maintain Open Communication
It would be best to keep your planner informed of any changes you think of making. They should let you know they are happy to discuss changes as soon as possible rather than waiting until the last minute when your dreams can’t be achieved.
DIY Can Backfire
While DIY projects can save money, they can be time-consuming and stressful. Your wedding planner should be honest about your ideas and tell you when they don’t think it will work out.
Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate
A wedding planner knows how stressful the run-up to your wedding can be, so you should let them manage the details. It’s okay to delegate tasks that cause stress or prevent you from enjoying the planning process.
Rain Plan
It would be best to always have a backup plan in case of bad weather, especially for outdoor ceremonies or receptions. No amount of positivity from your wedding planner can chase lousy weather away, so they should be open to a plan B.
Confirm Everything
Vendors will sometimes make unrealistic promises. If you have doubts about a vendor’s ability to deliver precisely what you want, double-check all confirmations more than once. It is good practice to always do at least one check, even with the most accessible vendor requests.
Emergency Kit Is a Must
You should be prepared for any mishaps during your wedding, which means putting together a discreet emergency kit. The kit can include a stain remover, sewing kit, safety pins, pain relievers, and anything else that might come in handy on the day.
Eat and Hydrate
In the rush of excitement, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself on your wedding day. You should delegate someone to remind you to eat (not just wine) and drink throughout the event.
Enjoy the Moment
Your wedding day will fly by, and all those months of planning will roll past you in the blink of an eye. Take a few quiet moments with your partner to savor the experience and create lasting memories aside from what your photographer captures.
Delegate Post-Wedding Tasks
Some wedding planners need to tell couples about the work that needs to be done after the big day. It would be best to assign someone responsible for collecting gifts, returning rentals, and preserving your wedding dress. If you’re having your wedding at home, you may also need to hire a cleaning company.
You’re the Boss
Don’t be afraid to express your preferences and vision, even with the pushiest of planners. Your planner is there to guide and execute, but the final decisions are yours.
It’s Okay to Say No
You shouldn’t feel pressured to incorporate every suggestion your planner makes or tradition family members suggest. This is your day, so personalize it to reflect you and your partner.
Focus on the Big Picture
It is easy to get bogged down by minor details, but try to let go of perfectionism and focus on what truly matters. Your guests want to see you celebrating your love and will not remember if the favors were the wrong color.
Something Will Go Wrong
You should be prepared for minor daily hiccups, but your planner can handle them. A seasoned planner may manage these hiccups before you notice them, but if you do, try to focus on how funny it will be looking back on them in the future.
Relax and Have Fun
Your wedding should be a true celebration of love. Try to savor the moment, and don’t worry about the minor hiccups. You’ve spent months thinking of every detail, so you should enjoy your special day with your loved ones.
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