Oct 30, 2007

Ask the Expert: What do you charge?

We are asked this question at least 10 times a week! And it's a GOOD question. We charge a flat rate for most of our services while some are charged at an hourly rate. This way you control how much or how little you spend. The most important thing to remember is to determine how much of the work you want or will be ABLE do.

One of the most important things to consider when deciding on whether or not you want to use a planner is...YOUR time and what it's worth. Weddings take a lot of time to plan. Today's busy couples usually don't have a lot of 9 to 5 time to devote to wedding planning.

If you don't have the luxury of making phone calls during the day...
If you aren't familiar with the experience and dependability of several wedding vendors...

...then you will most definitely benefit from the expertise of a wedding planner!

Let me give you an example...

Let's say you are in the planning stage where it's time to find a venue for your wedding. Finding one that is available on your wedding date AND one that fits your vision is going to take at least a third if not more of your planning time. You'll need to visit most venues during business hours...to see if it even FITS the vision for your wedding day. Even if you schedule a tour for a weekend...will you be able to see 3-4 of them all on the same day?

Or perhaps it's time to find a photographer or a caterer. There are TONS of good photographers and caterers out there...do you know which ones are really good? Do you know which caterers have experience in knowing how to delay dinner yet keep the food from being ruined because you're a little behind schedule? How about the personality of the photographer? Getting along with the photographer is ESSENTIAL for quality pictures that tell the story of your wedding day! There are NO do-overs!

This is where a wedding planner is GOLD! She can pre-screen venues and vendors for you...set up appointments so that they are streamlined into a specific time...and pick ones that fit your vision and your personality! And because she has relationships with many wedding vendors, a lot of the information is at her fingertips already.

And how about on the wedding day? Who will keep things moving and organized while you are busy being the bride?

How much is THAT worth?

No comments: