Alright Brides and Grooms! Let’s get right down to it. It’s a long walk to the alter let’s be honest. You just got engaged and you want to start planning right way. Your parents and friends are putting pressure on you and you are feeling overwhelmed, am I right?!

Wedding planning is so stressful and that’s probably the biggest reason why it was had for even my husband and I to do the whole “Big Wedding” type thing.  We were engaged for a few months and little did we know we would be getting eloped on my mother-in-laws couch. Years down the road we kind of regret it. 

Let’s not have that be you! So I’ll tell you the top 5 reasons why every bride and groom should invest in a coordinator or wedding planner!

1. They help keep you within your budget. Let them do all of the research for you. Your wedding planner should have several vendor options for each category: Venue, Makeup, Hair Stylist, Photographer, DJs, Videographers, Food Catering, Decor Rentals, Table and Chair Rentals and even a few outside the box such as horse rental and limos too! They know the best options for your needs and have more than likely networked with many vendors. Let them do the hard work.

2. They will keep everything on track and fight for your visions! Wedding planners do not literally plan every detail themselves. They will sit you down and discuss many options and help you figure out your big day WITH you. Not FOR you! A good corrdinator will take your visions and put them into reality. They will be the one who is sure the cake, food, and flowers arrive for your big day. They will be the one who sets up all of the decor and helps tear down and clean up afterwards if you don’t have someone doing that already. The last thing you want to happen on your big day is for the cake to not be there! (Trust me it had happened before!)

   I was photographing a wedding not too long ago and the bride did everything herself. It was a disaster! She forgot to stay in touch with her baker and the cake arrived WAY late. Not to mention the cake lady had to finish the cake AT the wedding during reception. It was a three tier and normally those are transported unfinished, and fully put together at the Venue. That was the case and it was a bit embarrassing.

3. Planners keep the big day STRESS-FREE! From a photographers perspective, I have watched many brides become super stressed out the day of their wedding because they are literally having to direct every order while trying to be “unseen” by her groom. Oh my GOODNESS. It’s hard to watch and makes my job so much harder. I am having to chase down the bride all day long and half of the photos of her may not be the happiest. Your day should not be like that! You should not have to chase down your bridesmaids and direct them down the alter DURING your CEREMONY! Not to mention the fact that oftentimes family members who are in the wedding, switch things around last minute and they do this quite a bit WITHOUT consent from the bride or groom. Most of your vendors are on a time limit too so keep that in mind. Many vendors stick strictly to a time and once that umber hits they are done and want to go home! Changing things last minute is fine and all but it definitely makes it harder on the ones working!

   I have watched a whole group of grandmas and mothers of a client of mine decorate the whole venue according to how THEY wanted it and not what was asked by the bride. She came out of the bridal room and cried. She was so mad! No one was there to stand up for her visions and follow through. They were trying to “help” but it was too late. This is not fair or respectful.

4. Many planners bring additional help and this is a MUST if you have a party of over 30-40 guests. Most coordinators don’t care what family or other guests have to say when the big day comes. They will have met with you numerous amounts of times and know what you want, where you want. They are there to work FOR you and no one else. They will get the job done right and keep everything stress free on your day! If you are lucky, you will have a great planner with an awesome reputation and that makes all the difference too!

5. Un-Biased Opinions! Your planner will be open to what your vision entails. Don’t be afraid to tell them you want to do something non-traditional for your wedding. Grandma might disapprove but you should be happy on your day and have it just the way you want it! Having a friend or family member directing you wedding may cause a bit of fuss. Most family members are selfish at weddings when it comes to the setup, and even ceremony time. Leave all that stress behind and find yourself some real help.

   What’s your biggest worry about your big day? Tell me in the comments below!