So, you’re engaged! Congratulations! This is an exciting time in your life. Now comes the task of planning your wedding. If you’ve never planned a wedding before, it can be daunting task. That’s where a wedding planner comes in. So, when should you hire one? The answer may depend on the level of service you are looking for.

Wedding Management/Coordination

Most wedding planners offer this service, which used to be referred to as “month-of coordination.” This service usually includes coordinating with vendors, bringing your vision over the finish line, creating a timeline for the wedding day, and being present on the wedding day to make sure everything runs according to plan. Although the coordinator is only hands-on in the final months of planning, we recommend getting your date on their calendar as soon as you have a date and venue set. This is not only so you can secure your dream team, but also because coordinators may have planning tools that their wedding management couples can use to make the process easier without a full-service planner.

Full/Partial Planning

If you are looking for someone to help you plan your big day from start to finish, we recommend booking your wedding planner early in the process. This will give them enough time to get to know you and your wedding vision, help you budget and manage your wedding expenses, book and coordinate your wedding vendors, and help you with all the other wedding details. Staying on track at the beginning of your planning process (especially if you are at or under a one-year planning timeline) is important to ensure deadlines don’t stack too close together and leave you feeling overwhelmed.

One big question we get asked is whether couples should have their venue booked before booking their planner. If you book your planner first, they can help you talk through your vision of the day and recommend venues specific to that vision. That said, planners may ask you to commit to a few potential dates, especially if you are getting married during peak season. If you book your venue first, the wedding planner may need to adjust your wedding vision to fit the space. However, you may be quoted a lower package rate to reflect the pre-selection.

No matter when you book your wedding planner, they should always be a source of support and guidance throughout your wedding planning journey! Interested in booking with us? Submit an inquiry today!