How to choose a Wedding Planner and WHY you should have one!

As with any new experience we often have to figure out how to navigate uncharted territory. When couples begin this often daunting task of planning their wedding, the overall perspective is that they can create the wedding of their dreams with the help of friends and family that may have gone before. Often with overall budget considerations, the thought of hiring a PROFESSIONAL Wedding Planner is pushed to the wayside because their value is not yet perceived. With invitations, food, attire, entertainment, flowers, etc., as consumers, we know what we are getting. A tangible product or service that we can touch, see or feel. That value is known, and is clearly important to couples. With today’s overall emphasis on individuality and uniqueness of each wedding, each couple really is navigating uncharted waters. Why should anyone think they don’t need an experienced professional to lead the way?Recently I was contacted by a new wedding planner. Let me clarify, new to the industry, not just new to me. I was truly saddened by her evident inexperience,  lack of knowledge and misunderstanding of the wedding industry. Sincere as she was, she was obviously doing her couple a disservice in charging them for her “services”.  Time and time again we run into those who are often misguided and although I am NOT a planner, I have certainly encountered some of the very best and certainly some of the very worst that hold the title.As I write this I am deeply concerned for all the couples that encounter those that self-proclaim the title WEDDING PLANNER with little or no experience.Now, don’t get me wrong, we ALL started somewhere!  I truly treasure the lessons in design, business, and life I’ve learned working under designers that willingly trained and mentored me through the years. They have afforded me the opportunities to become the wedding professional I am today. But my experiences have been nurtured under the integrity of established professionals who stood-at-the-ready to protect the wedding couple from any misjudgment I might have had as I was LEARNING my craft.Which brings me back to the original thought of this post… A True, PROFESSIONAL, EXPERIENCED, WELL RATED, wedding planner is worth their weight in GOLD!!! All your other professionals will tell you this. They know your local industry professionals personally and even have their private numbers! They know how to pair you with the photographer, florist and cake artist that is right for YOU… not just one favorite they like best that may pay them for the referral…think, “kick-back.”It’s all about pairing your taste, budget and personalities with the professionals best suited to fit the vision YOU have for the wedding. They are there to guide you by experience through what can be a wonderful, joyous occasion. Not having a PROFESSIONAL planner can become a taxing, stressful, frustrating time that can turn into regret that you didn’t really have the wedding you were envisioning.With researching any service or product for your wedding, ask other professionals to recommend others for the wedding. If a number of different venues, photographers, or florists repeat the same name of a particular cake artist, you can feel confident that their 5 star reviews on-line are for real and their reputation is solid! Reputation is everything. I confirms trust and professionalism. Do your research and go with the people that have a real portfolio of years of work in the wedding industry. You will thank me later! ;-)Check out weddingwire.com bride’s reviews.