Would you hire a wedding planner, event coordinator?

I think event coordinators are good for some people in some situations. My venue came with a "coordinator" of sorts, so I didn't need to go out and get one on my own. Keep in mind, this person really only made sure the schedule was kept, everyone was cued on time, photos i wanted were taken, and everything I wanted done got done. She did not do any calling of vendors or anything like that for me; she ran the rehearsal and just made sure that things went smoothly the day of the event. It was $400 for this service and it really put my mind at ease.

I had lots of time to plan my wedding and had a good idea of what I wanted. But for a girl that doesn't have the time to do it, she'd probably consider hiring someone to do the grunt work for her. People are under the impression that coordinators/consultants cost a lot and are only for "the wealthy;" I think you could break into the business but you'd have to prove yourself first by working pro bono and building up relationships with vendors and getting referrals. Different areas of the country have different going rates for wedding coordinators, so do some browsing to see what other people are charging for the same service, just to get an idea.

Good luck!

I myself want to be an event planner (or at least in the industry) because I love organizing events and making the phone calls/doing the research involved. But I am also thinking about hiring a wedding planner. I definitely wouldn't want to be a wedding planner. I couldn't deal with unreasonable brides.

I want a wedding planner because the guest list keeps growing, my fiancé wants a big wedding, and it's a lot bigger of an event than I ever dreamed I'd be having for a wedding. I think a wedding planner to help me get a handle on everything that has to get done now that it's growing so big.

Personally, I am planning having a smaller wedding (50 max) and I plan on doing all the planning myself. These days there are books that help guide you through anything you may have forgotten, etc.

I think if I was going to have a larger wedding and I was very very picky, then I might consider hiring one (wedding planner). Even then, I doubt it, but thats the time I would consider it, if I started to feel overwhelmed.

I think in terms of your plans, you will find people along the spectrum- those who want 100% help, those who want just a little help, etc. If I were to hire someone, what I would be willing to pay them would be directly related to what they have done in the past. I'd also need to speak to some prior clients. The bigger the event that the planner had pulled off successfully, the more i'd be willing to pay.

I personally have a knack for planning myself and I'm crafty. I could make 3D pop up invites with a patch over one eye and one hand tied behind my back! Plus my dad is incredible with engineering and creating and developing anything big or small (he's a contractor). Sorry... I wasn't meaning to boast... :o} So I personally wouldn't need a wedding planner. I personally plan on taking on any and all planning, developing, creating, building, decorating, myself. not only will I keep costs down, but it may make it easier to swallow the caterers bill for my plated dinner (no buffet please), or the bill for my live band playing big band and swing music in powder blue tuxedos!

So for me (and others who are as ambitious and fun), I won't really need a wedding coordinator... unless it's the day of only to manage the flow.

As for you, I don't know that I would offer a partial day fee for weddings. It's going to be hard to jump in on a planned wedding and truely understand the thought process of the bride and groom. I would recomend maybe doing a full day but maybe offering different levels of service for different fees. If you are just pointing people in the right direction and making sure the bride doesn't get to yell at anyone thus ruining that persons day, you could charge $300 but for full coordination fo vendors, guests, attendants, etc, maybe charge $500 or more. And like you said, include a couple of meetings weeks or months before the wedding.

Also, keep in mind that when it comes to weddings, and you are offering a service to customers, think about the different people you'll get. The stiff and uppity types to the easy going fun loving types. Practice now for dealing with that later!

Good luck!

Personally, no, I would not hire someone. For me, I like to be in "control" and do my own planning, then I know ALL of what is going on. We got married 9 years ago, and I planned the WHOLE thing myself..... (100 people) I still have people to this day, telling me that it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and that they weren't just saying that. Also, I never had to stress about anything and the day OF the wedding couldn't have gone any better..... we even opened the bar early lol

HOWEVER......

There are many people out there that don't know they're butts from a hole in the ground when it comes to this kind of stuff and the mere thought of "planning" and "organizing" simply overwhelms them. So I definitely think there is a "demand" although I don't know how big it is when it comes to the financial aspects....I wish you luck, sounds like something you really want to do and would really enjoy!!

I am planning my wedding as well. I did a lot of research and planning a wedding isn't that complicated. Wedding planners are way too expensive. My advice is get online and google wedding timelines. It will give you sites which tell you what you need to do and when to make your wedding a success. It tells you when to order the cake, send out the invitations, buy the dress, etc. It helps you devise a game plan and helps you stay organized. things have went super smooth with my planning and doing it myself allowed more money to be spent on making hte wedding nicer. Congrats and good luck.

I have considered it. I don't have time to do all the footwork and I would absolutely hire someone to do that for me. During the planning I have routinely complained about not having enough time to do all this research and running around and talking. Plus I have no idea what to ask about. I still wish I had hired someone but we're halfway done now to I might as well as keep truckin'...

As for what I would pay, I would have to research the going rate. I suppose if someone came through with good references I would pay upwards of $5kfrom start to finish.

I am actually seriously considering paying someone to be my "day of" coordinator for my wedding. Just someone who can run around and handle all the details while I am enjoying my wedding.

I don't really know how much I would be willing to pay this person, but it might be worth it.

No..I am more than capable of handling it myself....FYI my sister gave her daughter a traditional 'big white wedding'...they used neither wedding planner nor event planner-did all themselves...it can be done.

My first marriage was the big white wedding...no planner needed...we did it all ourselves....all you have to do is research your 'time line' and stick to it.

Typical cost is 2-15% of the total cost of the wedding.

I wouldn't have paid for it because I am doing it all myself and loving every min. of it.

But I know a bunch of people who do need this service and would love for someone to actualy care about them other than the cost so I would charge what you could afford to do within each persons budget. Case by Case basis.