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Ever since Jennifer Lopez got snogged in a tree by someone else’s betrothed, wedding planning has seen a massive spike in popularity.  If you have the money to spare, it’s a great way to take the pressure off you so that you can purely concentrate on preparing yourself for the big day.  Any bride will agree that wedding planning is extremely stressful, no matter how basic your big day is.  If hiring a wedding planner is an option, it’s an option worth taking.  For a start, they will stop you from getting overcharged.  The wedding industry is a minefield and a lot of people feel they’ve been ripped off.

What will they do?

What won’t they do!  Your wedding planner is there to do anything they can for you that is remotely linked to your big day.  And you’re the boss.  If you want them to skip round a park smelling flowers with you, then so be it.  But remember, they are professionals and will probably offer some decent advice rendering the skipping phase unnecessary.

These people are true experts.  It would take the average person days, weeks even to narrow down the choice of venue.  But a wedding planner is well versed in local venues and can immediately provide you with a shortlist of places that suit your needs.

When should I get one?

Really as early as possible.  Once you’ve set the date, you should set about finding the perfect planner.  They will appreciate being involved from the beginning as bringing them in half way through planning can cause all kinds of mess.  Generally, planners will ask you for a small down payment on various costs and then ask for the balance on your wedding day meaning that your payments are organised and manageable.

Make sure you do your research.  Ask married friends if they’re used a planner and whether they would recommend them.  If you don’t have any joy, turn to the internet.  There are countless forums out there for brides-to-be and someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

How much will it cost?

While it’s certainly not cheap to hire a good wedding planner, it’s also not as expensive as Hollywood likes to make out.  Costs vary hugely depending on the reputation of your planner, the amount of planning required and the number of available planners in your area.  Generally, a planner will ask for a percentage of the total wedding cost.  This figure usually hovers around 10%.

It’s worth bearing in mind that while hiring a wedding planner is an additional cost, it’s a cost that should pay dividends.  They really know their field and as a result, they know how to cut corners and save you money where they can, such as in hiring your wedding photographer or party band.  Take marquee hire for example.  A wedding planner is likely to have their favourite rental place and therefore probably provides them with a lot of business.  This means the rates they are offered are probably much better that the rates you might achieve on your own.