Wedding Planner - Yes, No, Waste of $

Yes and No. If you're on a budget at least hire a DOC

I have a DOC, and she has been incredibly helpful so far. I also spoke to some of her previous clients and they all loved her, so I'm looking forward to our wedding day!

I got a month of but she really kicked in way before. One of the best expenses of the wedding.

The planned comes with our venue. She takes care of the details and contacts us when she needs to know certain things, she is coordinating all of the vendors..and a number of other things

Ladies thanks for all the input! I think since we're far away from where the venue will be that I'll have to price out some planners.

I'm planning my own. I paid extra for my venue to have a day of coordinator, but I've never heard anything good about hiring a WP. But I've had a lot of help from recently married family/friends. And none of them had WP. If you think you can do it yourself, then do it and save yourself the money

I've planned everything thus far and am only working on rentals now for floral and specialties for the reception which my florist is handling. My venue is all inclusive really but the DOC included will not be able to place items or do anything special outside the venue's specifications. So now I'm thinking long and hard about a DOC. I've done everything, will I stress on the day off because I don't KNOW everything is being handled?? hmmm

BTW here in San Diego it's like $500 for a DOC...so I need to think long and hard on that expense right. lol

I got a month of coordinator and she has already been a life saver! And the fact that me and FH along with our family won't have to worry about a thing the day of.. Is worth the money in my opinion. I want us all to be able to enjoy the day.

I hired a DOC (the package is actually for a couple weeks before the wedding) and I am already so glad that I did! She has been amazing already! I literally know that on the day of the wedding in what feels like a thousand years away, I will be able to relax and enjoy the day because the DOC will be handling everything. It was on my top list of things that were important and must haves for the wedding.

I think if you have the spare money to spend.. Totally worth it. Takes a lot of stress out and they have way more questions than you'd ever thing to ask vendors. One offered to throw "vendor meetings" just to make sure everyone was in the loop constantly.

I am planning everything myself. I refuse to pay anyone for something I am great at doing myself.

I got a wedding planner immediately. I typically plan all out family vacations and couples vacations. But I just felt like this was a lot to take on with working. She has been awesome, on top of my burget, appointment she's well worth every penny thus far. I say if you can afford it go for it. BUT do your research...

I hired a partial planner, and she is turning out to be well worth it because she's saving me money in many other ways!

A good planner will save you money by knowing the best priced vendors, and will save you time by not having to research all of them.

Planners could also have tons of other items they can lend you for free. I'm borrowing a card box, cake stand and matching photo frames, saving me hundreds of dollars. She also offered a free guestbook, props for the photobooth, put together kids activity kits...yeah, some planners can be generous!

I think it depends on your personality (and your venue). Since I'm having my wedding on a Friday, they are letting me set up a night or two before the wedding so after that's set up, I don't have much to do. Cake is being delivered and so are the flowers and they all know where to put them. If not, my venue coordinator will tell them since she will be there all day. My fiancé's side of the family is late to everything except FH so he will be pushing everyone to be on time. As long as you have a plan, you don't need a planner.

Nope. 225 guests, no DIY. The venue had a banquet manager assigned to us, who stayed through the cake cutting; the dining room captain stayed through clean-up. The venue/hotel had been in business, for 100 years. The band had 30 years of experience; they played there around once a month, so they knew the venue's timeline. The florist/décor company did all their set-ups and take-downs (centerpiece flowers were gifted), including rental décor and chair covers. My Mom did most of the planning: research, e-mails, phone calls, appointment scheduling, etc. The day of the wedding our parents merely had to greet the guests, as they arrived, socialized, and had a fabulous time; there was nothing left to do.

I've attended only 2 weddings, where they had a planner. The one should have spent the money on guest hosting/food (suppertime) and we stopped to eat, on the way home. At the other, the planner signaled for the ceremony to begin, and there must have been 30 empty chairs. The last shuttle from the room block hotel arrived (20 guests) as the ceremony was ending.

Thanks for the advice - it is hard to know and gauge whether it will be helpful until you do it! Guess I'll research some options, see if it fits in budget and make decision from there. Thanks ladies!

It depends on your personality. If you are flexible and willing to let someone handle things, absolutely go for it. I am the kind of person that I like to know what is going on and want to be on top of everything myself. I am even having a hard time delegating things to my bridesmaids and I know them.

Personally, I would be more stressed not being totally in the loop. I think it depends on what you want, what you can afford, and how complex your plans are.