Wedding Planners not accepting budget. Too low?

I have learned that when someone asks for budget it is the total wedding list price. So I would add that on to your original budget

Hmmmm... I was under the impression that planners were supposed to find you vendors within your budget, no matter what that budget may be.

Woah. That's rude.

1. Where are you having your wedding? Sometimes location pays a vital role in what one might think is an "acceptable" budget.

2. I wish I had 20k for my wedding so in my eyes I'm like well that's more than enough. I'm sure your day will come out stunning.

3. Just keep looking, obviously those are NOT the people you need to have helping you plan your big day

Have you thought about getting venue that comes with a coordinator. You still have some work but not a lot.

@ZeldaBride I THOUGHT SO TOO!! Which is one of several reason why we need the help. It's really turning me off to the whole wedding planning industry :-/

@Silesha I'm originally from the south & I thought it was rude too.

Charlotte, NC. because we have over 90% out of town guests we thought it would be better to have it downtown where its close to the airport and hotels are within walking distance. Venues are reasonable $5000 at most, but our top choice is $3500 and includes tables, chairs, & linens.

@Ashley Most of the venues that come with coordinators are hotels. Neither I nor my FI are "hotel" wedding people. Despite that we still looked into them and most are 50-60% of our budget and only include things like the coordinator, cake, and hotel block. Big whoop!

They were that rude after you explained that it didn't include those items? Seems odd. I've never worked with a DOC, so hopefully someone with some experience will chime in!

Did you explain what that budget includes? If they charge by percent I can understand having a minimum (it's the same amount of work but less pay for a lower budget), but that seems like a reasonable budget for a city like Charlotte. Did you give them your "vision" along with the budget? Maybe they were saying that they can't deliver that vision for that budget? No matter what, they should have met with you to discuss things further without writing you off like that.

Side note: I'm likely moving to Charlotte within the year...maybe I should re-open my event planning company down there, sounds like there's a need! ;-)

Id keep looking. I'm in an expensive area, southern CA and I met with a planner with my 10k budget (not including dress, tux, rings) and they were very receptive and accommodating. I've found that some doc/full planning vendors get paid a percentage of your total budget. Idk when your date is but if it's in prime season they may be holding out for something higher? Although your budget seems awesome to me!

@klimberkat maybe it was my "vision". i dunno. but i def said i would like their help coming up with creative options within my budget. My vision wasn't set in stone, so shouldn't they be more knowledgeable about what works in a smaller budget? For example, I'm not really into flowers so huge centerpieces was something I made sure to mention to try to reassure them. My FI and I also nixed wedding favors. Totally thought venue, food, drinks, entertainment & decor could work.

And sounds like if you moved to Charlotte, you'd KILL!!! Good luck!

OP- I am also a charlotte bride! I can recommend some great vendors if you haven't already booked. Sorry you have had this experience. That seems like an awesome budget for this city!

It really depends on the planner, their experience, and their typical / target clientele. It is simply not true that ALL wedding planners are supposed work with couples of any budget. That's just not how it works. Most wedding planners have typical budgets and "preferred" vendors that they work with - all of whom have obviously have certain pricing levels. They work with those preferred vendors because they know that they provide an excellent product and are reliable and trustworthy.

So, if they know that the typical vendors that they work with will far exceed your $20k budget, then it doesn't make sense for them to take you as a client. It is also true they may not want to spend the time researching and finding vendors with lower price points. Firstly, it takes too much of their time when they can likely attract clients with higher budgets, and also it is a risk to work with vendors they aren't familiar with (it can look badly on them if the vendor doesn't come through).

Also, someone who hires a full service wedding planner typically has a larger budget anyway. A full service planner can cost $5k. That's 25% of a 20k budget which is too much - it just doesn't make sense. To be honest, I do think your budget is on the low side for most full service planners.

That's not to say that you won't be able to find one to help you. It's just won't be the norm, and you have already found that out by speaking with several of them.

Is there a reason you're not planning to have your planner help with invites? That's a big design element to exclude when you're going to be paying for a full wedding planning package.

Dinora no advertising on boards

When I did events full time and got a client who asked for a $50K event and told me they had $20K, it's usually because they didn't know. Most planners (unless you called all super high tier and can't be bothered) should be able to guide you in the initial conversation. By telling you for example, that the sequin linens you love cost $75/each to rent, they give you the option of telling them you're open to upping the budget to get what you want, or changing your vision. They may also talk to you further and learn you really don't need a full service and they can still win your business without breaking your budget or lowering their rates. Sounds like the planners were ones operating on a much higher level than you thought, or they just don't know how to do sales well. Either way it's frustrating, but at least you can quickly cross them off your list!

@Kimberly Yay another CLT bride! So few and far between it feels. Do you have a wedding planner vendor?

@Emily Thank you! Totally understood re: a planner's vendor list. I would expect that. I'll keep interviewing. Good thing is I only need one, so hopefully I'll luck out and find the one outside of the norm :-). I would think a huge industry such as this would have a range. Esp in a smaller market like NC, where even something like venues are way low. Hearing LizzyS's POV gave me a glimmer of hope!

@CarolinaJames1- I know! A few days ago, there was a thread of Triad brides that sort of turned into NC brides. No, I don't have a planner. I've done everything myself, with my mom, or with FH. It doesn't hurt that my venue is pretty much turn key.

Sounds like maybe they're just not the best fit. Interestingly, we never talked budget at all when meeting with our with our DIY "day of" coordinator (the lowest of her three packages). We were prepared to go with her middle package because I don't mind doing the work, but want guidance/referrals since it's not my world. She surprised us when she told us that what we were talking about would be I included in her $1500 day of package, and noted that if we became higher maintenance we could always add services on later. She had also worked at our venue in events for some 13 years before going into coordinating on her own.

I spoke on the phone to a woman in OC whose rate was closer to $10k for creating a full on "brand" for us - which was way more (price and service-wise) for what we were looking. Often in the lower price ranges, people would offer up their "associates" as cheaper alternatives (like photographers and videographers sometimes do), but we felt we were paying for the principal's expertise.

Edit: Damned autocorrect. Also, since I was leaning toward "day of plus" and not full service maybe my total budget wasn't as relevant.

I'm in Charlotte too- if you need any help feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to help anyway I can.

I definitely think it was rude to dismiss you with a 20K budget. That's definitely not low. It sounds like our budget total is similar (roughly 30K when it's all said and done not including the honeymoon,) and I'm impressed you have room to book a full service planner and DOC! Teach me your ways! Haha. We looked into it, but there was no way we could send 7K on those services (what I was quoted in general for both)! We're lucky and picked venues with onsite coordinators for the reception and the ceremony.

I would include everything in your budget and look for a new planner!

Holy sheesh....20K is a lot of money!

Keep looking. Do you absolutely have to have their services? It seems ridiculous that they are unwilling to work with your budget. Especially since it is not minuscule by any means