What is a Wedding Event Planner?

A wedding event planner plans and organizes weddings. Most wedding event planners have their own small business. Some wedding planners also cater other events such as corporate parties. A wedding event planner meets with clients and works with them to plan and organize the wedding they want.

Budget is usually the first thing a wedding event planner establishes so that he or she knows what limitations to keep within when choosing items such as flowers and hiring people such as photographers. Once the budget is worked out, wedding planners create of list of everything to buy and do before the wedding day with deadline dates for each item. Being able to stay organized and meet deadlines is extremely important for all wedding event planners. All the details from the ring pillow to wedding favors to hiring a band to guest parking have to be overseen by wedding planners.

During his or her years in the wedding planning business, the planner builds up a network of suppliers such as florists, photographers, videographers and musicians. Using the same pool of trustworthy vendors means the wedding event planner doesn’t have to find new suppliers for each wedding. Also, by dealing with the same vendors regularly, wedding planners often get a discount rate which raises their profit margin per event as well as lets them pass some of the savings onto clients to keep competitive with their prices.

Good service providers are essential to a wedding planner since planners oversee everything rather than do each individual job needed in weddings. Some wedding event planners set tables or arrange flowers. A wedding planner may attend the wedding to handle last minute details and emergencies. The exact duties a wedding event planner does vary and should be specified in each client contract.

Wedding event planners have different fee structures. They may prefer to be paid a percentage of the wedding’s total cost. Some wedding planners charge by the hour, while others have a flat project fee. Most event planners for weddings or other events require some money in advance with the rest due at agreed upon times during the planning process.

A wedding planner doesn't usually help the bride choose her dress, but may do so if the bride requests it. Each wedding is unique in the exact services that are needed. Wedding event planners have to be friendly, helpful and patient. They need to listen to what the clients want and be able to calm anxious brides. A wedding event planner may have a diploma in wedding coordination or just be knowledgeable and experienced in how to plan and organize weddings.