If you are like me, planning isn’t your special power. I rely on my assistant to help with those types of things so I can stay focused on creating the best photographs for my couples. I absolutely love traveling for weddings and have seen such a difference when a couple hires a planner for their big day. Budgets can sometimes get in the way, but in the long run, you’ll look back and be thankful you made the decision to hire a professional planner. Here are a few reasons why hiring a planner for your destination (or local) wedding is a must.

They know what goes into a successful wedding

Planners have organized hundreds of weddings and know what works and what doesn’t work for weddings. They know what questions to ask the vendors to keep things running smoothly, or local knowledge for housing all your family and friends who are arriving. They think of almost everything. Even little blankets for your guests if they get cold at the end of the night. One of the things I love about working with planners is that they usually know what details are photogenic.

They put out any possible fires

Weddings have a lot of moving parts. Think of a planner like a conductor of an orchestra. They are able to direct and help with ALL the vendors on your wedding day. They step in when things aren’t quite going right, or if things are running behind they keep things moving so you can focus on your fiancé and guests. The last thing you want to stress about on your wedding is a vendor hiccup. They can also help you stick to your budget and find ways to help you get what you want.

There won’t be a missed detail.

From chargers to name tags and thank you gifts, they’ve got your back. Trust them when they make a suggestion because it comes from a place of experience. Many couples have never been married but a planner has attended hundreds of weddings and can suggest which things work and which things won’t. They can also help with cleanup and styling so your family can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening celebrating.

Your photographer (and other vendors) will thank you

When there isn’t a planner at a wedding, the photographer will then take on that responsibility. That can take away from their creative role as your photographer. Don’t get me wrong, I love to help my couples out on their wedding day, but rounding up their families while I am trying to take the photos can make it a little tricky. A planner works hand in hand with a photographer, which is why I can tell you how truly important one is to a wedding day no matter how big or small one might be. Trust me when I say this, but photographs can pick up stress in any photo. Planners can help relieve stress on so many levels. I want to be able to show the joy and happiness of your wedding, not tears of sadness because something didn’t work out as planned or you now need to solve a problem. Find a planner or coordinator who can help you with that.

They do a lot of the research so you don’t have to. 

Trying to find a good restaurant to host your family for the rehearsal or welcome dinner? A planner can help with that and give you all the options for you to make your choice.  They’ve usually sampled the menu and know what will work for dietary needs and the atmosphere you’re wanting.

A wedding planner really is the cherry on top to you wedding day.  You can sit back and relax knowing everything is being taken care of.  Every detail is thought of and executed to your desires.  When you’re wedding day comes you’ll be able to enjoy your celebration and your new spouse without the worry of it not running how you always imagined.