10 Ways To Fit A Wedding Planner Into Any Budget

 

“I can’t afford that - I’ll ask a friend.” “Wedding Planners are for rich people.” “I’m not budgeting for one.”

Okay - if you were buying a house would you not invest in getting a Realtor?

More often than not, wedding planners are brushed to the side and not considered. Clients are confident in planning the wedding themselves which is great, we love the natural planner in all our clients however, when all the planning is done - you still have to play the host on your wedding day! Exhausting. Other times, couples feel that a wedding planner is not a necessity and more of a luxury service and that they simply cannot afford it. Well, what if I told you that if you changed your perspective on a few things and some minor changes, fitting a wedding planner into your budget is doable? What if I then said that a wedding planner could actually save you money? What if I told you that you could enjoy the day you have been planning for months (or years) with the help of a professional without compensating the guest experience? Investing in a wedding planner is possible on a variety of budgets.

Here is the thing, wedding planners are more accessible and affordable than ever. Our services range anywhere from $1500 - $5000+ depending on scope of your wedding, location and the level of help you are wanting. Some charge hourly and some offer consulting services. There is variety out there for every budget. Think of the thousands of dollars you are investing into your wedding, wedding planners are the insurance you need to make sure the day looks, feels and goes better than expected. No other insurance policy will cover this!

So let’s get to it. Think a wedding planner is not in your budget? Consider the following 10 ways you could easily fit a wedding planner into any budget.


  1. Wedding Planner? Day of Manager? Consultant? The options and price ranges vary which work in your favour

If a full service wedding planner is out of your budget we get it! However, a wedding day manager (commonly known as day of coordinator) can definitely be worked into the budget. These services average will range in price depending on the planners experience. Many planners also offer an hourly consultation rate! That consultation could of saved you a few thousand dollars in which you could put into a wedding day manager. A wedding day manager is a necessity to any wedding in my personal opinion. You are paying for the day to finally come together and for your peace of mind.


2. Cut subtle costs in other areas of your wedding that will not affect the guest experience

There are a few areas where you could cut subtle costs that will not affect the wedding experience for guests. They honestly won’t even notice. I always recommend these to clients when we need to rework budgets based off of their priorities and to prepare for last minute expenses.

  • When there is an open bar, I have seen more unfinished drinks laying around than finished ones. Hard to believe I know. So save your $$ on the premium alcohol. Well booze for the win.

  • Cut down availability of drinks during cocktail hour. Beer and wine only. No shots. No hard bar. If there is no food then that bar bill will climb at a steady pace until dinner and that number will not impress your wallet.

  • 9/10 wedding favours end up in the trash. Please stop spending your money on them. That right there just saved you hundreds of dollars.

  • Utilize candles to amp up the decor.

  • Repurpose ceremony florals for the reception.


3. Save trees!

You know where I am going with this. Stationary, menus for each seat, invitations, save the dates. Utilize other free services such as a website and email. Only print out one menu for the table. This is an area that could save you potentially thousands depending on the guest count.


4. Time is Money

You will often hear people say that a wedding planner will save you time. A wedding day manager will save you time as well! From sourcing vendors, reviewing contracts, organizing the timeline, communicating with vendors. Time is money my friends and you cannot put a price tag on that.

 


5. I said it above but yes - a wedding planner will save you money and practically pay for themselves

Reviewing contracts, helping you cut costs when possible, introducing you to vendors that work within your budget. A wedding planner can help you save so many costs that they actually end up paying for themselves. A wedding day manager can also help you save costs as you are finalizing the last minute details of your wedding such as transportation, hair and make up, gifts etc.


6. Factor in monetary gifts from showers and the wedding

There are a couple of ways to look at this. Instead of a gift, you could ask to be gifted a wedding planning service or if a wedding planner or wedding day manager brings you slightly over budget - don’t stress! Remember that will you most likely be given a monetary gift and you can put that towards the additional cost. Yay for those guests!


7. We know the the industry

I think this goes without saying that wedding planners know people in the industry. We can guide you in the right direction for a vendor that suits your style, vision and budget. We know the vendors who are very well versed in their genius and vendors that will leave you feeling every penny spent was worth it.


8. Mistakes cost money

Don’t try to teach yourself how to become a wedding expert while planning your wedding. Mistakes happen and they will happen, we get it. But they come at a cost. Didn't order something in time and now your paying extra in shipping? Forgot to add in those extra chairs and your paying someone to go pick up them up and drop them off? Ordered something you don’t really need? Trust in a wedding planner or day of manager to guide you through the process to eliminate these mistakes and extra costs.


9. Party vs the Experience

This one may sound harsh to some but cut down that guest list a little bit. Do you really need to give plus ones to all the single people? No ring no bring is my policy. Do you really need your co workers there? Parents best friends? Relatives you haven’t talked to in years? Probably not. If you cut down the guest list even by a dozen people - that will give you enough to cover a wedding planning service. This however does depend on your priorities. Do you want the party? Or do you want the guest experience enhanced? Of course you could have both - but that does come at a cost.


10. Plan for it - include it in your budget as if its a necessity. Like how you plan on providing food.

All weddings come with an agreed upon budget. When you come up with that budget you consider all the necessities (food, alcohol, decor, florals) so why not include at least, a wedding day manager into the list of necessities. If you budget for it in the beginning it will not seem like such a huge cost.


Jennifer Ungaro