Weddings in modern American culture can be very stressful and expensive. Perhaps that’s why fewer couples are pursuing marriage. While 72% of adults over 18 were married in 1960, only 51% can say the same today. As the average age of couples getting married increases, many brides and grooms find that investment in a wedding and event planner is the only way to plan a wonderful event without sacrificing their careers and other time demands.

What Do Wedding Planners Do?
Wedding event planners have all the inside information about the best florists, party hall rentals, photographers, and more, as well as how to pull off a beautiful wedding on a budget. They know how to deal with stress, what to do when things go wrong, and how to set a proper budget. Wedding planners are skilled at color coordinating, brainstorming great ideas, and designing spaces and can often secure discounts on the elements that make all those things come together. Choosing the right wedding planner package can be tricky, however, as it’s easy to get carried away with such an excellent resource at your disposal.

What Should Wedding Planner Packages Include?

Full wedding planner packages covers details from beginning to end. Look for the following elements:

• Initial consultation with the bride and groom
• Unlimited phone and email availability during business hours
• A certain number of planning meetings
• Assistance with budget development
• Timeline and checklist development
• Help with site tours, selection, and booking of venues
• Assistance selecting colors, themes, and wedding style
• Answers to etiquette questions
• Help with selection of wedding attire and accessories and accompaniment to fittings
• Help finding, negotiating with, and booking vendors. The wedding planner package should also include scheduling appointments and accompanying clients to a certain number of meetings with:
  • Baker
  • Caterer
  • Florist
  • Musicians
  • Photographer
  • Rental facilities
  • Videographer
  • Bridal shops
  • Officiant
  • Transportation
• Coordination with vendors in regards to scheduling
• Assistance choosing invitations
• RSVP tracking
• Ceremony planning assistance
• Itinerary preparation and delivery to vendors
• Final walk through with client
• Final vendor consultations

Where Did It All Come From?

Wedding planning hasn’t always been as complicated as it is now, but many of the traditions that are familiar to us now come from the “wedding planner packages” of yesteryear. Why do we carry bouquets? It started with Early Roman brides who carried herbs like garlic and rosemary under their veils to symbolize fidelity and fertility as well as to ward off evil. Why is that rock on your finger a diamond? Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave one to his fiancee, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477 and it stuck. Why do we call it “tying the knot”? In ancient Babylonian weddings, threads from the bride’s and groom’s clothes were tied together to symbolize union. When you tie the knot, a planner can make things easier. Just make sure you choose the right wedding planner package and enjoy the day. Remember: Whatever goes wrong, at the end of the day you’ll still be married to your best friend. Good references here.