Any Bride Can Afford a Wedding Planner

I hear it all the time, "I simply cannot afford a wedding planner." Primarily this is due to the fact that many brides in this area (Willamette Valley, OR) that I work with are dealing with small budgets (say anywhere from $5000-$20,000) and a bad economy, so therefore smaller bank accounts. While they may want a coordinator, most brides-to-be assume that it's just an additional cost they can't afford. What I tell them, and often surprise them with, is that anyone CAN and SHOULD afford a wedding planner.

First of all, you've never heard (in any magazine, blog, or other publication) a bride say that having a planner was a wasted cost--that she could have spent the money on something else. In fact, everywhere I've read, brides can't stop talking about how their wedding couldn't have happened without one!

To save money, the first misconception brides have is that they can do it themselves. While there are those out there who are super creative and super organized, it is rare that they are both those and full of time to get things done (especially as the wedding nears). Even if they are all three, what bride wants to spend her wedding day tracking down vendors and fixing problems instead of enjoying the most important day of her life so far?

A second misstep is that brides think they can entrust a friend or family member to do the planning/coordination. I don't know how many bridal reality shows have shown that this is rarely a good solution. Your Aunt Jean may be good at making floral arrangements, but that doesn't mean she has relationships with other vendors that can get you deals, or that she can wrap her brain around the million elements of a wedding and make sure that she has a plan B for anything that may go wrong. Additionally, she likely wants to be able to enjoy your wedding, and as your planner, this will be almost impossible.

A third misstep is that brides think there is no room in the budget for a wedding planner. Obviously I would encourage brides to include that cost in their typical budget from the beginning, but even if you created a budget without this cost, you won't need to do much rearranging to make it happen. I will show you how!

At Tried and True Weddings, we offer such a range of services and prices, that honestly, anyone can afford a wedding planner, no matter what the budget. Sure, if you want us to basically plan the entire wedding for you while you sit back and just relax that's going to cost you much more. Our full year, plan-everything-for-you plan is $2000 (cheap compared to some planners). Most brides don't actually require that much help. Our 2-3 month plan (basically planning everything important) runs for $1000.

But even if you can't afford that, we do have much more affordable options. Our day-of coordination package (highly recommended for any bride on a budget) is only $500 and really counts for coordination of the last 2-3 weeks of your wedding. Basically, no matter what status your wedding is in, we will turn it into perfection in 3 weeks, and make sure you walk down the aisle without a hitch. $500 is approximately the cost of a moderate wedding cake or the cost to print 100 minimal invitations, etc. It is not a large fraction in the whole of your wedding budget, no matter how big.

If $500 still seems like too much for your budget (and I have run into brides where this is the case), consider hourly advice. Brides always have a million questions, and sometimes if all answered by a professional, they may be able to have a smooth wedding without one (again not preferred, but an option). The cost to speak with me about everything from specific areas of your wedding to going through the whole thing and getting advice on every aspect is only $25/hour (this can be done via phone, in person, or over email). So you could possibly talk to me for 2 hours in the beginning of the wedding and have me give you advice on every aspect of the wedding (from decor to venues to food), and then talk to me for 2 hours right before the wedding and have me give you advice on making the day run smoothly, and all it has cost you is $100!

We also offer other services as well (including creation of stationery items or the planning of other wedding or non-wedding-related events) for an additional cost. If you are planning a destination wedding which requires travel for the planner, that travel and accommodations is an additional cost as well. Just ask us for a quote. *We do love to travel!*

Finally, not every package is going to work for everyone. Maybe you want a little of this and a little of that. I often get brides who say I can pay you X, what can you do for that price? I am more than happy to work with brides this way. Many other planners are not.

So whether you choose to work with my company, or any other company for that matter, I just want you to know that you can always afford a wedding planner, no matter what your budget. And honestly, your wedding will be a million times better for having done so. I can't tell you all of the compliments I've received from vendors, parents, and brides and grooms who are so surprised at the difference having a planner made, both in quality of the wedding and stress levels for those involved.

For our complete list of prices and services, please contact me at triedandtrueweddings@gmail.com and I'd be happy to provide you with our rate sheet. In the meantime, happy planning to everyone!

~Amber