Recently Engaged!? Who do you Hire First?
You just got engaged and now your head is swimming with ideas. The excitement of starting your ‘ever after’ is at an all time high and the world of wedding planning and décor has fully opened. You are getting advice and input from every person you cross paths with and every day you have a different perspective of what you want your day to look like.
How do you get started? Do you really want to spend hours in the internet spiral? What date is ideal for you, what type of venue will create the vision you want, how many guests should you have, and most importantly - how much money are you willing to put towards this investment and celebration?
Stress free wedding day
All of these questions can be overwhelming and confusing! Planning a wedding can be all consuming if you really let it. But we are here to tell you that planning your wedding should be fun, it should not be filled with overwhelm and stress. That is why your first step should be to hire a wedding planner or a wedding designer.
Not sure what the difference is? Let’s start first with clearing up the difference. A wedding planner is your main contact for all things wedding. They focus on the logistics of your day, vendor referrals and even helping you negotiate contracts, and end with the day or weekend execution of your ideal wedding celebration. Depending on how involved and hands-on you want to be with your wedding planning, planners range from day or month-of coordination to full service planners.
focused wedding planner
Wedding planners have several main focuses to ensure your wedding celebration comes to life without a hitch. Not only do they focus on your full weekend timeline and floor plans, but they also help you manage your budget, they attend all vendor meetings including menu tastings and venue tours. Some will also help you coordinate design elements, room blocks and guest transportation. Essentially, they are with you throughout the weekend, including managing your rehearsal, ensuring your vendors arrive on time and load out at the end of the evening.
Now a wedding designer has a main responsibility to ensure the vision you have for your wedding is not only executed but is cohesive from the first interaction your guests have with your day to the very last moment. A wedding designer focuses on the look and feel of your day along with the guest experience throughout the celebration. A designer is able to transform a venue into something truly magical. Even if you don’t have a vision or are lost in the Pinterest shuffle, a designer will be able to narrow down the elements that will be most impactful. They will be able to conceptualize the big picture along with executing that vision.
intentional wedding designer
A wedding designer is not only going to curate a color palette and floorplans, but they are going to oversee your full décor budget along with vendors including, florists, rental companies, lighting, drapery and all paper elements. A designer is going to focus on the custom elements that will truly be unique to you and your vision. They are going to create what hasn’t been done before so that you and your guests experience a once in a lifetime celebration.
Now that you know the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding designer, let's jump back to why you should hire one of them first, especially if it is one that offers both services. They are going to be your ally in the wedding planning process, by showing you trusted vendors that they know will work within your budget and align with your overall vision. Your planner and / or designer is going to help you with bringing what is most important to you as a couple to the forefront, while also keeping all of the details in line so you are able to soak in all of the big and small moments of your day.
One question we get all of the time is, should you book a planner or a wedding venue first? So I respond with a question - is the venue the most important element for you or do you have a specific vision in mind? A designer will be able to tour venues with you to show pro’s and con’s to each when it comes to bringing your vision to life. If you book a venue first then a planner or designer afterwards, they will work with you to bring the best parts of the venue alive further while potentially showing you how they may compromise on your vision.
There are a lot of options when it comes to wedding planners in Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and across the Lowcountry, so when you are making your decision, make sure you are not only focusing on budget and design aesthetic, but also remember you are working with this professional for a year or more. Make sure they are someone you can have open communication with, that you trust them, and they understand what is important to you as a couple.
If there is anything that we can do to help you navigate this exciting process, don’t hesitate to connect with us. We would love the opportunity to bring your vision to life and create something beautiful that encompasses your unique love story. Click here to see our tips on making sure your wedding day feels like you!
