Why Do I Need You; a question frequently asked of wedding planners

A question frequently posed to me when meeting with couples for the first time, is "why do I need you, if I already have a wedding planner provided by the hotel [or venue where my wedding will take place]?"  In reality, many couples mistake their catering or event manager as being a hotel/venue-supplied wedding planner.  Catering or event managers, however, differ greatly from wedding planners, particularly when it comes to roles and responsibilities.

The catering/event manager's primary responsibility is to ensure the proper and smooth function of the catering operations of the facility.  This means clearly defining the meal and beverage specifics for each event, ensuring a positive customer experience, communicating internally amongst the related departments as to what to expect and execute for each event, and sometimes, can even involve helping clients to find other services providers, such as entertainers, floral designers, linen/rental providers, and yes, even wedding planners!

Catering managers work with the chef and with the couple on menu selection as well as options.  Photo by Perfekt Photo.

The wedding planner, on the other hand, really takes into account a couple's wedding as a whole, and can be involved with all aspects of the wedding.  Wedding planners connect couples with vendors and service providers , coordinate with these different professionals, advise and guide the couple, represent them when dealing with their venue/vendors, and oversee things on the wedding day.  Typical areas of a wedding that a wedding planner might cover, and a venue's catering manager might not, are attire, emcee, favors, hair and make-up, invitations/stationery, limousines/transportation, and extras like photo booths.

Although the specifics of what each planner offers may vary, one thing that we (and other wedding planners) can assist with is gown shopping or the scheduling of appointments at bridal salons.  Photo by Mike Pham Photography.

There are many "grey" areas where there is potential for overlap (such as entertainment. flowers, specialty rentals, audio-visual, officiants, wedding cakes, photography, and videography), particularly if the venue offers these services in-house, but the wedding planner will often delve deeper into discussing the specifics of each area and customizing it to the couple's unique needs and wishes.  For example, a hotel or venue may be able to contract the photographer on behalf of a couple, but a wedding planner will discuss things like preparing a photo shot list, considering attire and hair and make-up that work well for something like an engagement shoot, or even helping the photographer to identify key family members on the wedding day for picture-taking.

As wedding planners, we ask musicians for their repertoire and encourage couples to consider their specific song choices, not just for the ceremony, but for key moments during the reception as well.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

The truth is, wedding planners and venue catering/event managers work hand-in-hand with the same goal of providing quality service to a couple to make sure that their event is as special and memorable as possible.  Entrust us, as your team, to make your wedding day wishes a reality.

Happy Planning!

Mona
neu events
(formerly known as Weddings by Grace and Mona)