Hey, y'all! I've invited Jessica from Jessica Lynn Weddings & Events to write today's post about what a wedding planner actually does, and why you should hire one. As a photographer, I highly recommend that you at least have a wedding planner at your wedding for day-of coordination services. Oftentimes, I find myself filling in this vital role at weddings, as well as trying to do my own job of photographing your wedding, and it can get a little crazy (okay, a LOT crazy) when I'm trying to fill two very different roles. So, I'm gonna turn the rest of this blog post over to her, and I hope you guys will give her a call for your wedding!

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica; the girl behind Jessica Lynn Weddings & Events. I was born in a small town in Missouri and moved to Albuquerque as a child where I met and (have maintained) some of my very closest friends. I have traveled all over, but there is something about the Southwest that keeps me coming back; the blue skies, the open land, the warm sun and beautiful mountains are truly hard to beat. The things I enjoy the most are spending time with family and friends, walking or hiking in the beautiful Sandias, and traveling.

Growing up, I knew I was different from some of the other kids. I obsessed over homework, deadlines, and studying. The weirdest part? I actually enjoyed it. I loved being uber-organized, prepared, and confident. When my parents finally got cable TV, I was 16 years old, which is also the age when I knew I wanted to be a wedding planner. I would wake up before school every morning and watch “Whose Wedding is it, Anyway?”, which, if you remember, was a show long before “Say Yes to the Dress”, and featured brides who desperately needed help from wedding planners.  I would watch this show in awe as these wedding planners were the masterminds behind the scenes, coordinating and handling big and small details so that the couple’s big day went off without a hitch. From that moment, I knew I wanted to plan weddings and events and could apply my perfectionistic traits to the benefit of others.

So, let’s get to the good stuff...How can a wedding planner help you? Many ways! After you say, “Yes!”, you might be thinking, “Uh, so, now what?”. Wedding days are made of thousands of minute details, and wedding planners can handle all of those pesky details for you. When you’re planning your wedding, you’re most likely looking at hiring a DJ or band, hiring a caterer, choosing a venue, choosing a reception venue, choosing reception music, choosing flowers, choosing a cake or special desserts for the guests, and more. These decisions all require an immense amount of work which can often seem like daunting tasks; phone calls, emails, and visits with local vendors to determine the best options for your budget. A wedding planner can take that work off of your plate and provide you with a summary of options appropriate for you; so you can focus on enjoying your engagement.

What kind of wedding planner should you get? Many wedding planners offer different services depending on your budget and your needs. If you prefer a high-detail level of planning, I would suggest hiring a planner during your engagement, at least six months prior to your wedding. This will ensure that the planner is able to be with you every step of the way; making all the phone calls, setting appointments with vendors, checking things off the list right there with you, and ensuring nothing is forgotten! You could also hire a wedding planner to do day-of coordination for your big day. No matter what your budget is, everyone should enlist some level of wedding planning services.

What are the benefits of hiring a wedding planner for day-of coordination? I’m just going to come right out and say it: On your wedding day, you won’t have time and you won’t want to handle all of the teeny tiny details that will inevitably come up. How will you, as a bride, coordinate your bridesmaids’ hair and makeup while simultaneously making sure that the photographer is capturing photos of the groomsmen, the DJ has the allotted space he needs, guests are being seated, and the music starts on time? You can’t! Well, maybe you could, but you would be incredibly stressed out, irritable, and you would NOT be enjoying your special day. Hiring a wedding planner for day-of coordination makes a world of a difference. A wedding planner is behind the scenes making sure that all elements and details are set. A wedding planner will make sure that the guests are being seated, that the wedding cake was delivered and staged properly, the officiant knows where to stand and when to start, etc. The list goes on and on! Your wedding day is about you and your significant other. It’s about living in the moment and enjoying one of the best days of your life. It’s not about stress or worrying. It goes by so fast, and I want you to truly appreciate every second.

I know you are capable; I know you know your vision for your wedding. However, I know you are busy, and I know you might feel overwhelmed. Do yourself a favor, and hire a wedding planner!

Congratulations on your engagement!

XOXO,

Jessica Lynn

Jessica Lynn Weddings & Events

www.jessicalynnevents.net

planwithjess@gmail.com | 505-615-1821

Instagram: @jessicalynn_events