Planning for this year’s spring, summer, and autumn weddings should now be in full swing. For those of us who work in the wedding industry, hiring a professional planner to help with a wedding seems to make perfect sense. When the topic of DIY (do it yourself) events versus hiring a wedding planner arises in conversation, people sometimes don't fully understand how beneficial having a professional wedding planner can be. With any wedding, the decisions to be made and the plethora of details to organize can become overwhelming, even for the most organized of DIY couples.
A professional planner can easily help you navigate through it all before it reaches the point of all-consuming, and it may even be able to put your budget at ease along the way. Who hasn’t been to—or heard a story about—a wedding where something just didn’t go as planned? The desired outcome for any event is that it flows seamlessly, but the reality is that without the oversight of a dedicated planner,
PERSONALITY IS KEY WHEN PLANNING THE
DETAILS OF SUCH A MEMORABLE CELEBRATION
Crucial details can easily be overlooked. It is fair to say that things can go wrong even with a wedding planner, but the difference is really in how problems are handled and resolved. Any seasoned professional would agree that when there is an event, expect the unexpected! In lieu of enjoying your celebration as guests, is it fair to rely on friends or family to resolve issues that may arise? Who is there to organize the wedding processional and get them down the aisle on time? What happens if the caterer is late? What happens when unexpected guests show up? You can create the most stunning event on your own, but the truth of the matter is that if something goes awry and affects your guest’s experience, that could become the most memorable detail of your celebration.
Is it worth taking the risk to forgo a wedding planner for your event? What are you really saving by not hiring a planner for your event? Often times a professional planner is able to save time and money by introducing clients to vendors that are the right fit for their event vision and budget. Remember, a professional planner creates events on a regular basis and the experience gained from doing so is absolutely invaluable. A professional planner may be able to negotiate pricing and contracts more efficiently than a client on his/her own and can easily coordinate all of the rental needs for your event.
Paying experienced professionals who knows what they are doing can put your mind at ease, whether planning a casual or upscale affair. So what is the best approach to finding the right wedding planner? First and foremost, determine what level of assistance you think you will need, and seek out a planner or full-service caterer that offers different levels of professional event coordination. Coordination options should include full-event planning to partial-event planning and day-of-event coordination. Seek out an experienced professional who can offer references and has established positive vendor relationships in your area. Most importantly, hire a planner who you feel at ease with. Personality is key when planning the details of such a memorable celebration.
WEDDING PLANNERS
BLISS EVENTS
Acra, 518-821-5020,
myblissevents.comProvides beauty and elegance in everything they do. Services include event design, decor, tent draping, prop rental, vintage furniture rental, customized themed strolling table, day-of-event coordination, little girls princess parties, weddings, anniversaries, sweet sixteens, milestone birthdays, holiday parties, and bridal and baby showers.
CHARMED PLACES
New Paltz, 845-255-2475,
charmedplaces.comHaving worked in the events industry for over 17 years, Lydia has grown and refined her planning skills through hands-on experience. As the owner of Charmed Places, Lydia works with creative and dynamic clients searching for a unique event location and planning partner that reflects their personal style and vision. Photo by Raquel Reis
EVENTS THAT MATTER
Rosendale, 917-450-1139, eventsthatmatter.netFocusing on events that incorporate recycled and reusable products, and also aim to reduce waste. Practicing sustainability by suggesting fair trade/local goods and services. Offering you fresh and innovative ideas for your next event. Their mission is to offer clients suggestions on how your event can be produced in a more green and conscious way. As a client you will pick what steps you would like to take, we believe that every little bit helps!
MAIN COURSE
845-255-2600, New Paltz, maincoursecatering.comEvery couple has a unique vision of their wedding day. From the moment you walk in our door, Main Course event planners are there to help you bring that vision to life. Whether it’s deciding on the perfect venue, or choosing the right china pattern, Main Course staff will be by your side, insuring that every detail is addressed. Expect highly personalized service from our professional staff – their only goal is to make the planning process as easy for you as walking down the aisle.
UPSTATE EVENTS
Hudson Valley, 845-626-1531, upstateeventsny.comUpstate Events offers farm-to-table catering, full-service event planning and private chef services for the Hudson Valley and Catskill Regions. Their philosophy is simple: to create elegant, memorable, and one-of-a-kind experiences for any occasion. From weddings and corporate gatherings to photo shoots or backyard barbecues, they are committed to providing an impeccable experience and delicious cuisine.
