Many couples think that they only need a wedding planner if they are planning an elaborate, traditional, and/or expensive wedding. However, handmade weddings, and the couples that plan them, can benefit greatly from the expertise and guidance of a wedding planning professional. Do you have time (and desire) to research and interview all vendors as well as design and screen-print all the invitations, programs, menus and escort cards? Or would you prefer to focus your efforts on the handcrafted elements and leave the nitty gritty of the planning (vendor research, timelines, and budgets) to a professional? Working with a wedding planner on a handmade wedding can free you up to focus on the handmade details that make planning a handmade wedding so much fun!
A note on planners...
Not all planners offer the same services or have the same specialty. As you interview different planners (and just like with every other vendor, you should speak to a few before making a decision) you will get a feel for how their services will fit into your unique planning process. If you are planning a wedding that will be heavy in handmade elements you should ask your planner if he or she has experience planning this type of wedding so the he or she can help steer you in the right direction throughout your planning.
What can a planner do for you and your handmade wedding?
Prior to interviewing planners, have a brainstorming session with your fiancee or family on what your dream handmade wedding and the planning process will look like. This can be as detailed as “I want to create my centerpieces out of tissue paper flowers” to the more general “I want a party on the beach”. Your planner will help you define that vision but it's helpful to have a starting point.
You probably have a pretty good idea how a wedding planner can help you plan a wedding (if not, take a look at our full service wedding planning package for a list of services), but how can she help you plan a handmade wedding? We break it down into three specific services.
- Project selection: If you have started researching handmade projects you have probably found an abundance of ideas on blogs, magazines and Pinterest. Your planner will help you sort through this wealth of information to find projects that fit your style and skill level. A Planner with experience in handmade weddings will have a good idea of what works. Wedding planning should be fun, but taking on too much can make it very stressful, so it's important to pick a few key projects that will bring your celebration to life instead of taking on every element of the day. The planning experience will help you create beautiful, personal elements, as well as give you insights into which corners just shouldn't be cut.
- Time management: An important part of choosing your handmade projects is thinking realistically about how much time you have to devote to these creations, including which you can prepare long before your wedding day and the crazy days immediately prior. Your planner can help you determine how much time projects will take to complete the projects that are most doable and important to you.
- Project consultation: So now you have decided which projects to take on, and you're sure that you have the time to complete them, but where to start? When we plan handmade weddings we are always there to help our client's source the supplies, assist with a tutorial, and help put on finishing touches if necessary.
What about on the day of the wedding?
Will the effort and time required to pull together these personal details detract from your experience on the big day? Stay tuned for a future post!
