Why You Should Hire Your Wedding Planner Before Your Venue!
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and frustrating! There are so many to-do’s and conflicting information! But don’t fret- that’s where Bethany Faber Events comes in! You have probably heard “Book your venue first!” And white I don’t disagree with this, I also believe that you should hire your wedding planner before you book your venue!
Many engaged couples make the mistake of booking their wedding venue and other vendors before hiring a professional planner. Why is that a mistake you might be wondering?
There are a lot of factors and details that go into planning an event of this size, and it’s likely the first time you, as a couple, have ever navigated something like this. There are many choices and decisions to consider which can quickly lead to wedding planning feeling like your new full-time job. This is where planners shine! We have the expertise and knowledge of all the different venues and vendors that can best reflect your style, personality, and budget. I also used to work for a venue, so I have an inside perspective from the venue that brings another unique factor into working with me.
The venue is often one of the most exciting pieces of the wedding planning puzzle for couples! However, it’s often where I see the most costly mistake made! There are so many variables to think about when selecting your ideal venue and couples do not always realize the additional fees and upgrades they may have to add on to have the wedding they want. If you have a planner on your side that knows what you are envisioning, we can provide guidance and expertise upfront on how to make each venue work for your style, as well as those associated costs.
Let’s dive into our top 3 benefits for choosing your wedding planner before you officially secure your venue:
You’ll have an expert on your side from the beginning.
When you hire a wedding planner before selecting your venue, you’ll have an experienced professional to guide you through the entire process. A great planner will have a wealth of knowledge about different venues in your area and can help you narrow down your options based on your budget, style, and priorities. This can save you a lot of time and stress, as you won’t have to wade through countless options on your own. They will have worked with many venues before and can provide valuable insight and feedback that you may not have thought to ask about. As planners, it’s our job to not only help you think through the smaller details but also look at the big picture of the entire wedding weekend to make sure it’s stress-free for you, your family and all your guests.
As we mentioned, not only will a wedding planner help you narrow down your choices and present you with a curated list of venues that fit your aesthetics and budget. There’s also the expertise and guidance factored in the entire wedding planning experience and some of your bigger picture decisions. Just last week, one of our newly booked clients came to me after doing a couple of venue tours on their own. They thought that they would be coming into the meeting with a decision made, but instead came into the meeting with even more confusion on where have their wedding! After discussing what they are wanting from their venue, what their vision for the wedding is, and budget, I gave them an option that they didn’t even know existed! After a tour, they didn’t even want to look at other prospect and they are booking that venue!
You’ll be able to plan your wedding with a cohesive vision in mind.
When you choose your venue before your planner, you may find yourself having to sacrifice certain parts of your wedding vision around the limitations of the space. This can lead to compromises and a less cohesive overall look and feel. However, when you work with a planner from the beginning, they can help you select a venue that aligns with your vision and can help you bring your dream wedding to life.
If the design is of bigger importance to you for your wedding day, there are a lot of logistics that need to be considered starting with the venue. By booking your planner first, we will help you come up with a cohesive design and options to consider. Understanding what the time constraints are for each design vendor is imperative to know when securing a venue. Most venues only allow access for a set number of hours so if you have a more detailed set up, you might need to add on hours to your venue rental. Having a planner to help navigate these logistics and communicate with your venue and vendor team can be a huge relief and benefit to setting up your event for success from the beginning! We booked a venue that came in under budget and has everything they are wanting!
Your planner can help you stay within your budget.
Working with a planner from the beginning can help you establish a budget that is both comfortable for you and realistic based on your vision. This is a crucial part of the planning process because the venue will likely be one of the first pieces to secure after hiring your planner (and one of the most expensive!). It’s important not to go “venue broke” by spending too much on your venue right from the start. There could also be additional costs, such as additional or upgraded rental items, early arrival fees, late-night breakdown fees, and additional design production fees on top of any other “standard” costs associated with the wedding (outside catering, photography, music, florals, etc.).
A wedding planner can help you navigate these potential pitfalls by breaking down the pricing of each venue and identifying any additional costs upfront. They can also help you prioritize your spending so that you focus on the elements of your wedding that are most important to you. This ensures that you get the most out of your budget without compromising your vision or overspending.
While there’s no one “right” way to plan a wedding, hiring a planner before selecting your venue can be a smart move. With an expert on your side from the beginning, you’ll be able to make informed decisions, stay within your budget, and plan a wedding that reflects your unique style and vision.
