If you’ve been researching sites and vendors for your upcoming wedding for long, I’m sure you’ve noticed the popularity in including a wedding planner in their packages. This trend is misleading and unfair to both brides and genuine planners who have taken the time and spent the money to train for their craft and earn their designation. That is why so many articles recommend verifying the planner’s credentials to make sure they’re certified or accredited.
The “planners” provided by the venues or vendors are what I like to call “hostesses”. They are there to protect the people who pay them, or to get you to sign their contract, thinking you are getting the services of a wedding planner. They will not accompany you on appointments, preview your contracts, help you design your reception schematic, theme your wedding, provide you with wholesale pricing, develop a budget analysis, set up appointments or recommend vendors that would fit your budget and vision…the list goes on and on. These planners will generally be on site to unlock doors and to tell you and your wedding party when it’s time to walk down the aisle on the day of the wedding. They don’t meet with your vendors ahead of time and develop a wedding day schedule and coordinate all the services so that the day runs seamlessly.
Accredited planners provide so much more. You will receive a free, one-hour, get-acquainted session with a Signature planner that will discuss your vision and needs and develop a customized package based on your budget. You will hit the ground running by meeting to analyze your budget, determine what can be spent in each category and then receive a list of up to three vendor choices in each category–vendors of talent and integrity. A great deal of time is spent helping you choose your theme, colors, design, formality and style, offering our expertise and making suggestions. A worthwhile planner studies trends and is involved in continuing education to stay current with what is happening in design and weddings worldwide.
Planning your wedding should be a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved. Do yourself a favor and make your first appointment with Signature Weddings & Events–because you need us!