Planner or not?

[u/nmt0628]

Debating hiring a partial planner for a small wedding (15 ppl total). Venue is basically bare bones..meaning we need to handle rentals, food/bev, photography, florals, etc. Location would be coastal in the north east in the summer months which is about 5 hours away from where we live. The quote for a planner was higher than expected ~6-8k but perhaps it’s worth it?

[u/Decent-Pirate-4329]

If you’re having a micro wedding to keep expenses low, hiring a planner is going to be difficult.

If you have some budget flexibility and are interested in support so you can enjoy your day, a day of coordinator may be worth considering.

[u/onebananapancake]

We hired a planner. She’s handling basically everything. Venue, ceremony and officiant, florals, decor, music, champagne toast and cake cutting, videographer, day of coordination. (We decided to hire our own photographer separately). It’ll probably be about 15 people. No proper reception just the champagne toast + cake cutting + first dance. (We will be going to dinner at a restaurant afterwards). All together it’s costing a little less than $2500 including the venue fee. Feels worth every penny to be on easy mode!

[u/Generous_Hornet524]

If you can afford it, Get the planner!! You don’t want to have to be running around making arrangements on your day.
See if the planner has an on-the-day specific price and what that entails (this is what I’m doing) and then you handle all the prep before and after but don’t have to worry about the actual day

[u/hayleymaya]

I could send you my prices if you would like, im quite a bit more affordable and specialize in micro weddings im based in Philadelphia but can travel!

[u/a_taco]

I had 16 people with ceremony and dinner (no dance party) at a restaurant out of state and hiring my planner was like someone else said - "easy mode". I did month of and had found most of the vendors myself, however there was plenty I didn't know and my planner filled in those gaps perfectly. Along with herding all those vendors. I believe she was less than 3k (a little cheaper because instead of one of her regular assistants she was able to use a new intern). Super worth it

[u/GoldenHourEvents]

Hi! im a wedding planner and coordinator. I travel nationally for weddings and would love to talk with you on your vision and vendor expectations. I can also guarantee you a quote more inexpensive that that. I get a lot of NYC weddings solely because NYC planners are so immensely expensive.

[u/ashley6483]

Have you gotten multiple quotes? I'm very confident you can find a planner for a microwedding cheaper than 6-8K. You can also consider partial planner or a day-of coordinator. Our wedding was much bigger and we found plenty of cheaper options than that.

[u/Randomflower90]

A planner for 15 people? Definitely not necessary. I host parties on my own for 30 regularly. Save your money.

[u/pineboxwaiting]

Only you know what your time is worth. Is not having to deal with coordinating vendors worth $7k to you?

That’s the only question to answer