Should you hire a wedding planner? Maybe you are in the beginning stages of planning your wedding, or maybe you are just a few months out, wherever you are in the planning process, a wedding planner can add so much value. I interviewed my friend Lydia from fern & flair Weddings and Events to give you the benefits of hiring a wedding planner!
1. Introduce yourself and your business! What are you passionate about?
Hey there! My name is Lydia Lane and I am the owner of fern & flair Weddings and Events. For as long as I can remember I have loved event planning. From small plays I would put together in elementary school to large fashion shows I would plan in my college years it has always been a passion of mine. Back in 2016 I decided to launch my dream of having a wedding planning business and never looked back. My favorite part of wedding planning is being able to create special thoughtful moments throughout a couple’s wedding day that they wouldn’t necessarily have had without being created. This can look like adding 15 minutes in the schedule to celebrate alone together post ceremony with a glass of champagne waiting for you or a simple reminder to pause and take in the moment before walking down the aisle. Allowing couples to be fully present in their celebration is my ultimate goal throughout the wedding day. We believe in “simply serving you.”
2. In your opinion, what are the top 3 reasons to hire a wedding planner?
1) You don’t know what you don’t know.
I think this one goes without being said.
2) You may actually save money
As a wedding planner much of what I do is help prioritize the budget and give alternative options that you wouldn’t know about. In the end the investment you make in a wedding planner can be easily offset by the money you are saved in other areas.
3) Enjoy your wedding day, stress free!
Without a point person to manage the timeline, vendors, and the hundred small logistics on a wedding day you are bound to be distracted and not fully present throughout the day to simply enjoy. As you are getting your hair done and sipping your mimosa the last thing you want is the bartender calling you needing directions and asking if you remembered to buy the ice.
3. Where do brides start? When should they book you?
Oftentimes couples will book with us after they have already booked the venue and a few other vendors. The best place to start with a wedding planner is at the very beginning before even booking the venue. You may not know of all your options before you sign the contract and wish you had gone in a different direction. We have had couples come to us 2 years in advance and 2 months before. We start working with couples wherever they are in the planning process and take it from there. One year out tends to be the sweet spot.
4. How do brides communicate their vision to you? How do you show them what their setup will look like?
With our planning clients we have just implemented a new design process. First we send a pretty lengthy questionnaire with over 100 questions. It includes questions such as “what are your favorite flowers?”, and even “what are your favorite stores to shop at?”. Then we put together an extensive design proposal taking all of their ideas and inspiration and laying them out in a cohesive way. For our local clients or clients visiting pre-wedding we will do a meeting at the rental company and play with table settings and decor so they can see it all come together in person as well as do a venue walk through and discuss layout in that meeting.
5. What is your biggest piece of advice from a wedding planner to a bride?
Focus on preparing yourself for your marriage and less on the wedding. Let your wedding planner take care of the smaller details and bring your vision to life so you can savor your engagement season and actually get excited for your big day.
I love Lydia’s heart to love and serve her clients and bring their vision to life. Being able to be fully present on your wedding day and savor every minute is a true gift! I highly recommend reaching out to fern & flair ASAP!
