When deciding to work with a wedding planner, it’s important that you set the right expectations from the onset. Many times, couples have the notion that hiring a wedding planner means they can let go and leave matters at the hands of the planner. That may be true, but not entirely. The real deal is that while your wedding planner will be the key person to orchestrate your wedding, you and your husband-to-be will still have to be involved. Today we are fleshing out the details so you know what your wedding planner’s responsibilities are and what tasks are still for you to do.
[From: A Simply Sweet Hong Kong Wedding with Romantic Red Details / Photo:
1) Coordinating with all the vendors
Your wedding planning is in charge of coordinating with all your wedding vendors, especially on your wedding day. If you started talks with your vendors, in the succeeding correspondences, make sure to loop your planner in so he or she can start to work on taking care of the details for you.
2) Recommending vendors
When you still haven’t found all the vendors you need, your wedding planner can definitely make recommendations. He or she has worked with many vendors and can, more or less, gauge which ones will match your personality and needs. In a way, your wedding planner can act as consultant in this area.
[From: This Bride Donned a Stunning Modern Red Dress for Her Chinese Wedding Ceremony / Photo:
3) Making sure the couple is on track with the wedding timeline
Your wedding planner is in charge of monitoring your progress and making sure you’re following your wedding planning timeline. If needed, he or she can also help in setting meetings to get the ball rolling.
4) Organizing the floor plan
While you can make suggestions and voice our your preferences, your planner is usually the one in charge of your floor plan. It’s essential that your wedding planner works closely with the venue you booked and your stylist in order to arrive at the most apt floor plan for your wedding day.
[From: This Bride Wore Wedding Dresses That Are Utterly Romantic / Photo: TAKEARAX]
5) Reviewing vendor contracts
Your wedding planner should also review your vendor contracts and make sure everything is in order prior to you signing the contracts. Planners can and should make recommended amendments if he or she cites anything is not favorable for the couple.
6) Overseeing the ceremony processional
When it’s time to walk down the aisle, your planner must be on top of everything–from knowing who is part of the entourage and should be in line, to what pace the processional should take. Your bridesmaids may help, but in the end your planner should be leading this part of the wedding.
[From: This Couple’s Genuine Love is Undeniably Inspiring / Photo: Daniel Yim Photography]
7) Creating the on-the-day timeline
You may make your own on-the-day timeline, but your planner will have the final say based on the circumstances. He or she will also be in charge of adjusting whenever the need arises.
8) Handling on-the-day concerns
No bride should be fussing about day-of concerns. Leave that to your wedding planner. If anything is amiss, it is the wedding planners job to find a solution to remedy the situation.
[From: Sweet Church Wedding With a Special Song From The Groom / Photo: Cadenza Studio]
9) Ensuring agreements between couple and vendor are met
Since you will be very preoccupied on your wedding day, it is also the wedding planner’s responsibility to ensure that all your agreements (and requests) with your vendors are met during your wedding. Hence, as mentioned, it’s important to keep your planner in the loop in your correspondences so he or she can track the agreements you have with vendors.
10) Making sure the couple’s personal property and wedding gifts are packed and kept after the wedding
After the wedding, the wedding planner’s job isn’t done. Your planner should make sure to account for all your belongings and gifts, and ensure that these are kept safely.
[From: Sweet Church Wedding With a Special Song From The Groom / Photo: Cadenza Studio]
11) Acting as peace maker
If there are any conflicts with vendors, your wedding planner should help pacify both parties so you can arrive at a sound agreement. No one wants a strained relationship between a couple and a vendor, for the wedding’s sake!
1) Establishing the wedding budget
Before the wedding planner can work his or her magic, he or she must he guided by a wedding budget. Arriving at this budget is solely the couple’s responsibility.
[From: This Couple’s Genuine Love is Undeniably Inspiring / Photo: Daniel Yim Photography]
2) Deciding on vendors
While your wedding planner can suggest vendors, ultimately, you will make the final call. After all, it’s your wedding day and you will know who best fits you and your husband-to-be.
3) Creating the guest list
Creating the guest list is one of the main tasks of the soon-to-weds. It’s your day; only you can decide who you want to have on such a special occasion.
[From: This Bride Wore Wedding Dresses That Are Utterly Romantic / Photo: TAKEARAX]
4) Organizing the seat plan
Similarly, the seat plan is also in your care. You know your guests so you will be the best to decide on their places. If you’re in need of some guidance, you may read this.
5) Tracking RSVPs
This one varies. Some planners do offer this service, but more often than not, this is also a responsibility of the bride and groom.
6) Tracking payments
You are also in charge of tracking your payments. While your planner helps with the details of the contract, including payment scheduling, you are still responsible for making sure you do pay your vendors on time.
[From: This Bride Donned a Stunning Modern Red Dress for Her Chinese Wedding Ceremony / Photo:
7) Bringing of attire and other personal needs
Your planner will be bringing your attire and other personal needs to the wedding venue. So, make sure you account for all the things you need to bring and pack the day before the wedding.
8) Giving the last payment or tips to vendors on the day of the wedding
Lastly, you will also need to take charge of giving the tip to all your vendors after your wedding. With money involved, you will want to take this task to make sure everything is given accordingly.
[From: A Simply Sweet Hong Kong Wedding with Romantic Red Details / Photo:
We know that not a lot of Hong Kong couples opt to hire a planner. After this article, you may reconsider hiring a planner for a carefree wedding. Otherwise, make sure you prepare for all the responsibilities. No matter which you go for, we hope you enjoy the wedding planning journey.
