100 Things a Wedding Planner Thinks About So You Don't Have To

Before I began planning weddings, I underestimated the value of hiring one. I imagined planning my own wedding and I thought anyone who decided to spend the money to hire a professional was spoiled. I am here to prove my past self wrong. Very wrong. I would argue to anyone that event planners are a necessity. Of course there are different services a planner can provide but in most cases, I would recommend a full planner. Why? Because we know a lot. There are so many things to know about weddings that people don't even realize.

So here's a list to give you an idea of how valuable it is to hire a planner:

1. A dance floor for 100 people should be at least 15'x15'

2. You can comfortably fit only 10 seats at a 72" round table with chargers...12 seats without chargers

3. Invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks in advance

4. Save the Dates should be sent out 6 months in advance

5. A first glance should be 3 hours before the start of the ceremony

6. Bridal Party and family should be tucked away 30 minutes before the ceremony for when guests arrive

7. Attrition: The percentage of the price you have to pay of a hotel block if a certain amount of rooms don't get booked by guests

8. Pave: A cake stored in the kitchen so that you have enough servings for all the guests if the decorated cake isn't big enough...also saves money

9. When renting glassware for cocktail hour and reception, you should account for 2 drinks per guest for cocktail hour and 3 drinks per guest for reception

10. Always order enough food, flatware, china, and glassware to feed your vendors

11. How to create flow throughout the evening in your decor without being repetitive

12. How to create a scaled drawing for the layout of the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception

13. How to tip your vendors after the event

14. How to manage your budget

15. Where to skimp and in your budget and where you definitely shouldn't...like your cake. No one likes a dry cake.

15. DIY projects take double or triple the time you expect them too

16. All inclusive venue does not actually mean all inclusive

17. I can do more with your budget with less work if you pay for full planning than you would if you pay only for partial planning and try to recruit family and friends as vendors or to make decor instead of hiring experts

18. How to create a layout that is the best for guests and service staff

19. How to ensure there won't be a line at the buffet

20. Admit it, no one wants to watch an hour of first dances and speeches

21. How to spread out a reception so that guests aren't bored watching said dances and listening to said speeches while being hungry but still leaving time for dancing!

22. What kind of power you need for DJ/Band, lights, etc.

23. Ensuring there is a space next to the reception to act as a catering kitchen

24. Thinking about vendor insurances and licenses

25. Checking with the venue that they don't have restrictions on which vendors are allowed on property

26. If the venue includes chairs, tables, flatware, glassware, china, does it provide enough for the amount of guests you have

27. Does the venue provide two sets of chairs for ceremony and reception

28. If not, do they provide the staff to move the chairs during cocktail hour

29. Does the venue provide staff to set up all of the products included in the contract

30. When the venue lists the number of guests that fit in the space, is that including a dance floor, stage, and buffet

31. There is a proper way to lay out the tables so that service staff and guests have enough room to walk in between without disturbing the person sitting at the chair

32. The traditional order for family and bridal party to process down the aisle

33. Plan B items such as umbrellas, tents, bug spray, shawls, flip flops

32. Sunset time on your wedding day in order to plan photographs and ceremony start time

33. Keeping cars out of site of guests and photographs

34. How many people fit at a rectangular table based on the centerpieces or table runners you use

35. How to fold napkins

36. How to set a proper place setting

37. How many extra of everything you need. At least one chair breaks at every wedding

38. How to return rentals, breakage, sending linen bags, etc.

39. What size linens are needed for each table

40. How to tuck a linen so they look neat and beautiful

41. That you should always read a vendor contract in detail before signing

42. How to steam linens

43. How to pin a Boutonniere

44. How to tie a tie

45. How to make a day off hair and makeup schedule

46. Add faux invitations for photographs so as to not give away guest addresses

47. How to move and repurpose florals from ceremony to reception

48. Make sure to have 1000 lighters on hand for candles

49. How to cut a wedding cake

50. That you might not be allowed to have open flame and how to decorate with that in mind

51. The right amount of bars for your guest count

52. What catering equipment needs to be rented

53. How much alcohol to order based on your guest count and alcohol preferences

54. How to manage vendors and staff

55. How to save the top tier of your wedding cake so it tastes just as good a year later

56. Even better, that you can ask your baker to make you a fresh cake for your anniversary

57. That a first look can be just as special, if not more, than walking down the aisle

58. First looks are more practical for photographs and more enjoyable for the couple so they don't have 1000 pictures to take during cocktail hour

59. Place table cards so that the wording faces the doors that guests enter from

60. How to number the seats at the tables

61. What kind of sparklers to buy for a send off.

62. How to light sparklers. They are surprisingly hard to light and you don't want them to burn out

62. That guest books require special pens that don't smear

63. How to create a Plan B that is just as beautiful as Plan A...And then prepare for Plan C

64. Don't book your venue before you know your guest count

65. The best way to inflate or minimize your budget is with your guest count

66. Book your venue, photographer, DJ/Band first

67. Florals can be 10%-20% of your entire budget

68. Not all flowers are in bloom every season, make sure to find alternatives

69. Which flowers last for several hours outside of water for the boutonnieres and bouquets

70. Pinterest isn't always your friend. It is a great tool to get started for inspiration but if you want that exact flower wall at your wedding for your photo booth, it is going to be A LOT more money than you think

71. Always check that the GPS brings you to the correct location

72. Tell your bridal party and family to arrive 30 minutes before you actually need them there

73. How to tell parents who are pitching in financially that they're not the ones getting married without offending them

74. How many servers/bartenders you need

75. How many hours does your venue allow you to stay

76. Are there dressing rooms for the bridal parties with good lighting

77. Is there any decor that isn't allowed i.e. glitter

78. Are animals (dogs) allowed

79. Do you provide heaters if it is outdoors and cold

80. Do you require security guards

81. Do you offer coat check

82. What time are vendors allowed to start setting up the day of

83. What time do all vendors have to be loaded out the night of

84. Do you vendors charge a late night pick up fee

85. Do your vendors offer next day pick up

86. Is there a separate space for cocktail hour

87. Does the venue provide help getting collateral items back to a car or room i.e. top tier of cake, guest book, cards, decor

88. Can Ubers/Lyfts access the venue

89. Are there noise restrictions

90. Is the site handicap accessible

91. Offer options for dietary restrictions or non drinkers

92. How many restrooms are necessary for your guest count

93. Bring stain remover. Red wine on a white dress? No thank you

94. Have something old, new, borrowed, and blue

95. Bring black dress socks for men

96. How to bustle a gown

97. Bring heel protectors for grass

98. Aerated lawns are the best for heels not to sink into if you're having a part of your celebration outdoors

99. How to open a bottle of wine

100. How to design a flower arrangement

Lastly, a wedding planner has the ability to manage ON THE DAY. If you plan your own wedding, you have to trust that everything you have done thus far will come together as planned. And let me tell you, that never happens. There is always a glitch of some kind, and with a wedding planner, you will not have to worry about that. We handle it on our own, and we might not even have to tell you or worry you. You get to sit back, get pampered, and focus on the amazing love you have with your now husband. You don't have to run across the venue to get a bouquet of flowers, fill in for a DJ, or find an extra place setting. That is my job, and I'm pretty damn good at it!

I hope I made your decision to hire a wedding planner a little easier and made your day

XO Gabriella