If it seems too good to be true...

Ok, I must start by saying that this is not aimed specifically at anyone, but rather inspired by actual events.

I recently met a prospective client who inquired about Partial Coordination services. We had a couple of exchanges over email, a few lengthy phone conversations,  and agreed to take time to meet and sign a contract.  As I always do, I put several hours into reviewing the specifics of her event and lining up some important items for her, so that I'd be ready to hit the ground running by the time we signed the contract.  After not hearing from her for about a week or two about our contract signing appointment, I received an email saying that she had decided to hire a different wedding planner who was only charging them about $200 for the services they had asked me about. Now, you are probably thinking that the rest of this blog entry will be about how mad I was that after the work I had done on her behalf she decided to hire someone else, but actually, I wasn't mad at all... I was worried!

Knowing the specifics of her event, I do not understand how a reputable planner who didn't have a personal connection to them would charge them only $200 for all the services they asked for. When I asked if it had been a special discount she proceeded to tell me these were the planner's regular fees... which, of course, concerned me even more! How can this planner possibly do all the work involved in pulling off successful events with trained assitants for $200-300? Any planner in the business will tell you that even Day-Of Coordination services end up being about 25-50 hours of work at least, once you include all the behind the scenes work and all the staff involved. So, for an average event, their rates are $4 an hour, including assistant fees?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of overpriced wedding planners either, but when prices are this low... when something seems too good to be true, it normally is! I have actually spent a little time today researching this planner and I have to say that I am not breathing easy on behalf of this bride... I have serious concerns that her day will not be what she wants it to be, that something will go very wrong.

I hadn't even given them a quote yet, but I can say it would not have been $200. It wouldn't have been much, much more than that, but it would have definitely been more than twice that much based on the amount of guests, the amount of work expected, the amount of assistants I would need to hire, the traveling to/from her distant venue... and our services are actually very inexpensively priced!

Brides, a good planner knows how much work has to be done and wants qualified assistants making sure your event goes off without a hitch. We charge our brides the lowest possible amount needed to get the event staffed and executed well. Yes, we pay very close attention to the bride's budget, but quality is always our priority! Because I know that just about every bride is on a budget, I make sure that our fees are reasonable not just for us, but for their budget, and I make sure that I save them as much money as possible through vendor discounts. With almost all the clients I have ever booked for full coordination services, I have made sure to secure vendor discounts that added up to at least the fee I was charging for planning services, so that hiring a planner wasn't a burden on their budget, but a great investment that didn't cost them anything.

Bottom line, spending less money on a planner who is inexperienced and may ruin your special day isn't getting a deal... it is a tragedy! AT the end of the day, it may end in either disaster, or in no money saved at all-- if the planner you hire is in over her head and you end up having to scramble to hire a professional after all, you have just wasted whatever you paid the inexperienced planner to begin with. Be wise, be thorough, make an informed decision... whether you hire us or not, make sure you hire someone competent and committed to you and what matters to you!

As for the bride, I graciously parted ways with her and wished her the best of luck with her big day, and let her know that if she does need me in the future, I would love to help her with anything. I hope this doesn't end up being a lesson learned at an inopportune time for her, and I really hope her day is beautiful and goes well. Every bride deserves a beautiful day, and I really hope she has it!!

Until next time!
Jackie