Our mission:
As any couple knows, or will quickly find out, planning a wedding is a HUGE endeavor. There are so many decisions to make, and unless you've got the background of an event planner, or nerves of steel & are able to coordinate all the different modalities of your big day, well, hiring a planner affords you the luxury of being a guest at your own wedding!
Wedding planners are not just for couples w/ unlimited budgets; in fact a wedding planner or consultant, will actually SAVE you money, in most cases no matter the budget.
A planner guides you through the process, up until and during your big day & is there to attend to every detail, assisting in whatever capacity you need.
He, or She, can help refine your ideas, connect you to the best & most appropriate vendors, advise on proper etiquette, and mostly, suggest on how to use your budget wisely.
A good planner will listen to you & analyze what you are looking to do, help you to find the resources to get it done, and be w/ you every step of the way. Keep in mind, the best planners, while there to lead the way & lend expertise, it doesn't mean you need or have to "surrender" control of your wedding. I ALWAYS make sure my brides & grooms have the final say in the decision-making process.
Having a professional look after your details & time-lines can be invaluable when it comes to making your wedding a success. Experienced planners have spent years building & growing relationships w/ vendors & will be your liaison. They also will be able to get discounts & access that you can't get on your own. You'll want a planner who can listen & be honest about what you can afford & who can also find less expensive alternatives you'll be happy with, if necessary.
From photographs, to food and cake, to flowers & music, they help w/ the transitions & logistics, and will make sure your big day is seamless & stress-free, so you can focus solely enjoying yourself & the experience of the beginnings of "happily-ever-after!
Since you'll want & need a high level of trust w/ your planner, locating a planner through friends & "family", or word-of-mouth is preferable. Portfolios & websites are lovely, but since gay marriage is still relatively new to all of us, w/out a "gay connection" & an attention to your own personal needs & details, (not to leave out their enthusiasm for you & your big day!), a corporate, orchestrated, or managed "company" doesn't really have a clue about gay weddings, at least here in our state of Iowa!
As for a planner's cost or fees, they depend on the type of "service" you want or need. Some charge a flat rate,; others buy the hour. Personally I charge a percentage of the total budget, usually 18 to 20 percent. If you feel you can't afford "full-service fees", or don't need someone w/ you every step of the way, you can save money by hiring a planner to help w/ the few days leading up till your wedding, or just during the wedding itself.
The best affirmation of my, or any other planner's, value is when your wedding leaves the intended impression.
I ask my clients how they want to feel at the end of their big day. And then I make that happen.....
Best Regards,
Beau Fodor
© Beau W. Fodor 2009
