The thought of a wedding planner may conjure up images of J-Lo films or celebrities with wild imaginations and too much money but you don't need to have Beckham-style purple thrones to enjoy the benefits of this fast-growing service. Since legislation relaxed the rules on where couples can marry, wedding planners - de rigueur in the States for years - have become increasingly popular in the UK.
According to wedding organiser Sarah Sienesi, (020 7798 8295) a lot of this increased interest is prompted by a lack of time. "It's no longer seen as lazy or extravagant to hire someone to help you organise your wedding. People get their groceries delivered at home and employ cleaners, so why not have someone with insider knowledge do your groundwork on the big day?"
The reasons some couples choose planners include the need to organise a wedding in a matter of weeks, the complexities of organising a ceremony abroad or simply because the bride doesn't know where to start. And it usually is the bride, according to Sarah. ‘Ninety nine per cent of callers are women," she says. " Even on the rare occasion that a groom calls me, I can hear his fiancée in the background giving instructions."
Sometimes organisers are asked to arrange the entire wedding, reception and honeymoon, others simply to perform one vital function such as sourcing a venue. Wedding organiser Deborah Dwek believes that the insider knowledge she has built up can save a couple a great deal of worry and research. "A good organiser will save you hours of phone calls and rushing around," she says. "For instance, if someone came to me wanting to get married in Kenwood House in North London, I'd be able to tell them right away that you're not allowed to dance there because of the Rembrants on the wall.
As with most things, fees vary widely, but generally there are four basic options.
- Flat fee. This depends on the individual planner but guarantees you no hidden extras. Some planners charge extra for marquee weddings, which can be more complex an time-consuming.
- Percentage. Some organisers charge around 10-15% of the total cost of the wedding but set a minimum level of overall cost of, say, £25,000
- By the hour. Like other professionals such as solicitors or accountants, some planners will charge you by the hour with a minimum fee of, say, £500.
- Separate payments per task. Some planners charge a separate fee for finding a venue, another for liaising with the caterer, and yet another for running the celebrations on the day. This works well for couples that want to arrange most of their celebration themselves but just need help with certain elements.
How to find the right planner for you
- The best way to find someone is by personal recommendation or you can find wedding co-ordinators on the internet on via adverts in wedding magazines.
- Flick through the organiser's portfolio of other weddings they have organised to ensure that their style is close enough to your own.
- Ask for references and phone numbers of previous clients so that you can chat to someone who has already used their services.
- Agree the fee up front and make sure there are no extras. If the planner doesn't have a standard contract, at least get everything you have agreed in writing.
