A planner can make a wedding more relaxing

courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

Brittany Erkkila and Chris Wainscott were married Aug. 5, 2009 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy. They dated for six years and were engaged for 13 months.

SALT LAKE CITY - "I don't think people realize how much goes into planning a wedding," said Christine Miller owner of Libella Wedding Consulting & Event Coordination in Salt Lake City.

Miller said most of her clients are from out of town because people in Utah have such big families that, for example, Aunt June can do the flowers and Uncle Joe can do the photography. But what is left is the bride, groom and mother of the bride have to plan a wedding.

"As the wedding gets closer, because they don't quite realize there is a process, I get a phone call with them saying, ‘Help, we don't know what to do and we don't know if we are even on the right schedule,'" said Miller. "Then they realize they are in charge of details they don't want to be in charge of on the day of the wedding."

In the long run couples can save money by hiring a wedding planner, Miller said; it takes between 200 and 300 hours to plan a wedding. Most wedding planners will charge 10 percent to 20 percent of the total budget of the cost of the wedding. Options range from full-service packages that include everything to customizing their own package. There are ways to save money on flowers, the cake and different photographers.

"People should call a wedding planner even if they just call to have a do-it-yourself get started meeting," she said. "In that meeting I will give them all the information they will need including a checklist and vendor referrals within their budget and then they can do it themselves. Whether they are going to use a wedding planner or not, they will still need some guidance." s

A wedding is like a production and using the right vendor within a budget will result in a successful wedding. The vendors include the dress boutique for the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses, the tuxedo shop, the florist, the photographer, the caterer, the bakery for the cake and the flower shop. They also have to decide if there is going to be a limo or a get-away car to escort the party to and from the wedding.

"If they are going to get married and use some place that serves food, they still have to determine how many guests, whether or not it will be a sit-down dinner or a buffet, just hors d'oeuvres, or petite confections; then they have to go over the menu and decide if all of this is in their budget," Miller said. "For example one bride said she was going to have 300 guests and her budget was $5,000. The average cost for a meal for 250 guests is $25,000, which does not include alcohol.

"You also need to know if you are going to use specialty linens and what colors the bride wants to use," she added. "I like to have a design meeting with those involved in the planning to decide on the décor, the theme or feeling they want to present, and then start meeting with the rest of the vendors who become part of the team."

Decisions have to be made about what to put on and not to put on the invitations, which need to be sent at least a month in advance of the wedding, she said.

Miller cautioned couples to plan as far ahead as they can in securing their vendors because the wedding season starts in May and people start booking in January when bridal shows begin.

"Put together a list so it is clear who is going to be paying for each item because the vendors will ask that question," she said. "They're not asking because they want to charge you more, they're asking because they need an idea of what your budget is so you don't go over your budget."