Do cheap weddings require wedding planners?

The short answer is no - you don't need to hire a professional planner - as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to do your own planning. It makes no difference whether we're talking cheap weddings or lavish ones - weddings don't plan themselves. Somebody has to do it.

How do you plan your own wedding?
Lots of research, lots of checklists. You're already doing online research - keep it up. Also, get your hands on as many bridal magazines as you can. There's plenty of good info there, in among the ads. Just be aware that "cheap weddings" aren't a high priority for bridal magazines or their advertisers - don't let them convince you that you have to spend a fortune to be a happy bride.

Pros and Cons of doing it yourself:
Obviously, planning it yourself is the cheapest way to go. There's plenty of free advice out there about cheap weddings - as long as you have the time to sift through it. You might also have a recently married friend or family member who can give you advice about planning your wedding (which has its own set of pros and cons - we may get to those a little later).

The downside to DIY:

• Information overload - it takes a lot more time than you think to track down all the information you need;
• Questionable information - Everybody has an opinion, but how do you know whose advice to listen to? Some free information is priceless, but some is worth exactly what you paid for it;
• What you don't know can cost you money - By doing it all yourself, are you missing out on a trade secret or professional connection that could save you money?

What can a professional wedding planner do for you, and what will it cost?
Wedding planners and consultants come in different flavors. Professionals may charge a set fee, or work by the hour or by the task, or for a percentage of what you spend, or for vendor commissions ("free" to you). Some wedding consultants offer full service planning - everything from setting a date to sending thank-you notes (not really an option if you're on a tight budget). Others specialize in one aspect or another - specialty venues, flower arrangements, food & drink menus, or wedding party fashions, for example. Cheap weddings and wedding consultants aren't mutually exclusive. If there's something you can't handle or don't have time for, go ahead and get a quote from a professional - it's always free to ask.

Pros and cons of hiring a professional:
Aside from the obvious - that it's the easiest way to go - there are some advantages to consider. A professional planner is likely to be aware of resources you don't know about - local venues, vendors, wedding specialists. Especially during peak times, a professional may have connections and access to services unavailable to you on your own - insider relationships with caterers, reception halls, florists, etc. Finally, a professional planner might actually save you money. A few hundred dollars worth of consulting time and advice from local wedding planner could save you thousands in the long run.

The downside to hiring a planner?

• The money;
• The expense;
• The cost. Did I mention the money? You wouldn't be looking into cheap weddings if money was no object, would you?

A third alternative is to do it yourself with the aid of a guide or some planning software. There are a couple of things available online, or you can shop a local or online bookstore to see what's on the shelves. One wedding planning guide that I've heard very good things about was written by a young woman named Erica Yoon, who was married just last spring. She did all her own research and wedding planning, and apparently saved herself thousands of dollars in the process. She has created a book and some software based on her experience, and it's available online. You might want to check out her wedding planning guide - a relatively small investment could save you many hours of time and thousands of dollars.

Whether you intend to hire a professional, do it all yourself, or follow a planning guide, and no matter whether we're talking cheap weddings or extravagant weddings, the key to your success is planning. It's never too early to get started - what are you waiting for?

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