When I first got engaged, I wasn’t sure if hiring a wedding planner would be worth it. I love planning and organizing, and honestly, I wanted to save money where I could. But I also didn’t want to feel overwhelmed or miss important details.
The truth? You can plan your own wedding if you’re organized, decisive, and have time to dedicate to it. But there are certain situations where a wedding planner can save your sanity. And even if you skip the planner, there’s one person I 100% recommend hiring: a day-of coordinator.
If you’re on the fence, here’s an honest breakdown of when a planner is worth the investment, when you can DIY it, and how to make the process less stressful either way.
When a Wedding Planner Is Worth It
A full-service planner is basically your wedding CEO. They help with every major decision—venue, vendors, budget, design, timelines—and manage all the little things you don’t even know to think about.
Here’s when I think hiring a planner is absolutely worth the money:
✅ You’re Planning a Destination Wedding
Trying to coordinate vendors, logistics, and guest travel from a distance is a lot. A planner familiar with the location can handle it all without you flying back and forth every month.
✅ You Have a Full-Time Job (and No Extra Hours)
Wedding planning can feel like a part-time job. If you work long hours or have a packed schedule, outsourcing the details can take a huge weight off your shoulders.
✅ You’re Overwhelmed or Indecisive
If you’re not into planning, don’t enjoy decision-making, or just feel stressed every time you open your checklist, a planner can give you clarity, structure, and support.
✅ Your Venue Doesn’t Provide a Coordinator
Some venues offer an on-site coordinator who manages day-of details (great!). But if yours doesn’t, a wedding planner can step into that role—and then some.
✅ You’re Planning a Large or Complex Wedding
Big guest list, multiple venues, cultural traditions, or lots of moving parts? A planner will help everything run smoothly.
When You Can DIY It
I planned most of my own wedding, and I loved having control over the details.
If you’re organized, excited to be hands-on, and looking to save money, here’s when DIY planning can totally work:
✅ You Have Time (And a Clear Vision)
If you can dedicate a few hours a week to planning and you already know what you want (or are willing to research), you’re in a great place to take charge.
✅ You’re Good With Lists, Schedules, and Communication
You’ll be juggling contracts, appointments, emails, and timelines. If that energizes you, go for it.
✅ You’re On a Budget
Planners can be pricey—often 10–20% of your total budget. If that money could be better spent on your venue, photographer, or catering, and you’re comfortable managing the details, it’s okay to DIY.
How to Stay Organized Without a Planner
If you’re taking on the planning yourself, here are a few tools and strategies that helped me stay on track:
- Use a planning app or spreadsheet. Tools like Google Sheets, Notion, or even a wedding-specific planner binder work great.
- Create a timeline with deadlines. Break your to-dos into monthly chunks so you’re not scrambling two weeks before the wedding.
- Keep all vendor contracts and contact info in one place. You’ll want this handy for quick access, especially as the day approaches.
- Ask for help where needed. Friends, family, and even vendors often have great advice—don’t be afraid to lean on them.
Why a Day-Of Coordinator Is My Ultimate Wedding Planning Tip
Even if you skip a full wedding planner, hiring a day-of coordinator was hands down one of the best decisions I made.
Here’s why:
- They create your final timeline and confirm it with all your vendors.
- They manage the setup and keep things moving behind the scenes.
- They handle any little issues that pop up, so you don’t have to.
- Your friends and family get to enjoy the day instead of working.
I didn’t have to worry about where the flowers were, if the DJ was running late, or if we were sticking to schedule. My coordinator handled it all, and I got to be fully present and soak in the day.
If you hire only one person for your wedding day, let it be a day-of coordinator.
Final Thoughts
So, do you really need a wedding planner? The short answer: not always. If you’re organized, have a vision, and feel comfortable managing details, you can totally plan your own wedding. But don’t underestimate the value of a professional, especially for keeping things stress-free on the day itself.
At the very least, hire a day-of coordinator. You’ll thank yourself when you’re sipping champagne, smiling for photos, and not worrying about what’s happening behind the scenes.
This blog post is all about how to decide if you really need a wedding planner.
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