Should I Hire a Wedding Planner?
CATEGORIES FAQs
June 5, 2013
Words by
Photos courtesy of
You bet your garter-clad-veil-sportin’ booty you should! Hiring a wedding coordinator is one of the smartest things you can do for yourself if you’re planning a destination wedding. They ensure all the loose ends are tied up, work out any complications that may arise, follow up with all the vendors you’ve hired – and all this while you’re blissfully ignorant and enjoying the most important day of your life. As you should be.
But who should you hire? Is there anyone out there who specializes in not just one destination, but many? Yes there is.
Three experienced, talented and incredibly knowledgeable wedding planners got together and formed Destination Wedding Divas. Having each planned destination weddings in their own businesses, they knew there was a great need in the industry for trustworthy dependable professionals who focused on these events – so they joined forces.
Each “Diva” aka Bridal Consultant brings her own flavor and zest to the organization. Julie Gambrell admits that Costa Rica and Mexico are her favorite wedding locations and adds “I like to think I can speak Spanish!” With her bubbly and confident personality, she can deal with just about any situation thrown her way.
Karyn Gueck, being a full service travel coordinator and avid lover of diamonds, knows a lot about a multitude of locations. She brings her own bridal consulting experience to the table as well which in her words: “reduces the stress of all facets in the wedding planning and implementation process.”
Third planner on the list -the calm and confident Diva Norie Hamilton, “eases mom’s minds and brides nerves” while all elements of the wedding are carried out in a smooth and timely manner.
Destination brides are often faced with needs unique to traditional weddings. Items such as group travel, additional activities before and after the event, extensive legal requirements – are just some of the things couples will be faced with. By hiring a destination wedding planner, the couple can take advantage of group discounts, navigating foreign legal documentation and so many things that go along with the process of getting married away from home.
Many times couples will make the common assumption that the wedding coordinator at their chosen hotel or resort will facilitate and communicate with chosen vendors, be there for the rehearsal or get the paper work sorted out. This is not always the case and therefore, hiring a destination wedding planner who will handle those items for you is a good idea. It helps minimize the stress and let’s face it – it’s not like you plan weddings everyday and are an expert at it, much less coordinating one far from home – they are experts. They do this everyday. They know what to expect.
Oftentimes when I am interviewing a bride who just finished having her wedding, I’ll ask the question “Hindsight being 20/20 is there any advice you would like to give our readers?” I cannot count how many times I’ve heard this answer:
“Hire a wedding planner.”
For more information about the Destination Wedding Divas services, please visit them at: www.destinationweddingdivas.com
