A great wedding planner can be a significant investment, but I believe they’re worth every penny. Their vendor knowledge helps you find budget-friendly options and cost-saving opportunities all the while handling negotiations, gathering quotes, and help you stick to your specific budget. They keep track of expenses, monitor payments, provide updates to keep you on track and so. much. more.

Their impact extends to every part of your wedding day, but their work begins long before. Their vendor connections and knowledge ensure you’re hiring trusted professionals who will help the day run smoothly. Planners also have invaluable expertise that you wouldn’t even think to research.

For example, they’ll recognize that the tall centerpiece you envisioned for your sweetheart table will block your face in candid reception photos and instead suggest a ground display in front of your table instead. Most importantly, they allow you to be fully present and enjoy your wedding day. And nothing makes for more beautiful candid photos than a couple genuinely immersed in the moment.

I’ll stop talking about how much I love wedding planners and all the benefits they bring to your day now. Let’s dive into the details of how they can actually save you money.

Hiring a Wedding Planner Might Save You Money: Vendor Knowledge

As mentioned earlier, a wedding planner can save you money through their vendor knowledge—they’ll connect you with options that fit your vision and budget. For example, they can factor in the time of year you’re getting married to find cost-saving opportunities, like choosing in-season florals, which are more affordable since they’re locally sourced and reduce shipping costs. Plus, they have a keen eye for contracts helps you avoid hidden or unexpected fees with vendor contracts. They can also discuss custom packages with your vendors to suit your needs exactly, so you’re not paying for anything extra—something you may not have the time or even knowledge to do.

Some wedding planners have access to discounts through their vendor connections. They may be able to secure savings on items like decor, rentals, flatware, glassware, seating, and tables—thanks to their established relationships and knowledge of trustworthy connections.

Hiring a Wedding Planner Might Save You Money: Quotes

Wedding planners also gather multiple quotes for you and walk you through the pros and cons of each option. If you’re having a destination wedding and dealing with different currencies, you won’t have to worry about the exchange rates—that’s their job. They’re also familiar with the typical vendor costs in your destination and can guide you on what’s a reasonable budget for things like the venue, flowers, rentals, and more. Your planner will ensure you’re staying within your budget, without the added stress of exchange rate calculations.

Hiring a Wedding Planner Might Save You Money: Keeping Track of Expenses

A wedding planner will also keep track of time and expenses for you and they’ll be upfront with you about what you can get for the budget you have. If they’re not upfront from day one, you should find a new planner. The reality is that weddings cost more money than you think. The sooner you can match your budget to your vision or your vision to your budget, the less stressful the planning process will be.

This podcast episode from Wine and Dine Me featuring wedding planner Grit & Grace is a great resource if you’re looking for a little dose of reality in your wedding budget.

Wedding planners can provide a realistic breakdown of how much each line item is likely to cost based on your specific priorities. They can offer regular updates and insights to keep you on track and prevent you from going over budget. They also monitor vendor payments, deposits, and other costs that need to be paid by specific deadlines, so you won’t miss a payment and risk late fees. But ultimately, they save you from unnecessary stress, allowing you to focus on your own priorities—because your time is valuable and that’s the whole point of hiring experts: to save you time.

Our Wedding Planner Recommendations

Now that we’ve convinced you to invest in a great wedding planner, I’d like to introduce you to some fantastic ones. We’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing planners who go above and beyond to bring their clients’ dream weddings to life.

Linked below are the wedding planners we highly recommend. Click on their titles to visit their websites, and check out their Instagram handles below for more further details on their services.

Ontario:

Ottawa: Erica Irwin Weddings & Events
@ericairwinweddings

Ottawa: Sinclair & Co. Design – Ottawa Wedding Planner and Floral Designer
@sinclairandcodesign

Southern Ontario: Danielle Jackson Events
@daniellejacksonevents

Muskoka: Madeline Hockley Weddings
@madelinehockleyweddings

Toronto: Nicole Blair Events
@nicoleblairevents

Toronto: This is Duet
@thisisduet

Toronto: Saluti Designs
@salutidesigns

Quebec:

Newport: Infinite Events
@infiniteevents_

Montreal: Dakor Events
@dakorevents

Ottawa & Montreal: Fino Events
@finoevents

Manitoba:

Winnipeg: Evergreen Weddings
@evergreenweddings.co

Destination:

Mae and Co Creative
@maeandco_creative

Weddings By Madeline & Daniel
@weddingbymd

Grit and Grace Inc
@gritandgraceinc

Ottawa & Destination: Sea and Silk Events
@seaandsilkevents

Wedding Planner Alternative

Another option to consider is a month-of coordinator. This can be a great alternative if you feel confident in your abilities to do all of the planning yourselves and have the time needed to do so, but want to be hands-off on the actual wedding day. Having someone who is up to speed on everything and around to coordinate things like processional timing or the band’s set up location will go a long way to having things run smoothly and, for you, being able to actually enjoy the day.

We’ve photographed many weddings over the last decade of being in business — plenty with wedding planners and plenty without. And unsurprisingly, the ones with a planner run exponentially smoother than the ones without. If you’re still unsure if you need a wedding planner for your day, feel free to reach out to myself or any one of the planners I’ve listed above with your questions or concerns. Wishing you the absolute best wedding day.

Sonia V Photography

I believe my primary role as your wedding photographer is to document the story of you and your day. To be able to freeze those genuine moments so that you can relive them for years to come. I believe that this day is the culmination of who you truly are and what you value, so the photos not only represent the wedding day, but also your human legacy. Your photo gallery should capture you, the true, messy, imperfect, worthy you — not a perfectly posed version of you.

Interested in learning more about my services and the investment in booking Sonia V Photography? Feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect! Whether it’s a quick call or an email, I’m here to chat and answer any questions you have.