(and the Best Decision You’ll Make for Your Big Day)
by Emma Cockerham
Owner & CEO, Infinity Events
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming! Any engaged couple can attest to the feeling of being faced with too many choices and countless decisions. Wedding planners understand this challenge and are here to help guide you through it.
Let’s start from the beginning. Once you are engaged, what should you do first? Many people believe that you need to book a date and venue before selecting any vendors. While this approach can work—allowing you to find vendors that fit your schedule—it’s not the only way to go about it. In fact, hiring a wedding planner before securing your venue can be a game-changer. A planner can guide you through venue tours, helping you choose a location that aligns with your vision, guest count, and budget. Plus, this early step allows you to begin building a supportive relationship with someone who will become an essential partner during the planning process.
So, what does a planner bring to the table that makes them worth the investment? With their industry expertise, problem solving skills, time-saving strategies, and design knowledge, planners help make your engagement season as stress-free and joyful as possible.
EXPERTISE & EXPERIENCE
In a world where search engines and social media present seemingly endless options for every wedding vendor, making choices can feel overwhelming. A wedding planner narrows down the options to a customized list that reflects each couple’s unique style, needs, and budget. You can have confidence in the vendors they recommend, as these professionals come highly vetted, not just from online reviews but also from real working relationships. This assurance is invaluable when deciding how to allocate funds for such a significant occasion.
COORDINATION & PROBLEM SOLVING
Many couples see planners as the people who make the wedding day run smoothly, and that’s certainly true. However, executing the wedding day timeline is just one part of a much larger role. When a planner creates the timeline, executing it becomes easier. But what happens when unexpected changes or problems arise (and they often do)? A skilled planner can adapt to unforeseen challenges while protecting the couple’s interests and maintaining their peace of mind, often without them even knowing about the hiccups. Here’s a little secret: when a wedding seems perfect, there is likely a brilliant planner behind the scenes making it all happen!
SAVINGS
While planners don’t always negotiate discounts (though occasionally that happens), their true value lies elsewhere. They provide added benefits by collaborating with outstanding vendor partners who go the extra mile for their clients. A great planner also helps clients spend wisely, aligning their budget with priorities and educating them about realistic costs in their market. This knowledge can prevent costly mistakes during the planning process, ensuring that your funds are spent wisely and effectively.
THE DESIGN EYE
The experience and immersion that planners bring to the table come with a strong eye for design. Clients benefit from their exposure to beautiful events and their connections with many other vendors. Whether a planner is a full-fledged designer or not, they have the taste and expertise to help create unique and stunning experiences. Discussing how to achieve their dream wedding is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the planning process.
Hiring a wedding planner means having an expert in your corner—an advocate who helps make the experience of planning a wedding enjoyable, efficient, and memorable.
Emma Cockerham
Owner & CEO, Infinity Events
Design: Infinity Events
Photography: Amy Bleckley Photography
Venue: Memphis Botanic Garden
