There's no denying it: some people swear by wedding planners, while others advise against them. These mixed opinions can be confusing, but everyone has their reasons. This blog series will help you understand these opposing viewpoints, find your own voice, and determine the best way to start planning a destination wedding in Antigua Guatemala.
At Zeeba Productions, we believe in informed decisions that give you peace of mind. We want to empower you on how to choose a wedding planner in Antigua Guatemala and navigate any decision related to your destination wedding in Antigua Guatemala. This is part two of our “Hot Takes of Getting Married in Antigua Guatemala" series, focusing on dispelling some common myths about Guatemala wedding planners. Fee structures and vetting tips were covered in part one (don't forget to check it out if you haven't already!).
Myth #1: Planners Only Want to Work with Their Friends
We've heard this one in many forms, including "planners inflate prices" or create a "wedding price hike," meaning everything wedding-related costs more. This complex topic will be addressed in our next blog. For now, let's explore some concepts that might seem obvious but can be eye-opening for others. Are you ready?
A planner's role can be intangible. If done right, their work might go unnoticed. However, if not, everyone would notice the consequences – from the event flow to the overall feel. This intricate role requires the planner to curate vendor options.
The planner's choices should be based on their experience with each vendor or a thorough vetting process. However, they shouldn't simply repeat the same vendors for every wedding. That defeats the purpose of a bespoke wedding compared to an all-inclusive package. To ensure the planner prioritizes your best interests, ask them to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as kickbacks.
Myth #2: My Planner Didn't Help Me
This is another common complaint: "My wedding planner didn't help me. I had to do everything myself; they only responded when things were already done," or "they didn't help me 'enough' compared to what I expected for the cost."
Most of the time, this stems from a misunderstanding of the planner's role. A written contract is your roadmap to understanding if they fulfilled their obligations. Watch out for inconsistencies between a planner's title and their actual responsibilities. As mentioned in part one, some vendors use titles as clickbait or don't fully understand the implications of their wording. To learn more about vetting a wedding planner properly, visit our previous blog.
Myth #3: Wedding planners and wedding coordinators are the same thing
Price isn't the defining factor in a planner's role; the title and contract are.
To understand this better, let's examine who does what:
Venue Coordinators: These professionals coordinate the venue's staff, especially for catering and bar services provided in-house. They are also the point of contact for wedding planners or clients. While they might offer vendor referrals, vetting, booking, and overseeing them isn't entirely their responsibility.
Day-of Coordinators: Booked in advance, they take over one month before the wedding, assuming all vendors are booked and paid. Their main role is ensuring vendors comply with your contracts and assisting with guest flow. They'll be your lifesaver on the day, but you need to provide clear instructions for the processional, recessional, toasts, seating arrangements, and other personalized details. If you want them to handle these details from start to finish, or run errands, you may need to request those as add-on services.
Partial Planners: This can be confusing, as it's essentially an a la carte package for couples who want to be more hands-on. A partial planner might take over after you've booked your venue and some vendors, or simply act as a consultant for your wedding planning process. Day-of coordination might or might not be included, so ensure you have a written contract outlining their services and limitations.
Full-Service Wedding Planners: These are the pros who take you from conception to execution, ensuring both vendor compliance and the realization of your vision. They are your one-stop shop for all questions. If they can't answer something themselves, they'll be the liaison who connects you with the relevant expert. The level of detail depends on your contract, but this package typically covers essentials like project and budget management.
Wedding Designer: This specialist focuses on the wedding's aesthetics. They create the decor concept and ensure every element cohesively reflects it. While their role can be confused with a wedding planner or florist designer, it's distinct and often partially
Myth #4: Couples don’t need wedding planners
Many people may believe that only the wealthy can afford wedding planners, or that they can handle all the planning themselves with the help of family and friends on the big day. However, the truth is that planning a wedding can be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of their experience. This is because a wedding involves various aspects – psychological, financial, logistical, and design. It's hard to excel in all these areas while under so much stress.
Now, imagine yourself in your wedding outfit, trying to reach a vendor who's running late, smiling for photos, welcoming guests, and dealing with a lost relative while also trying to enjoy your partner's company. It sounds chaotic because it is.
A wedding planner acts as a protective layer, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day. A good wedding planner can set you up for success!
Takeaways
Mistakes can be as costly as luxury weddings in Antigua, Guatemala. Consider this: the cost of wedding planner in Antigua, Guatemala is nothing compared to the advantages of having one. Planners have experience navigating the wedding industry in Antigua Guatemala. They can recommend reputable vendors you might not have found on your own, refine your vision, and bring it to life. They can also offer creative suggestions that you might not have considered.
You can either take the passenger's seat, knowing that a professional is handling the details, which can give you peace of mind and allow you to truly enjoy the wedding planning process and the big day itself, or you can risk playing Russian roulette. The choice is yours. Contact us today to start planning your wedding without stress.
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