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Wedding planners are known by a variety of titles, from Wedding Consultants or Wedding Designers to Wedding Coordinators, Wedding Organisers or Wedding Assistants. Their primary role is to offer professional advice, guidance and assistance to their clients, the couple who are getting married. You will often hear it said that "no two weddings are the same" and that "it takes, on average, 250 hours to plan a wedding". This is because weddings are among the most complex and complicated types of events to organize and the skills a successful wedding planner must possess are both extremely specialised and at the same diverse and wide ranging. The responsibilities and obligations of a wedding planner are extremely wide ranging. In essence the planner is expected to be on hand to assist and advise the client as required. And in response to the number of people that have asked me “what does a wedding planner do?” - the basis for this brief article - I’ve included an outline of a wedding planner’s primary responsibilities. Be warned that the list is far from exclusive! 1) Providing unlimited professional advice and guidance on any and all wedding matters to the bride and groom (the clients). 2) Managing the client's total wedding budget as well as overseeing its division to cover the fees of their chosen wedding services and suppliers. It is paramount that a London wedding planner must ensure the budget is adequately and appropriately allocated according to the client's particular needs. 3) Sourcing and shortlist suitable ceremony and reception venues, as well as wedding party and guest hotels and even restaurants, bars, clubs should the client want to extend their wedding celebrations over a long weekend. 4) Sourcing and shortlist suitable wedding services and suppliers, from the photographer to the evening's entertainment, right down the charger plates or tea candles. 5) Negotiating contracts (fees, discounts, complimentary services, terms and conditions) with all venues, services and suppliers and subsequently managing venues, services and suppliers throughout the engagement as well as on the wedding day. 6) Providing a wealth of bespoke creative design and styling ideas and options in order to enhance the senses of the wedding party and guests on the day, from colors and themes to sound and lighting and taste! 7) During the wedding planning process a wedding planner will draw up a time line that outlines the order of tasks to undertake during the engagement. The planner will also compile an 'on the day' schedule that details the order of events on the wedding day (to the minute!) and then work tirelessly to ensure that the schedule is adhered to on the day itself. 8) Other tasks could include: unlimited 24/7 telephone and email support to the client and even their wedding party; acting as first point of contact for the client for all wedding suppliers; stationery copywriting and proofing; advising on all legal matters concerning the wedding ceremony; guest list and RSVP management; guest concierge services, including drawing up a guest information guide outlining transport and accommodation options to the wedding; project managing the stag and hen weekends; honeymoon coordination and management and drawing up back up plans to deal with any unforeseen problems that might arise.
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