In certain cases hiring a wedding planner makes good sense.  Particularly for larger events and weddings, there is a great deal of tasks that a wedding planner can help with.  If you don’t have extra hands and extra time, then a wedding planner can help with those party details, such as invitation envelope stuffing and escort cards. 

Another time when a wedding planner is a must is if you are planning a destination wedding.  Since most couple cannot arrive at their destination wedding site until a day or two prior to the wedding, a wedding planner can be out there ahead of time to ensure that all the details are taken care of and you are getting exactly what you want. 

When trying to determine whether a wedding planner is right for you, think about your budget.  Fees for wedding coordinators vary, but in general you can expect to pay somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of your total wedding cost.  Communicate your budget to potential planners when you first approach them. That way if wedding planners are out of your budget they will tell you right away and you won't waste any time.  If the wedding planner’s rates match that of your needs, work with the wedding coordinator to draw up as detailed a contract as possible, specifying what the coordinator's responsibilities will be. That way, they'll know exactly what's paid for, and you will know exactly what will be taken care of by the wedding planner. 

Consider what your really need from a wedding planner.  A lot of brides plan out all the details of the wedding themselves and most of the work is done.  In such a case you may want a “day of” wedding coordinator to attend your wedding and resolve any snags that may come up.  You can also hire a wedding planner in the final weeks leading up to your wedding, so that the wedding planner can use their expertise to check of all the details to your wedding and the wedding planner will know exactly what you want and need on the day of your wedding. 

If you are wondering whether to make it a DIY wedding or if a wedding planner is right for you determine your wedding budget and how much help you really need.