Wedding planner - who is it and is it worth using one?

A wedding is one of the most important events in life! And the more I've delved into it, the more I've found that the expert support of someone who knows their stuff can really take the pressure off the bride and groom-to-be. In this article, written in a relaxed conversational style, I'll try to show you what the role of a wedding planner (yes, that word will be used a bit more here) looks like, why they can be invaluable and what to look out for when thinking about such a collaboration.

I've also put together a few things here that people often forget, but which can be a nightmare when the wedding date is fast approaching. It'll be about budget, choosing a venue, potential mishaps and how to protect yourself from them. And, above all, how to make the big day more fun and less nerve-wracking.

It will help me to do this, Bogna Bojanowska, one of the most experienced wedding planners in Poland. Bogna, who has lived and worked in Paris for years, organising hundreds of exquisite wedding events, will share with us her experiences and the ins and outs of the wedding planning profession. We will talk about what makes a wedding truly special and how to meet the expectations of the most demanding clients. We wonder what Lady Di's wedding to Charles would have been like if Bogna had organised it!

Wedding - big dream, even bigger task list

When we think of a wedding, a beautiful, almost cinematic picture usually paints itself in our minds: a stunning dress, an elegant suit, family and friends all around, delicious food, and then dancing until dawn. Few people realise, however, that before the moment comes to say the sacramental "I do", dozens (or even hundreds!) of small decisions have to be made. And it is from the very beginning that questions are asked:

• Where to hold the party?
• Which date to choose?
• What style suits us best?
• Whether to invite distant relatives and how to do it?
• Where to get the best service providers to avoid 'surprises'?

Then there are the issues that many people forget: are we having children at the wedding and are we providing them with an entertainer? Do any guests need a special menu (vege, gluten-free, lactose-free)? How about transport arrangements for the guests? And so on, and so on. Such a list grows infinitely longer, and with each successive point one begins to wonder: "Am I really going to be able to take it all in?".

It is at this point that the wedding planner - Someone who takes on the enormity of these matters, knows all the tricks, knows what's going on in the industry and can advise where it's better not to push (or which cake won't survive the heat).

"A person who guides you step by step, because we usually get married for the first time and don't know what to expect. Such a dose of emotions and so much going on that stress is inevitable, but with good support it can be greatly reduced," Bogna recalls.

What does a wedding planner actually do?

Let's start with a clarification. Is a wedding planner like our 'private assistant' who runs after us and gets every detail right? In part, yes, but the role of a wedding consultant is a little broader. It's someone who:

1. Helps to choose the right place - knows the rooms, restaurants, manor houses or open-air spaces available. He knows which venues are more flexible and which have rigid rules.
2. It has a database of proven service providers - photographers, videographers, DJs, bands, florists, cake makers and others. The wedding planner can also solve the problem if, for example, the DJ gets injured, because he always has a plan B in store.
3. Keeps an eye on the budget - Sets priorities with the bride and groom. He may say, 'Why not put up a cool decoration in a cheaper venue rather than paying for a super-luxury venue and giving up the attractions you've always dreamed of'.
4. Coordinates the wedding day - On the wedding day, he makes sure that everything plays like the best orchestra. This allows the bride and groom to focus on the fun, rather than receiving phone calls about a missing cake.
5. Resolves crisis situations - The weather has broken, and an outdoor wedding? The electronic guest list is falling apart? The kitchen is running late? A good wedding planner support helps you to avoid panic and move on quickly.

Of course, these are just a few examples. It is not uncommon for a wedding consultant to take on the role of family psychologist, translator in the case of international couples, negotiator and even... cake tester! Much depends on what support and to what extent we agree at the outset.

Real-life examples - or various wedding adventures

You often hear about crisis situations where, for example, the hall has flooded, the band has refused to arrive at the last minute or the cake has melted in the car on the way to the wedding. At such moments, the rescue of a wedding planner is literally at a premium.

To quote Bogna the wedding consultant:

"My couples don't know about most of the problems because I try to deal with everything on the fly. If I ran to them for approval with every slip-up, eventually they wouldn't even have time to do their make-up!"

It is worth remembering that sometimes crises do not have to be so spectacular. It could be, for example, not enough chairs, the wrong size of tablecloths or a problem with transporting guests from far away. To someone this may seem trivial, but on the wedding day every little thing grows into a big hassle. And a wedding planner can usually react early, before the problem escalates.

Budget - does a wedding planner help you button it up?

Many people mistakenly assume that hiring a wedding consultant is an additional, unnecessary cost. Meanwhile, the opposite is often true. A wedding planner helps you to plan your expenses and tailor them to your real needs, so that:

• we do not overpay for services that do not suit us,
• we do not buy things that will not be useful in practice,
• we give up the attractions that, on the whole, our aunt has always dreamed of and not necessarily ourselves,
• we have the chance to take advantage of discounts or better offers from proven companies working with the consultant.

"Sometimes you just need to look at whether you really need a fifth hot meal in the middle of summer or a four-storey cake for 40 people. Sometimes you can reallocate that budget to something else the bride and groom have been dreaming of - such as striking decorations, a drinks bar or a live band." - Bogna says.

As a result, it turns out that acting on one's own, it is easy to go over the limit, because, after all, "you only live once", but this can hurt the wallet.

Organising a wedding - can it even be done without stress?

A wedding planner (or rather wedding planner, to stick to our keyword!) once said that even the best organised party won't be 100% emotion-free - it's a wedding, after all. But there's a difference between exciting stress before the big day and worrying about everything that could go wrong.

Good organisation is key. Sometimes all you need to do is agree key dates in advance with your wedding planner: when to arrange the invitations, when to book the music, when to test the cake and when to sit down to discuss the decoration details. This avoids a situation where suddenly, two weeks before the wedding, we realise we don't have a videographer. Or that we forgot to inform the kitchen about the bride's sister's gluten-free diet.

An interesting idea, which is sometimes forgotten, is to agree who will be in charge of small things on the wedding day if you are not using a wedding planner. In such a situation, you can ask a trusted person (a witness or someone from the family) to be the one to report to, for example, flower suppliers or waiters to ask about missing alcohol. This way, the bride and groom do not have to solve logistical problems every five minutes and can focus on what is really important.

Inspiration and trends - is it always worth copying?

There's no denying that Instagram and Pinterest are overflowing with beautiful photos. You can find a whole lot of inspiration there for your wedding theme, colour scheme, decorations, photo booth, flowers and so on. But does that mean we should recreate images from Pinterest at all costs?

According to many wedding planners - not necessarily. Of course, it's good to get inspiration, write down sample styles and look for ideas. However, when planning your own wedding, it's best to start with how you want to feel on the day and what actually suits you. For some it will be a grand glamour ball, for others a small reception in an atmospheric restaurant, while someone else dreams of a garden ceremony and an acoustic concert instead of the typical DJ.

"A lot of things are possible today, but the question is whether it suits you. Do you really want onion soup in July, or three different photo booths in a small room because it's so trendy? It's important that decisions are made based on your dreams and style, not fashion on Instagram."

When to hire a wedding planner?

Preferably as early as possible, especially if you are planning a wedding during a popular period (June-August) and in an attractive location. A wedding consultant will help you to get an idea of available dates, venues and service providers right away, before your dream photographer is snatched up from under your nose. But nothing is lost if the decision is made later - it is better to get professional help even six months before the wedding than not at all.

However, you have to reckon with the fact that the later you apply, the more the wedding planner has to perform logistical miracles. And you have to be ready for possible compromises - you may no longer be able to book the most popular band, but a proven DJ recommended by the planner can be just as good an option.

Is this a service only for the rich?

I often encounter the belief that wedding planner is a luxury that only a few can afford. Meanwhile, more and more people are recognising that they would rather spend a certain amount on professional support and have peace of mind, rather than organising the wedding themselves first and then (unfortunately) bailing things out at the last minute. Yes, you have to pay for the service of a wedding consultant, but:

• In return, we get saving time, nerves and often money (through contacts and negotiation possibilities).
• We are confident that organisation is handled by someone experiencedwho has already seen dozens of different scenarios.
• We can more focus on enjoying the preparations themselves and decide on the details in a relaxed manner, rather than dealing with wayward subcontractors.

As a result, many couples find that it is one of the better decisions they have made. Especially when time is in short supply because work and responsibilities do not allow running from one place to another

Summary - wedding planner as an investment in peace and memories

Finally, it is worth emphasising that a wedding and reception is not a marathon of 'who will do it faster and cheaper', but a special day that is meant to leave beautiful memories for a lifetime. Every bride and groom should feel that they can really enjoy the day - and not just worry about whether the orchestra will arrive on time.

Wedding planner (oh, that's the third time we've used our keyword!) can be something of a guardian angel in such a situation - from checking that the flowers have arrived in full to negotiating with the venue manager. It's safe to say that this is the person who gives us a sense of security in all the crazy pre-wedding commotion.

"It's about making sure that you, on your wedding day, can focus on what's most important: the other person, the vows, the joy with your guests. You don't have to run around explaining whether the cake shop has definitely delivered the cake. Such a role of a wedding planner is simply invaluable.", says Bogna.

"It's about making sure that you, on your wedding day, can focus on what's most important: the other person, the vows, the joy with your guests. You don't have to run around explaining whether the cake shop has definitely delivered the cake. This kind of role of a wedding planner is simply invaluable."

The last word

So if you're at the stage of deciding how to organise your wedding and are wondering whether it's worth trusting a wedding consultant, then, well... I hope this text has cleared up at least some of your doubts. Hiring wedding planner is an investment in peace of mind and the assurance that someone is watching over every detail. This allows YOU to fully experience moments that happen (at least in theory) once in a lifetime.

Yes, it's always possible to organise a wedding yourself - just as you can renovate a kitchen yourself. The question is whether you would rather have a professional do it yourself and you can enjoy planning your honeymoon instead of worrying about whether there are enough chairs in the hall.

I wish you that your wedding day is one of the most beautiful of your life and that nothing distracts you from the joy it brings. And if you need someone to take care of all that pre-wedding paperwork, bookings and B-plans for you, the answer is simple: look for a trusted wedding planner and you won't regret it!

Why is this text on our blog? 

Because Bouduar is not only beautiful lingerie and high-quality products, but above all a brand with a soul. Behind it is a charismatic owner who has a mission at heart that is bigger than just selling. Through her passion, determination and authenticity, she wants to inspire others, share her story and show what the real life of an entrepreneur looks like.

That's why you'll find regular episodes of the behind-the-scenes life of the brand on our blog, as well as stories relating to business development and entrepreneurship. Everything that appears on the blog is part of a wider project - the YouTube channel "Naked DNA", which gives you an insight into our daily life, our creative process and the values that drive our brand.

We invite you to follow us on YouTube and join our community - the content we create is passionate and authentic, with lots of inspiring information. Join us to stay up to date with what really matters!