Why Couples Should Choose Their Wedding Planner Before Their Venue – Tips from a Milwaukee Wedding Planner

Feeling like a hot mess at the beginning of your wedding planning journey? Can’t even wrap your mind around all the decisions you have to make? Don’t fret, it’s time to call in the big guns – a wedding planner! If you’re clueless about where to start, a milwaukee wedding planner can coach and guide you on the most important vendors to book first, how to prioritize and properly allocate your budget, and help you think outside the boring wedding box to make your day unforgettable. It’s an exciting time and so much to celebrate and plan for, but it can quickly become overwhelming. Details such as the location, date, guest list, and color scheme all need to be considered. 

Many engaged couples make the mistake of booking their wedding venue and other vendors before hiring a professional planner. Why is that a mistake you might be wondering?

There are a lot of factors and details that go into planning an event of this size, and it’s likely the first time you, as a couple, have ever navigated something like this. There are many choices and decisions to consider which can quickly lead to wedding planning feeling like your new full-time job. This is where planners shine. We possess extensive expertise in various venues and vendors to perfectly match your style, personality, and budget requirements.

The venue is often the most exciting piece of the planning puzzle for couples, however, it’s also where we, as planners, see the costliest and biggest missteps made by couples. There are so many variables to think about when selecting your ideal venue and couples do not always realize the additional fees and upgrades they may have to add on to have the wedding they want.

If you have a planner on your side  that knows what you are envisioning, we can provide guidance and expertise upfront on how to make each venue work for your style, as well as those associated costs. Some venues are all-inclusive, and some are not. A part have rentals included, while others do not. Some venues allow access for a limited number of hours and others give you access for the entire day.  Planners analyze venue pros, cons, and costs, providing comprehensive insight into each option on your list.

Let’s dive into our top 3 benefits for choosing your wedding planner before you officially secure your venue.

You’ll have an expert on your side from the beginning.

Hiring a wedding planner prior to choosing your venue ensures expert guidance throughout the entire planning journey. A skilled planner, knowledgeable about local venues, aids in refining choices according to budget, style, and preferences. This can save you a lot of time and stress, as you won’t have to wade through countless options on your own. They will have worked with many venues before and can provide valuable insight and feedback that you may not have thought to ask about. As planners, it’s our job to not only help you think through the smaller details but also look at the big picture of the entire wedding weekend to make sure it’s stress-free for you, your family and all your guests. 

As we mentioned, not only will a planner help you narrow down your choices and present you with a curated list of venues that fit your aesthetics and budget, but there’s also the expertise and guidance baked in that factor in the entire wedding planning experience and some of your bigger picture decisions.

Guest count significantly influences wedding venue selection, though early planning may lack precise guest estimates. Having a planner there to help you think through the logistics and statistics of guest RSVPs, what it might realistically look like if you have 100, 150, 200+ guests at each venue, and what that means for layout, extra rentals, and more. 

You might adore a venue, yet if it’s far, it’ll demand extra effort and funds for travel and lodging. Your planner will know transportation costs, suggest hotels, and coordinate weekend festivities and much more efficiently. What does this experience look like for your guests? Will a distant venue alter your hair and makeup schedule? Might you need to prep elsewhere or allocate more time?

You’ll be able to plan your wedding with a cohesive vision in mind.

Selecting your venue before a planner could mean compromising wedding vision due to space limitations. This can lead to compromises and a less cohesive overall look and feel. Starting with a planner ensures venue selection aligned with your vision, aiding in realizing your dream wedding.

If design is a priority, numerous logistical considerations, starting with the venue, must be addressed for your wedding day. When you book with your planner first, they will help you come up with a cohesive design and options to consider so that when you are touring different venue options, you have a good vision of what it could look like.

Understanding what the time constraints are for each design vendor is imperative to know when securing a venue. Some venues only permit access on the event day, necessitating pre-event setup and post-event cleanup for elaborate designs. A planner can ease logistics, liaise with the venue and vendors, ensuring a successful event setup from the start.

Your planner can help you stay within your budget.

Collaborating with a planner initially ensures a budget aligned with your comfort and vision’s practicality.
Securing the venue early is vital; it’s usually one of the first and priciest elements after hiring a planner. It’s important not to go “venue broke” right from the start by overlooking additional costs, such as additional or upgraded rental items, early arrival fees, late-night breakdown fees, and additional design production fees on top of any other “standard” costs associated with the wedding (outside catering, photography, music, florals, etc.). 

A planner aids in navigating pitfalls by analyzing venue pricing and identifying upfront additional costs, minimizing surprises. Assist in prioritizing spending to focus on the wedding elements that hold the most significance to you. This ensures that you get the most out of your budget without compromising your vision or overspending.

Consider hiring a planner before picking your venue; there’s no single “right” way to plan a wedding. Having a planner from the start ensures informed decisions, budget control, and a wedding reflecting your style and vision.

If you’re interested in working with a professional planner who will handle all of these touchpoints and planning details seamlessly for you, reach out to us today and set up a complimentary consultation!