Making a stand

I meet with many brides and grooms throughout the week. Some just want advice, some want to know about what people they will need to have at their wedding for help and some just want to pick my brain about their wedding decorating.

I am more than happy to help all wedding couples---to a certain point. Granted, advice is nice to give and I am flattered that my opinion counts for something, but to be honest, I would like to get paid for what I do. I study constantly, take classes, read, travel for the knowledge that I freely disperse, and do a lot of online plus physical labor for my job. I do everything for you so you don't have to waste your time tracking down the details for your wedding. But it sure would be nice to be thought of in the professional manner--IE professional dues to be paid for professional knowledge.

We pay lawyers and accountants for their valuable knowledge. We pay personal lifestyle coaches for their knowledge and engaging pep talks. We pay interior designers for their expertise. We pay personal trainers for their motivating get-up-and-go-attitudes. So why not wedding planners?

Is it true that we are supposed to dispense knowledge like a PEZ candy dispenser? Flip the top and out comes a tip or task that will make your wedding that perfect day that you have always dreamed about? Don't get me wrong--PLEASE! I really do like helping couples and families achieve the perfect event, but I would also like to be recognized for this knowledge every once in a while.

So many people will email me for my pricing and then I never hear from them again. Granted, sticker shock may account for the majority of the no-calls, but let's do a comparison; a wedding couple will pay $500-600 for a Hummer Limousine that they will use for no more than 2 hours at the most. But they will go without a planner that can make sure that their entire wedding day is a grand event for everyone involved, is available for unlimited email and phone help throughout the wedding planning process and will come to the rehearsal the night before to help train ushers, hosts, and the entire bridal party so that everyone can enjoy themselves on the wedding day instead of standing around wondering what happens next. And this for almost the price of a Hummer?

Ouch! With most weddings, I average 60-75 hours and that doesn't include the hours of research for a particular favor, color, flower, or whatever else the wedding couple may need. If I charged by the hour, I would have to find another job very quickly! But I don't and therefore try to help every couple I possibly can. Wedding planning is my passion, my career, my life. I love it, breathe it, live it, and enjoy it. It would be nice to make a living from it as well!