Why would you hire a planner???

Most couples on a budget tend to hesitate on hiring a wedding planner but you may decide that the expense of a wedding planner is worth the aggravation you’ll avoid and most importantly, the savings the planner will make happen.. so is a wedding planner right for you? If you fit into one of these five categories of brides, then the answer might be yes.

5: You are just too busy

Do you have a job that requires a lot of your time? Or do you just have a lot on your plate in general? A wedding planner will help you schedule meetings with vendors (or even attend the meetings for you!), pick out linens and invitations, and take care of the other tasks that you just don't have time for.
Since wedding planners are professionals, they know the industry much better than the average person. With that in mind, they know exactly where to go to get the services and products that you want and are more able to negociate better deals.

4: Your Wedding Is Out of Town

Hiring a wedding planner is a great idea for brides who are having their wedding outside of their hometown, whether it's in a different city or country. If you're miles or time zones away from the location, it'll be helpful to hire someone who's familiar with the area as well as local vendors and venues.
Not only will a wedding planner help you get more bang for your buck, he or she will also be able to represent you at meetings with your vendors before the big day. A planner who has knowledge of the area is also handy for helping organize all of the details you'll need to cover for your guests, such as hotel accommodations, welcome baskets, maps and directions, and a list of fun things for them to do during their downtime.

3: You're Just Not That Into It

So, your best friend spent days picking out the perfect shade of blue for het overlays.. And your cousin interviewed six seamstresses before choosing one to alter her wedding dress. But you just aren't the kind of girl who's excited about hopping from store to store picking out flowers and favors.
Your planner will get to know your tastes so the wedding is tailored around your personality from the start.
It's your planner's job to take care of as many details as you want, and since you're paying for the service, take advantage of having the professional help.
The key is to have fun while organizing your wedding, so have a planner take care of the dirty work.

2: You Have a Small Budget

Trying to plan a wedding on a small budget? Although it seems like hiring a wedding planner is counter-intuitive, it will actually help you save money in the long run.
Your wedding planner will work with you to set a budget and then help you stick to it.  By understanding what's important to you, a wedding planner can also help you determine what items can be cut from the budget so you can afford to get what you want. Because most wedding planners have special relationships with vendors, they won't just get you the best deal in town -- they'll also help you rest easy knowing you're working with reliable companies.
If you can't afford to hire a planner to help you during the entire process, it's acceptable to bring one in halfway through your planning period or even just on your wedding day. This way, you can still benefit from the services of a wedding planner without the total expense.

1: You Get Easily Stressed

Does the thought of planning a wedding stress you out? Sure, there are a lot of details and things to think about, but planning a wedding should be fun! Having a wedding planner can ease the stress that you may feel during the planning process. A wedding planner will help you keep a timeline, stick to your budget and do the heavy-lifting so you can spend your time at hair and makeup trials or clinking champagne glasses at wedding showers.
Especially on the actual wedding day, it's convenient to have someone on hand to fix any issues that come up (and there are bound to be a few!). You shouldn't have to worry about sewing a button on the groom's tux or finding your grandmother's corsage -- you should be having the time of your life! After all, planning your wedding (and enjoying it) is the No. 1 priority on your to-do list.

Real Wedding - Antoinette & Lance

Antoinette & Lance

We really enjoyed this one - Really intimate little wedding with the "so in love" couple surrounded by just the loved ones.

Who says you need to splash to have your cousins, uncle and far away second cousin present on your special day?

Our 22 Money saving Tips for your wedding

We all know that weddings or any other type of events, does cost a lot of money nowadays, so we have put together some good tips to save a penny or two while still having an expensive looking event.
These are some of our favorit:

TIP#1
Find the right service providers
If your caterer has a set price per head and will not consider any other options, it’s probably not the right caterer for you. Find a service provider who understands what a budget is and can work out a fabulous menu within your budget! Not only you will end up creating your very own personalised menu but you will save your pennies too! 

TIP#2
Arrange your own flowers
They look expensive and difficult to make but the price difference between already made arrangements and buying loose flowers on the market is just crazy... and the reality is, they are really not that difficult! Buy the flowers (do not borrow from neighbor's garden!), borrow or buy glass jars or cute containers, and get creative. An easy filler is also to use a lot of candles (which you can also make yourself)
Some easy simple ideas for flower arrangements:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/eigbasflowar.html

TIP#3
Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.

TIP#4
Make your own stationery - that way you save money and have something very personal to treasure – the Confetti website offers a free print download service 

TIP#5
Light up the room
Reception decorations don't have to be elaborate to look Great. One inexpensive but effective way to do that is to use candlelight. Buy mirrors and candles at your local R5 store to use as the centerpiece for each table. When the lit candles are placed on the mirrors, the reflected light shines around the reception hall.

TIP#6
Getting a good planner can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. Unlike just anyone, planners have valuable connections with central names in the business that afford them discounts and special advantages. Good planners also know how to work within your budget. Your planner does not have to cost a lot of money. 

TIP#7
Make a Meal Plan
Another unforeseen expense? Feeding your wedding day crew. Before you sign the contracts, make sure you're not required to serve the same meal to your vendors that guests will receive. Otherwise, you could be paying for 20 additional lobster tails. Choose a less expensive (but equally hearty) meal for them instead. You will have to let your wedding caterer know a couple of days before the wedding exactly how many vendors you need to feed (don't forget photography assistants and band roadies) and what you want them to serve.

TIP#8
Skip the RSVP's cards and add a phone number or an email add instead or use an online RSVP tool such as www.event-rsvp.co.za

TIP#9
To stretch the food portion of the budget, look for small, reputable catering companies. They often charge less than big-name businesses and you’ll be supporting the local economy. If your event is in a hotel, you probably won’t be able to bring in outside catering. However, you can ask to piggyback on the menu of another group. Or, if you’re feeling creative, you can offer stomach-filling, team-building activities such as dessert or appetizer making sessions.

TIP#10
Instead of getting your heart set on a specific type of flower, ask your florist to tell you what is the best bargain flower available in your choices of colour. Flowers can be expensive so if you have a handy friend or relative, ask them to help you arrange your own flowers. Looks complicated but you can find many easy but pretty designs and how to online 

TIP #11 
The bar tab can mount up quickly and set you back. Make it easier by supplying a signature cocktail, some chosen wine and cool drinks that you purchase yourself and have a cash bar for anything else.

TIP#12
Try to avoid gifts that eventually become dust collectors. They tend to be more expensive, plus they’ll probably just get thrown away. Gifts with a personal touch, such as a small tin of sweets, a CD of your favorite songs, or some of your favorite brownies along with the recipe are great favors that are inexpensive, and always well appreciated! Make it a bonding session by asking your bridesmaid to pitch in and help putting them together!

TIP#13
Have an Autumn / Winter wedding!
While most rave about a summer wedding in high peak season, you should know that most venues are more willing to negotiate their rates in Autumn / Winter... and honestly... Winter in Cape Town is really not that bad at all!

TIP#14
Shorten the wedding-planning timeline.
Don’t wait a year to get married and it will be easier to simplify the wedding. “A recent trend I’ve seen is that couples are saving money by planning a more last-minute wedding, rather than the traditional 11-month runup,” says Alan Fields, coauthor of Bridal Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget. “The shorter time horizon will force you to streamline and keep you, by necessity, from getting sucked into the vortex of elaborate weddings.”
Fix yourself a budget and get yourself a planner that will work with you to make sure you have a magical day on a shoe string


TIP#15
Avoid week ends events - Fridays, sundays or week days are usually less expensive in terms of venue hire.
Use an experienced venue finder who can negotiate competitive rates and good add ons for you and your event. Remember, these professionals have the best data base of venues as they work with them on a regular basis!

TIP#16
A cocktail affair is generally less expensive than a sit down dinner!
We can provide you with delicious cocktails menus as we work with some of the best caterers in town, to choose from - please send us an email for more information.

TIP#17
Instead of ordering a huge expensive wedding cake, ask your caterer to serve dessert and order a small cake from professional cake decorator only for cutting and making great photos.

TIP#18
Cut cost on one of your course. If you have a lot of cocktail snack before dinner, then cut the starters. Otherwise skip desert and serve your cake instead

TIP#19
Save money by spending it on a planner? It sounds counter-intuitive, but wedding planners 1) are not shy when it comes to haggling, 2) can draw from years of experience working on budgets, and 3) have working relationships with vendors -- all of which can amount to big bucks shaved off your final bill.

TIP#20
Buy shoes that you'll actually wear again after the wedding -- something you likely won't do with white heels.

TIP#21
Work out a schedule (or get your planner to do) for your big day & try to stick to it - avoid paying for overtime fees for waiting limo, photographer or waiters! Venues charge also if you stay later than agreed

TIP#22
Instead of having all your waiters start and finish at the same time, have a few start and finish at different times so that you have them all at peak time but don't end up paying 20 staff who will have nothing to do!
For example have a few for set up, welcome drinks until end of dinner, another few starting at dinner time until the end and break down. You will save yourself a little fortune!