The hardest part of planning a wedding is the fact that you have probably never done it before. Think of it this way- it is like going directly from training wheels to a solo cross-country bike ride.
Wedding planning is no easy task, and as not only a wedding photographer, but also someone who got married myself three years ago, I know firsthand how overwhelming the whole process can be! So I sat down with Gee from Gee What a Wedding , a wedding planner to get some help.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you decided to get into the wedding industry as a wedding planner?
I fell into the wedding planning industry when my best friend had to go overseas where her boyfriend at the time had relocated his business. She called me and said listen can you please start planning my wedding and when I am back we can finalise the smaller details. This was in 2006 when websites and google was not the tools they are now.
When the wedding was over I was absolutely in love with the whole process and planned a few more close friends weddings .In high school I was always the planner of events. School formals, end of year events, birthday parties , and fundraisers. I was also always the host at awards nights and also school concerts which then also lead me to become a marriage celebrant.
Why should couples hire a wedding planner and what is something special that you can offer your couples?
Every couple should hire a wedding planner . The reason for this is because there are so many steps involved, so many decisions to make and it is an overall very overwhelming process. Having a wedding planner on your wedding team is calming , and knowing that you have someone to always turn to for advice and to spread the heavy load of planning is just peace of mind.
What is the first step you recommend a bride takes after booking her venue?
Before or after booking their venue they should book in their wedding planner. The planner will help coordinate all of their must have wedding vendors and the dates available. The planner will also be able to do cost comparisons for the vendors/ suppliers that the couple is interested in. The planner can also negotiate better rates on their behalf or get extra value add ons to their selected vendor packages.
There are so many vendors to choose from on a wedding day, how can you help the couple?
I always ask my clients if they have specific suppliers/vendors that they would like to book in. Once they let me know who they like I advise them if I have heard of them, if there are any good and bad reviews that we have of them in the industry or I contact them and have a chat with them and meet with them to ensure that they are the type of supplier that my clients are after . With that I mean, price , packages, personality, professionalism and the passion for their job and that they are not just doing job for my clients just for money.
Can you leave us with some tips for bride and grooms planning their wedding day?
Absolutely!
- Get yourself a wedding planner the instant you get engaged. There are heaps of planners our there but there are also many that do not go above and beyond. Make sure your personalities match as you are then on a journey with your planner anywhere from 5 months – 2 years.
- Do not trust your suppliers on what they upload to their Instagram and socials and the following that they have. Contact them and see how long it takes to respond to you. Call them and have a chat to them on the phone and finally either meet with them or have a zoom meeting (due to Covid) and then make your bookings accordingly
- Price does not determine how good a supplier is.
Sounds great, where can I find out more about you and get in touch?
Instagram Gee What a Wedding and Marry Me Gee
Our website www.geewahtawedding.com.au or www.marrymegee.com.au
Mobile phone 0405 984 679
