Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring a Wedding Planner

Each year thousands of men and women get married. When getting married, couples basically have two main planning options. They can either plan their own wedding or they can hire a professional wedding planner. As with any item or service, there are advantages and disadvantages to hiring a wedding planner.

A wedding is a major organizing event, no matter the type or the sizes, with even the smallest and simplest weddings require a great deal of organization in the lead up to the big day. With the current wedding industry reporting that weddings are getting bigger and more expensive than ever before, many couples appear to be turning to wedding planners to assist in their wedding organization.

One of the advantages of a hiring a wedding planner is that you will get everything you want for your wedding without having to do much of the work. A wedding planner will plan and organize your wedding, but they will do it all the way that you want. This means that you will pretty much select a cake and then the wedding planner will ensure that the cake is ordered, made, and delivered on time for your wedding.

Another advantage of hiring a professional wedding planner is that you will get the best deal for your money. Wedding planners are experienced in finding great wedding deals. There are also many wedding planners who receive discounts from regularly working with certain catering companies, music djs, and other vendors.

A wedding is supposed to be a wonderful day, but that does not mean that unexpected events or emergencies will not occur. The majority of wedding planners are trained and experienced in handling all aspects of a wedding, including emergencies. This will allow a bride and groom to sit back and enjoy their wedding no matter what may happen.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of hiring a wedding planner is that it will save you a lot of time. Wedding planners are responsible for contacting vendors, ordering wedding items, keeping on budget, and just about every other part of a wedding that needs to be planned. This means that a couple could continue to go about their daily activities without having their wedding cause any distractions.

There are only a few disadvantages to hiring a wedding planning. Those disadvantages include the cost and the possibility of hiring someone inexperienced. In today's world just about any individual can develop their own business. Meeting a wedding planner ahead of time and requesting the contact information of past clients is a great way to ensure that you are hiring the services of a trained professional.

As previously mentioned, the cost of a wedding planner will be fairly expensive, but it is one that is usually worth it. Many brides would be more than willing to pay a professional wedding planner just for peace of mind. It is possible to find a low-cost wedding planner; however, quality should not be compromised for price.

It is easy to see that the advantages of hiring a wedding planner outweigh the disadvantages, but the decision is up to you. If you are a new bride or groom who is concerned with planning a wedding you are encouraged to at least schedule a free consultation with a local wedding planner.

Planning a Cocktail Party

“A medium vodka dry Martini - with a slice of lemon peel. Shaken and not stirred.” James Bond (Sean Connery) in Dr No.

Imagine a cocktail party where the men are dashing and the women glamorous – and you at the centre the perfect host!

Now if you’re feeling inspired, stop! Think! A little planning beforehand will help make your cocktail party go with an even bigger swing!

• Choose a date. A late Sunday afternoon or early evening affair is likely to accommodate more people than a Friday or Saturday night. Pick a date well in advance.
• Decide whom you’re going to invite. A mix of about 10-12 old and new friends works well – as long as you pick carefully!
• Send out formal invitations at least three weeks in advance. Receiving a proper invite through the post, especially if it’s unexpected, is all the more exciting. State times, dress code and what to expect in the way of food and drinks. If you’re having a themed party (check Cocktail Party Themes), the invitation is the place to let people know.

For Example:
Welcome to Breakfast at ABINIBI’s Garden!
Please join us from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm
for ice-cold dry martinis and swanky hors d’oeuvres
Tuxedo and little black dress optional but very desirable!

• Plan your food and drink. Make a shopping list and buy non-perishables in advance. Don’t forget the non-alcoholic cocktails for the designated driver.
• Design the party area. As well as seats and space for mingling, you need a table to act as cocktail bar and another table for the nibbles. If you’re having a theme, you’ll need to think about any decoration you want for the room.
• Flowers, candles and music will all help set the scene. Again, planning in advance is the key.
• Sort out your glasses. You’ll need to allow at least two per person. If you don’t have enough, borrow some from your local off-licence, or visit some charity shops: you may be able to pick up cocktail glasses cheaply. Wine glass charms will help your guests remember which glass is theirs.
• Practice mixing cocktails. Not only will this make you look good in front of your guests, you’ll get to drink what you practice on!
• You’ll need plenty of ice. A cool box filled with ready-prepared ice cubes should last you a while – but start freezing the cubes early in the day.
• It’s pleasant to end the evening with some sweet nibbles and coffee - maybe Irish coffee. As well as satisfying the sweet-toothed amongst your guests, it signals that it’s nearly time to go home.
• Have the phone number of a taxi firm to hand in case your innocent-seeming cocktails prove too tempting for some of your guests!

Stocking the Bar
We suggest you offer a small number of cocktails based on the same one or two spirits. The contents of your bar will depend on which ones you choose, but a basic cocktail bar will contain some or most of these:

• Vodka
• Rum
• Gin
• Bourbon
• Scotch
• Tequila

You could stock up on the liqueurs, such as Crème de Menthe, Baileys or Drambuie, but that’s getting a bit extravagant and not really necessary if you don’t already have some in the house. But you will need some or all of these mixers:

• Fruit juices
• Soda water
• Tonic water
• Coca cola
• Ginger ale
• Angostura bitters
• Tabasco sauce

And don’t forget dry vermouth if you’re planning martinis!

Garnishes

• Some experts say the more the garnish, the worse the drink, but some cocktails benefit from an olive (martini), a cherry or a twist of lemon or lime peel (Manhattan). And plenty of ice!
• Salt or sugar-rimmed glasses can look very attractive. Rub a wedge of lime or lemon around the rim of the glass. Spread some coarse salt or caster sugar on a saucer and dip the rim in it. Chill.

Extras
To look the bees’ knees, your bar will need at least 1 cocktail shaker and an ice bucket, plus toothpicks and olives. Cocktail umbrellas and plastic olive swords are optional depending on the theme. 

How Much?

• Allow 3 or 4 cocktails per person. A 750 ml bottle will give you about 16 cocktails. Play safe and buy a little more than think you need.
• If you’ve decided to offer 2 or 3 cocktails, make them up in iced pitchers and have them ready to pour.

And Finally

• Home measures tend to be more generous than bar measures so add lots of mixer to the drink.
• A cocktail party is meant to be fun – for the host as well as the guests! Be well prepared and enjoy yourself!