As an owner of Granite Ridge Estate & Barn, I want each and every one of our couples to have the best wedding experience possible. Let's ge
t real, weddings can be incredibly stressful to plan, especially for couples that have full-time jobs. I wish I could require each of our guests to hire a wedding planner not only to design the day, but to also handle all of the little tasks and follow up that need to happen throughout the year. Many couples realize 3 months before their big day, they should have taken the advice, but at that moment it's too late. All of the planners are booked! The reality is that the weeks before, and day of your wedding, 20 or more vendors will be calling you, emailing you, and needing you for guidance and final decisions. You will go temporarily insane (it happens).
I recently 
met and interviewed Kristen Winters, owner and designer of Beehive Creative Events. Kristen is a well-seasoned and well-traveled Maine wedding planner, and offers full-scale event planning and design. She studied at the French Culinary Institute in NYC and has a masters degree in clinical counseling; a perfect background to manage all aspects of your day and even counsel you through it! Here are some more great reasons Kristen suggested as to why you should hire a wedding planner.
Wedding Planner Duties Are Ultimately Falling On Someone...
If a wedding planner isn't hired, someone in the family or a close personal friend will ultimately take the brunt of being the wedding planner or day of coordinator. They may not be prepared for the tasks at hand, or even feel like they didn't sign up for the duty. The family member or friend could become a bit resentful and not be able to actually enjoy the day.
Wedding Planners Will Help You Spend Where It Matters
Wedding planners will save you money. For those who have never planned an event before, it's easy to make costly mistakes by not knowing where and what to spend. You could end up purchasing items that aren't necessary to make the day feel exactly how you want it. A true wedding planner will help you with your budget planning by helping you put your money where the most value will be. Sometimes details that you think you want and need would actually be money better spent elsewhere. Wedding planners have an idea of what things cost and where the value is, which will help you stick to your budget.
Kristen stressed the importance of saving money for great wedding photography and 
not making that aspect a cost-saving measure. The pictures are the only thing that last forever. Lucky for a Maine bride, our beautiful state is full of incredible photographers. Just ask your venue or wedding planner for some great recommendations.
Wedding Planners Can Help You Keep Up With The Trends
Kristen pointed out that recently there has been a significant increase in lighting costs. Couples are loving lanterns, market lights, chandeliers, and even up-lighting is making a comeback. Lighting is a great way to change an entire feel and look to a room.
Another recent trend is flower crowns, flower walls, and even floral chandeliers.
A Wedding Planner Will Help You Be A Proper Host
Chances are your guests will have traveled far and wide to get to your special day. In some cases multiple trains, planes, and automobiles, in any combination. Long gone are the days where friends and families live in the same hometown. Weddings are no longer just about the couple. It's ultimately your responsibility to be a great host, and with that come duties around logistics, etiquette, timing, and the general enjoyment of your guests. Let the wedding planner be the host, because there needs to be one, and you just focus on the most important part of your day, your loved ones and getting married!
Kristen, thank you so much for the tips. We hope to see you soon!
Granite Ridge Estate on Instagram