10 Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Planning Experience for Your Luxury Outdoor Wedding
Here is our honest opinion and why we are such big fans, and 10 considerations to help you find the right Wedding Planning fit for you.
Choose the best planning option for your needs
Photo Credit: Callie Reisling
Budget
Can you afford a wedding planner?
Wedding planners charge for their expertise, but they may also help you save money through vendor connections or efficient budgeting. While it is not our job to make decisions for you or to spend your budget, we love helping our couples navigate vendor options to stay within the budget they have in place.
Value of time vs. cost
Consider whether the cost of a planner outweighs the time, stress, and potential savings they bring. They say time is money, but we also believe its piece of mind. Planning a wedding is something many have only done once, its not something they do every day. So while you absolutely can learn and do it all on your own, you just have to decide if you want to and if your life will allow the time and energy you will need. For example, I am no mechanic, I can certainly learn how to fix something but it is going to take me far longer and I may not have the tools I need to do the job. I would need to decide if the cost of my time and energy outweighs the price of my local mechanic.
2. Time and Availability
How much free time do you have?
If you have a demanding schedule or little time for planning, a wedding planner can handle the logistics. Our friends at Holden Michael Events have some amazing suggestions for balancing the process if you are BUSY! Fielding information from vendors and sorting through contracts takes a lot of time especially if you are trying to stick to a budget.
Are you planning a destination wedding?
If your wedding is in a location far from home, a planner familiar with the area can be invaluable. We promise having boots on the ground to navigate your planning process is a brain saver! Depending on the time of year you are having your wedding this becomes even more crucial. If you have a destination winter wedding, you are going to want someone to navigate and recommend local vendors to your venue to ensure arrival times and equipment requirements.
3. Complexity of the Wedding
Size and scope of the event
Large or elaborate weddings with many details, venues, and vendors may benefit from a professional. La Joya Dulce offers small intimate options to extravagant celebration options and we cant wait to guide you through what your best fit is.
Special circumstances
Cultural traditions, religious ceremonies, or multi-day events often require expertise. La Joya Dulce offers packages allowing for 3 days designated to your wedding with options to hold your rehearsal dinner, or a Sunday post-wedding brunch to revel in this new chapter of life.
Photo Credit: Amelia Ann Photography
4. Your Organizational Skills
How comfortable are you managing details?
If you're highly organized and enjoy planning, you might not need a professional to do full wedding planning. At a minimum though we do require you to have a professional there to manage the logistics of your day… remember this day is for you to enjoy! Not to work!
Are you confident with vendor negotiations?
A planner can advocate for you and handle contracts, which might be intimidating for some. Our planning team takes it a step further by curating and customizing the vendors we recommend to you based on your wants and needs cutting back on the leg work for you.
5. Vision for the Wedding
Do you have a clear vision?
If you're unsure about style, themes, or vendors, a planner can provide guidance. La Joya Dulce’s planning professionals each have a unique style and skill set to help you discover your dream and put it into a plan. So weather you have had your dream wedding mapped out since you were 5 years old, or you are just now beginning to dream, our dream team (see what I did there) has you covered!
Can you handle unexpected issues?
A planner acts as a problem-solver, ensuring the day goes smoothly. Listen some people act well under preasure and some have a hard time when their plan has to pivot. The good news is that the planners at La Joya dulce are experts at solving problems before they get to become problems. Should any issue arise we do everything in our power to pivot without any interruption to your plan and your ability to enjoy your day!
6. Stress Management
How do you handle pressure?
If planning feels overwhelming, hiring a professional can ease stress. The time and energy poured into this day is worth your piece of mind in its execution and delivery. Weddings have this stigma of being inherently stressful but we at La Joya Dulce don’t buy into that. We believe having a clear vision and the ability to organize and prioritize the planning process leaves no room for stress because everyone is on the same page.
Support on the wedding day
A planner can act as a point of contact for vendors, guests, and staff, freeing you to enjoy the day. Hear me out here, even if you have an army of friends and family desperate to help and willing to be at your beck and call…. if these are the people you love and have invited to share in the joy of your wedding day shouldn’t they also get to be present and celebrate this momentous occasion with you?
Photo Credit: Tippy Jordan
7. Wedding Management vs. Full Planning
Do you need full-service planning or just coordination?**
Some couples opt for a "day-of" coordinator or “Wedding Manager” rather than full-service planning. This all depends on you and what you want your experience to be during your planning process. Maybe planning your wedding is exciting to you and you can not wait to navigate your vendor selection, and structure out your perfect day! Maybe you are someone who loves the details in the planning but has absolutely no desire to research your eyes out finding the perfect Dj, and would rather have quality choices plopped right in your lap. Or Maybe you are someone who simply wants to give us your dream, trust us to make it happen and just show up for your dream wedding. Which ever maybe you may be we have you covered. Please understand that while we would be honored to help you not just as your venue but as your planning team we truly want you to choose the wedding professional that is best for YOU even if it is not with our team! We love hosting outside planners as long as they are the best fit for you!
DIY-friendly?
If you enjoy DIY projects, a planner might only be needed for logistics. This is why we love to offer our wedding management services, so that you have someone that understands your vision and can execute it to your level of expectation.
8. Feedback from Friends and Family
Can family or friends help?
While loved ones can pitch in, they might lack the expertise or prefer to relax and enjoy the event. We love how loved you are! A good rule of thumb to consider though: if you are inviting them to your wedding as a guest…. please don’t make them work! It is one thing to have friends and family helping with centerpieces, invitations and even set up but for the people you love and those that love you we want them to be as present in your day as you are.
9. Local Vendor and Venue Knowledge
Do you need insider connections?
Planners often have a network of trusted vendors and venues, which can save time and ensure quality. At La Joya dulce we make sure to get to know you, who you are, what’s important to you and what your vision is for your wedding day. From here we can research, gather and present a specialized list of vendors that already check your boxes based on what your priorities are.
10. Your Personal Preference
Do you enjoy planning?
If you see wedding planning as fun and rewarding, you may not need a full planning professional. Or if you are a control freak like many professional planners are you can not imagine handing the reins over to any one else. Thats okay thing of our wedding managers like your temporary bff who will take your brilliantly crafted plan and execute it as if it were our own.
What is your partner’s input?
Your partner's perspective and willingness to help can also impact the decision. Make sure you are on the same page with what you each are able to dedicate, time and energy wise, to planning your wedding. You are a team and being on the same page is the only way to start your wedding planning journey!
Photo Credit: Kara Moore Photography
Some Final Thoughts:
Should you hire a wedding planner, wedding manager or DOC. Our completely biased opinion is YES! This is your wedding! you should enjoy the whole thing, not be trying to find joy around managing the day. Whichever wedding professional you go with though, that completely depends on your personal needs and wants. Whichever you choose we hope your choice serves you well and that your wedding day looks and feels like it jumped right out of your dreams! We cant wait to see how we can help this happen!
about la joya dulce
At la joya dulce, we are proud in being an independently owned and operated, local wedding venue. When you choose la joya dulce in Steamboat Springs, you're not just booking a venue—you're working directly with the owners, who are dedicated to making your day perfect. You are not just a transaction to us - you become a member of our ranch family. We’re committed to creating memories and intentional moments for you and your family. We believe in supporting our community, which is why we collaborate with other independently-owned venues and businesses.
We also believe in being the “real deal.” Our photos that are shared by our wonderful photographers are the real deal - there is no AI involved in their creation. Come take a look for yourself - the reality is often better than the photos!
We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
Celebrations Event Center, Bell Tower Falls, Harris Glen, and All 4 One Farms.