First, let me say that I was planning on doing my next inspiration series post. However, I felt that I needed to take a little break and honor a special someone in my planning process. I’ve been trying to rehash my planning experience as it happened, for the most part, but this next “shout out” doesn’t fall into that sequence. Now that I’m so close to my wedding, this person has really been a huge part and I think anyone looking for a wedding planner or coordinator should know about mine.

Truth be told, I didn’t think I wanted a planner for the wedding. I love to plan events and can be a bit of a control freak. Although, I like to think that I still come off as laid-back. That being said, as the engagement pressed on, I knew that in order for us to have a happy and stress free wedding day that we would need some help. I started looking at day-of-coordinators, and to be honest, I wasn’t thoroughly impressed with some of my options. It seemed as though you either could get someone who barely did anything and was somewhat affordable, or someone who did a little more than nothing and was outrageous. I was not about to pay someone my hard earned money to step in and be another body on the wedding day. I had done most of the large details myself, and originally just wanted someone to direct people down the aisle and handle any emergencies. In comes the month-of packages. Things were looking up. I definitely saw the added value of having someone there to help you with all of the last minute details, give you fresh, new ideas, and keep you on track. I thought it over, and decided that a month-of-coordinator is certainly worth the investment, given the extra tasks they help you with.

I met with a couple of coordinators, and they all seemed to be fully capable of doing a great job. However, when I met Eliana of ellyB Events, I knew that I had met my coordinator. You really just cant explain it. I had the same feeling with our photographer, as you may have already read. You simply click with some people, and at that moment, you know that they are the choice for you.  I really wanted Elly to be a part of our day, and I was willing to do almost anything to make that happen. Where to begin? Eliana has a MBA and had an established career in the “corporate world”, so you can imagine that she is all business. However, that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t know how to have fun. It’s quite the opposite. I am getting down to the wire for my wedding; and without her, I know it would be a lot more stressful.

I can email, call, or text with the biggest or smallest complaint, and I know she’ll give me a straight-forward answer.  If you don’t want to take my word for it, she was recently voted one of the Top 10 Most Influential Event Planners in Atlanta, and she is one of EAD’s featured Atlanta vendors.That should say it all. She has a way of listening to your wants and needs and finding ways to make them happen. She also points out ideas that you might not have thought of yet. I can’t imagine trying to do all of this stuff on my own at the end, and I am now fully convinced of the value of hiring someone to help you. True, you could do it on your own, but why would you? Wouldn’t you rather enjoy your wedding day?

For all of you DIY brides, I get it. Believe me, I wanted to to handle a lot of the wedding planning myself. Go the Month-of-coordinator route. Your coordinator will be there for you whenever you need her, but you’ll be able to dig in and get your hands dirty with the initial planning. Let’s face it, that’s where a lot of the fun is! Check out Eliana at www.ellybevents.com. She is amazing, and you won’t regret it! Not only have I gained a helping hand, I have gained a friend.

Brides, are you using a planner/coordinator?

*ellyB Events is one of EAD’s fabulous featured vendors. For information on EAD’s editorial policies, click here.