It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when you sit down to start planning your wedding. You go from being the happiest woman in the world to becoming a stressed-out event organizer overnight and on top of the usual juggles of raising a family and working the 9-5, you’ve got to worry about what color confetti you’re going to use, and where Aunt Joan will be seated.

There is another option: hiring a wedding planner. Below, we’ve rounded up reasons why…

Take charge of the whole day

One of the best things about working with a wedding planner is that they’ll take charge of the whole day, rather than one aspect of your wedding. The chances are that your big day will be held across multiple venues catering to different groups of friends and family, and making all of those elements gel together can be tough. A good planner will juggle all of your needs and tastes for each part of your wedding – from the ceremony to your first dance – and make it go off with a bang; you can forget about the little things and focus on the bigger picture.

Budgeting and legal

Weddings are super expensive. The average couple in the US spend around $34,000 on their wedding day, so you can’t afford to throw away money. And we get it: planners aren’t cheap, either, but they can help you make the most of your budget. They know what’s more important, where they can purchase supplies, and who can get you a good deal. They’ll also take charge of the legal side, drawing up contracts with venues and insuring your wedding.

Saves you unnecessary stress

Streamlining the wedding planning is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a planner. It is so easy to get bogged down in the tiny details, which cause rifts and arguments within your family – a planner, on the other hand, will have everything under control so you can sit back and relax. And when you can’t agree on a color scheme, entertainer or venue, they can chime in with their expert advice and take away some of the decision-making from you.

They can incorporate quirky traditions

You know you want to get married in a church, but do you know how your day will pan out to the minute? Probably not. A good wedding planner will ensure every aspect of your big day has been considered, from where the rings will be stored pre-ceremony to your vows. They’ll also recommend some quirky traditions, like handfasting, for example. Claddagh Rings has an amazing infographic on Irish traditions you might want to include – like “tying the knot”.

Time and organization

The most important perk of working with a wedding planner is having someone who will be thinking about your big day as soon as they’re hired. Most venues and entertainers juggle dozens of weddings in a typical wedding calendar, meaning you’re just a number. Having a dedicated point of contact means everything will go according to plan. No last-minute rush and no unnecessary cancelations or double-bookings; they’ve got everything covered!

Possible discounts

Weddings don’t come cheap, but a good wedding planner will be able to haggle some discounts and freebies. You’re unlikely to score a special offer as a couple – wedding venues and entertainment are in high demand. But wedding planners offer venues repeat business year in, year out, and so organizations are more likely to take their requests seriously.

Still on the fence about a wedding planner? Let us know your thoughts and check back soon – we’re always sharing tips and tricks on making the most of your money and getting hitched.