Unless you’re going to elope or get married in a casual backyard ceremony, pulling off a wedding can be incredibly stressful and difficult. While you may be tempted to do some things yourself, or with the help of a friend, there are some elements of your wedding which you shouldn’t leave to non-pros. These include:

The Wedding Cake. Yes, your mother made a great Cookie Monster birthday cake for you when you were 5. But, this is your wedding. And, unless Mom is a professional cake designer and baker, you may want to choose someone who is. Face it, next to the couple, the wedding cake is the center of attention at a reception. It should look incredible and taste even better than it looks. You want your wedding cake to be remembered for what it was, and not what it wasn’t. Don’t lose sleep worrying whether Mom or “a friend of a friend of a friend” is up to the task. Hire a professional.

The Reception Food. The advantages of using a professional caterer are many. First off, professional caterers have done this before, so they have experience in preparing and serving food to large groups of people. Secondly, they do all the cleanup. While it’s true that the food at the reception can be an expensive element of your wedding, there are ways to save. You can, for example, consider having a lunch-time wedding buffet, or perhaps an hors d’oeuvres reception.

Your Wedding Photographs. Providing your guests with disposable cameras is a good thing. They may capture some photos of your friends and family that will delight you for years. But, don’t let that be your substitute for professionally-shot wedding photos. Professional photographers know how to set up shots, and capture certain moods through lighting and posing. When choosing a wedding photo for your mantle, you’ll be glad you went with a professional.

Of course, the above are just a few things you have to consider when planning your wedding. If having a wedding outside your home, you have to rent a ceremony and reception venue. There are also flower arrangements and decorations. Stressed out yet? That’s why it’s also a good idea to consider hiring a professional wedding planner to coordinate all the different steps needed for a flawless wedding. While you may think that this is an unnecessary expense for something you can do yourself, remember that professional wedding planners do more than just relieve you of the stress of planning your wedding. While this may be your first wedding, event planners have planned many weddings before yours. They’re used to working under pressure, and know what to do when the unexpected happens. And, professional planners have many contacts among the various wedding professionals. Those contacts can often help you get the best deals and results.

When seeking professionals for your wedding, do be sure to interview them to see if you can work together. You don’t have to go with the first person you contact. Be sure to find a professional who is a good fit for you and the type of wedding you want. Some questions you may want to ask include the following:

1. What do you charge for your services, and what is included?
2. How long have you been in the wedding business?
3. What size weddings do you most typically plan?
4. Can you provide me with a list of references?
5. When I need to contact you, how long before I can expect a reply?

Remember, this is your wedding. If you think the professional you hire is going in a different direction than was discussed, talk it over with him or her. Have the wedding that you want.

Author Bio: Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of several wedding websites, where you can learn about destination weddings, planning a wedding and eloping.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: wedding planning, wedding professionals, hiring a wedding planner, how to plan a wedding