Origin

The wedding industry has grown, and so has its services. Keeping track of everything is difficult for a couple that works full-time, so wedding planners were born from event planners, who were already handling large events, such as company functions and charity events.

Misconceptions

At one point, wedding planning was done by the mother of the bride, or it might have involved the entire family, all of whom helped out however they could to create a special ceremony for the couple.

Costs

Wedding planners once earned a nominal flat fee (or nothing at all, if they were doing it for family), but still did intensive labor. Today the cost of a wedding planner usually depends on your area and how in demand a planner is. Planners in New York City can charge a four-digit flat fee, while planners in the Midwest will likely charge by the hour.

Expansion

While wedding planning was once done by one person taking care of everything, now companies employ several people to handle all the details. Positions range from head wedding planner, to full-time assistants, to contract employees who tear down sets on an event-by-event basis.

Potential

The demand for wedding planners grows each year, especially in markets that have just begun to use wedding planners. Many wedding planners have also expanded their services to include quincineras, large coming-out parties for Mexican girls who are turning 15 years old.