When time is of the essence, a wedding planner may have many staff on call to help word invitations, assemble favors and coordinate the activities of vendors.

Managing your budget is critical. A professional can help you create a look that seems expensive but really isn’t. In addition, he or she may have relationships with vendors and be able to obtain discounts to help stretch your dollar even further.

Etiquette at a wedding is more difficult to understand these days. A planner also will be a valuable resource for maintaining protocol for seating, photography and more.

A wedding consultant will free up more of your time so you can enjoy the months leading up to your wedding. He or she can handle the details, allowing you to relax a bit more.

On the day of your wedding, many things need to be executed in a timely fashion, such as limousine arrival, ceremony, photos and travel to your reception site. A wedding planner can manage these details, taking some of the burden off you.

If you just cannot afford to hire a wedding planner or want to do the planning yourself, enlist the help of a few trusted friends and family members. Give them jobs you know they can handle. If a friend has good penmanship, let her address the invitations. If your brother is a marketing whiz, have him organize vendor contacts. If you know a seamstress or tailor, ask for help with your wedding wardrobe.