Why Hiring a Wedding Planner Is a Power Move (and Your Photographer Will Thank You)
DeShawn Steele • May 5, 2025
Why Every Bride Needs a Wedding Planner
Let’s keep it real: weddings are beautiful, but behind the scenes? It can feel like managing a small army while wearing a white dress or a tailored tux. That’s where a wedding planner swoops in like the superhero you didn’t know you needed. And as your trusted wedding photographer over here at Shots by Shawn Photography, let me tell you—we see everything on wedding days… and when there’s a planner involved? The vibe hits different.
Here’s why hiring a wedding planner is one of the best decisions you’ll make (outside of choosing the right spouse and photographer, of course):
1. They Keep the Chaos Off Camera
We’ve photographed weddings with and without planners—and we promise, the difference shows up in your photos. A planner makes sure you’re not flustered, crying over seating charts, or late to your own ceremony. They manage the behind-the-scenes so you can actually be present in your pictures.
2. Budgets Stay Cute and Controlled
Think wedding planners are expensive? Imagine blowing your budget because no one told you chair rentals would cost more than your dress. Planners know how to stretch your dollar, and their connections often score you deals you wouldn’t find on your own. You end up spending smarter, not harder.
3. They Know Who’s Legit (and Who’s Gonna Ghost You)
We’ve worked with planners who brought in A1 vendors—florists who show up early, caterers who don’t run out of food, DJs who actually read the room. Your planner will vet everyone and coordinate them, so you're not fielding vendor calls during your bridal glam.
4. Design Help That Makes Your Photos Pop
Your planner is the one who’ll help you figure out if blush pink and emerald green really go together. They tie everything together—florals, tablescapes, ceremony vibes—and that makes our job easier when capturing your aesthetic. Your photos will be Pinterest-board ready because the whole day actually matched.
5. They’re the Calm When Stuff Hits the Fan
Let’s say your officiant is late, your dress rips, or your uncle knocks over the cake (yep—we’ve seen it). A good planner won’t panic. They handle hiccups quietly, quickly, and with grace. You may not even know there was a problem… until after your honeymoon.
Our Favorite? Quincy Bates of Quincy Bates Productions
If you’re booking Shots by Shawn Photography, we highly recommend our go-to planning partner Quincy Bates. This man is a mastermind. With years in the game and a calm-but-commanding presence, Quincy brings high-level coordination with a creative edge. From timelines to table layouts, he’s the planner we trust when we’re behind the camera.
You can check him out at www.quincybates.com.
Real Talk: Your wedding photos will be more relaxed, more beautiful, and way less rushed when a planner like Quincy is part of the team. And trust us—your future self flipping through that album will thank you for investing in both planning and photography that’s on point.
Let’s make magic together—stress-free and stunning.
— Shots by Shawn Photography
