Do We Really Need A Wedding Planner? An Interview with a Wedding Planner

Today we’re chatting with Karima, the creator of “The Planning Bee”. I was really excited to interview Karima, so that she can provide a lot of useful advice and insight to couples who have recently gotten engaged or who are in the thick of planning their wedding day. This is the first interview in a blog series called “People In The Industry”. In this series I interview different vendors associated with the wedding industry. The goal is to provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to help organize the wedding of your dreams.

I first met Karima, in 2021, when she reached out to me on behalf of one of her Columbus wedding couples. From our first conversation I knew Karima was a person in the wedding industry that I wanted to work with again. Her personalism and due diligence throughout the process and on the wedding day made my job, as a photographer, ten times easier. In 2022, I returned to the favor and sent one of my couples to her for to help plan the tail end of their wedding day. Ironically, both times we have worked together have been weddings at art museums (Columbus Art Museum and Cincinnati Art Museum). Needless to say I’m looking forward to our next wedding together and truly appreciate Karima for taking the time to interview with me for this blog.

• Tell Us Your Story

  I started The Planning Bee 7 years ago.  I truly fell into the industry.  A friend I was working with, at my full-time job, was getting married and needed a coordinator.  She asked me to do it, and I agreed.  The venue she got married at loved what I did and from there they started to pass my information along to other couples.  Within a month after my friends wedding I got a call from someone I did not know needing a Coordinator.  The rest is history :) 

• Where Are You Based And What Areas Do You Cover?

  The Planning Bee is based in Columbus, OH but we service all of Ohio and Beyond.

• What Services Do You Offer?

  Our bread and butter is wedding planning and coordination, however new this year ,we started corporate and social event planning.  

• How Far In Advance Would You Advise Booking A Wedding Planner?

  12 months out.  We start working with our client no more than 12 months out from wedding day.  

• What Wedding Trends Are You Currently Loving?

  BOWS!  I love a perfectly tied bow.  

• What Tips Would You Give Couples Planning Their Own Wedding To Help Them Stay Organized?

  I would recommend starting an email address dedicated for your wedding.  This will help messages not get lost amongst other non-wedding emails, and will help keep you organized.

• Do You Help With Day Of Setup and Coordination?

  Yes!  Our "I-Do" package is our most popular package that assist with setup and teardown. 

• What Are Your Favorite Styles Of Weddings To Help Plan?

  I love weddings at traditional venues, but I also love managing weddings that are at non-traditional venues because they really stretch me as a planner! 

• What Are The 3 Main Benefits Of Having A Wedding Planner?

  1.  You have a person to lean on when wedding planning gets overwhelming

  2. A planner can help you stay on task

  3.  Planners have connection with vendors they trust, and this can be helpful along the planning journey

• Can Couples Save Money Having A Wedding Planner?

  Yes.  A Wedding Planner can help you cut cost in areas that make sense.  They can guide you through what you do and don't necessarily need.  

• Do You Recommend Vendors To Your Couples?

  We have vendors that we LOVE! They are typically our first stop when recommending vendors, but we love meeting and working with new vendors.  

• How Many Meetings Do You Have With Couples Before The Wedding Day?

  The amount of meetings depends on your package.

• Where Can We See Your Latest Work And Updates?

  Follow us @ TheplanningBeePlans 

LEARN ABOUT MORE “PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY”