For every wedding to be planned, there are a dozen to-do lists to be completed; so for most couples, help with the ins and outs of wedding planning is happily welcomed. And though we know how beneficial a wedding consultant can be, we thought we'd share all of the wonderful and helpful things they bring to the table when it comes to planning and preparing for the big day.

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#1. They'll Save Your Time

This might be the most obvious reason to hire a wedding consultant. And for good reason. Whether you're looking for someone to handle a few remaining tasks before the big day, or you're wanting someone to handle everything from the word "go," a wedding consultant is going to take on some of the heavy lifting that comes with wedding planning.No matter what your needs may be, a planner is going to save you time and stress.

Founder of the local Lola & Co. Events, Kacy Hughes, says that every consultant offers something a little different when it comes to services (i.e. saving you time and/or more time). Places like Lola & Co. Events offer full-service coordination, partial coordination and day-of management for couples. Whereas others, like Tulsa's Mary Fencl Events, personalize their "packages" to each individual couple.

"We customize our services to fit every unique situation," business owner Mary Fencl says. "We are eager to provide our clients with exactly what they want and need, and not charge for a service that is designed for someone else’s wedding day."

Regardless of your needs, most places offer options when it comes to services, leaving it up to you to determine how much of your time and energy can be devoted to the tasks of wedding planning.

#2. Details, Details

Some people have a great skill in seeing the big picture but often struggle with the minutia of the details. This is what wedding planners DO. They are your Type-A, organized-to-a-'T' and always-prepared-with-an-itinerary kind of people. You can trust they will remember your Aunt Josie can't be seated near Aunt Tina because they're quarreling, and she can't sit anywhere close to the DJ because she's hard of hearing. One of many tiny, yet important, details that will come up with planning your wedding. And that's what your planner is for!

#3. They'll Stick to Your Budget

Budgets. Are. No. Fun. But... they are absolutely necessary. And if you're anything like the average Joe, it's likely you're wedding has a set budget with a bottom dollar. The financial aspect of wedding planning can often take hours of calculations and graphs; it causes stress for most couples. Why not allow someone else to take on the burden of dwindling dollar signs and tedious excel charts?It's also worth saying that a wedding planner will know when to say "no." If it's not pertinent to completing your vision, and it takes too much from the budget, your planner will have no problem drawing a line. You might think that those custom caricature party favor cookies are worth the cost, but are they?(And yes, we know you have to budget for a planner, too. See #6.)

#4. They Give Great Vendor Recommendations

Most wedding planners have been in the business for a hot minute. They know which photogs produce the best work in a setting lacking in natural light. They know Vendor A doesn't work well with Vendor B and follows very strict business etiquette. Etcetera

"A consultant will be able to pair you with the vendors that fit your vision and your budget the most." Hughes says. They will not only help you realize your vision and bring it to life, but also they will set you up with vendors who they know can deliver when the big day arrives. And having reliable, professional vendors is an important factor in making sure your day is exactly as you're picturing it.

#5. You'll Get to Enjoy the Moment

"Your wedding consultant should bring you peace of mind and the ability to really enjoy the wedding from the start of planning to the final send off," Hughes says.

Hiring a wedding planner allows you to sit back and enjoy the ride. Want to be consulted on every detail? Great, done. Want to focus on your new knitting hobby and let your planner take the reins? Perfect, knit away. This gives you the opportunity to actually enjoy planning your wedding because you can pick and choose how much time you want to spend on it. And though you can be as involved as you want with the planning process, come the big day, you can count on your consultant to take care of every detail, hiccup and question that comes up. And trust me, they will come.

"I think everyone has a basic understanding that wedding and event planning is a lot of work," Fencl says. "That’s why there is the stigma of high stress brides with wedding planning. It just doesn’t have to be that way. No one should be losing sleep, going bankrupt, or fighting with relatives over what is supposed to be the happiest day of their lives!"

When you can shed the responsibilities of the day, the potential for stress significantly lowers. And that means more time to be present. And everyone deserves to be fully present on their wedding day.

#6. They Have Insider Access

Wedding planners work with caterers, DJs, florists, you name it.... on a regular basis. They can offer advice and connections with others in the industry that you might otherwise miss out on if you planned the wedding on your own. "Often they can help you stick to your budget," Hughes says. "[But] they also receive discounts you otherwise might not and even know ways to achieve certain looks on your budget."

So while you have to budget for a wedding planner, too, they can save you money in many other areas by way of knowing information you don't about others in the industry. They also will work and stretch the money you do have and will make sure your vision isn't compromised due to budgeting issues.

A few tips when choosing a professional wedding consultant:

Start your search early on. Give yourself time to find a good fit.
Ask your venue for consultant recommendations. They'll know plenty with good reputations.
Narrow your list down to a few. Do your research and look at reviews if available.
Interview. Meet each one in person and make sure your personalities are a good match."This person needs to be trustworthy, professionally calm, reliable, friendly, and fun," says Fencl. "Make sure you find someone that you like hanging out with and value their opinion! That’s part of the job!"

And that about sums up our advice and direction when it comes to hiring a wedding planner. A big thank you to Kacy Hughes and Mary Fencl for giving us a professional take on the benefits of hiring a wedding planner!Is there anything you'd add to our list? Why would you hire a wedding planner? Share with us in the comment section below.

Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner