The Ultimate Guide to Hiring the Right Wedding Planner for Your Big Day

So you’re engaged… cue the champagne, confetti, and at least three unsolicited opinions from relatives about what your wedding “should” look like.

Hi, I’m Shir Buslovich, the planner behind WGM Weddings Co. As a Toronto-based wedding planner, I’ve seen it all: the overwhelmed Pinterest scrollers, the couples juggling busy careers while trying to plan a wedding on their lunch breaks, and even the brave ones who thought they could “DIY it all” (spoiler: they eventually called me).

At WGM Weddings Co., I offer full-service planning, partial planning, and month-of-coordination. Which mean I don’t just show up with a clipboard. I partner with you to design, manage, and execute your wedding in a way that feels effortless, intentional, and unapologetically you. If you’re wondering if a planner is “worth it” (short answer: yes), let’s break down everything you need to know.

In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn…

Why You Should Hire A Wedding Planner
The Cost of NOT Having A Wedding Planner
5 Tips For Hiring The Right Wedding Planner
Real Stories Where a Planner Saved the Day
The Top Wedding Planners in Toronto & GTA
Best Venues for High End Weddings in the GTA
Wedding Planning FAQ’s

Why You Should Hire A Wedding Planner

Let’s be blunt: weddings are a BEAST. Planning a wedding is not the same as throwing a big party. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime production with dozens of moving parts, hundreds of people to consider, and an emotional weight that makes every decision feel monumental. Without guidance, most couples quickly realize they’re in way over their heads. A wedding planner is like your personal project manager, creative director, and stress-reliever all rolled into one. They are the person who makes sure the vision in your head become the reality in front of you.

When you hire a planner, you’re not just paying for someone to “book vendors”. You’re hiring expertise, strategy, and a trusted partner who knows how to steer the ship. I know which florists are amazing but always booked months in advance, and which venues actually deliver what they promise. This kind of insider knowledge saves you hours of research and countless headaches.

Most importantly, hiring a planner gives you back your engagement. Instead of spending your evenings knee-deep in vendor contracts or trying to figure out how much wine you’ll need per guest (yes, that’s a thing), you get to enjoy this season of your life. It’s about being present, not buried in logistics.

Here’s what happens with a planner on your side:

• Your ideas get organized. I take the jumble of inspiration in your head and turn it into an actual plan.

• You save time. Because honestly, who has 200+ hours to spend planning? (That’s the average, by the way).

• You save money. Planners know where to cut costs without sacrificing style.

• You avoid stress meltdowns. Because when Aunt Linda insists on a polka dot dance set, I’m the one who handles it.

• Your wedding actually runs smoothly. From the moment hair and makeup starts until the last sparkler fizzles out.

The Cost of NOT Having a Planner

Now, let’s flip the script. I’ve seen couples choose not to hire a planner because they think it will “save money.” And while I get it, weddings are expensive, skipping a planner usually ends up costing more. Why? Because mistakes are expensive. Forgetting to budget for gratuities, booking a photographer for fewer hours than you actually need, renting the wrong size tent, or having to scramble for last-minute vendors when your first choice falls through. All of these mistakes are preventable when someone experienced is guiding you.

Beyond the money, the emotional toll is real. I’ve watched couples turn into frazzled versions of themselves as the big day approached. I’ve seen parents pulled out of the dance floor to deal with a parking issue. I’ve seen brides who didn’t eat dinner because they were too busy checking on vendors. Without a planner, couples often end up managing a to-do list instead of actually living their wedding day.

One couple once told me, “We thought we could handle it ourselves… until we realized we hadn’t eaten all day and our florist couldn’t find the venue.” That’s when they wished they had me there.

And here’s the part no one wants to admit: when things go wrong (and they will), you don’t want to be the one fixing them. You want to be the one sipping champagne, laughing with your guests, and dancing until your feet hurt. Trust me when I say the cost of not hiring a planner is more than financial, it’s the cost of missing out on the joy of your own wedding.

3 Tips for Hiring the Right Wedding Planner

The wedding industry is full of talented professionals, but not every planner is the right planner for you. Your wedding is deeply personal, and the person guiding you through it should feel like both an expert and an ally. Here’s how to find that person.

First, consider their experience with your type of wedding. A planner who thrives on ballroom galas may not be the best fit for an intimate estate wedding, and vice versa. Ask about the kinds of events they typically plan, and listen for whether they light up when describing weddings similar to yours.

Second, look at their vendor connections. A strong planner doesn’t just bring organization; they bring a trusted network. When I recommend vendors, it’s because I know they’ll deliver, as I’ve worked with them before, seen their work under pressure, and trust them to take care of my couples. That peace of mind is invaluable.

Finally, don’t underestimate the personality fit. You’re going to spend a lot of time with your planner in calls, meetings, site visits, and late-night texts about seating charts. You should genuinely like this person. The right planner makes you feel heard, supported, and excited. If you feel like you’re being judged or pressured, keep looking. Your gut is usually right.

Real Stories Where a Planner Saved the Day

Planners don’t just make things look pretty; we save the day in ways you’ll never see on Instagram. For instance, when a cake collapsed during transport, I had a backup dessert table set up within 20 minutes, and the couple never knew until weeks later. To their guests, it looked like an intentional, Pinterest-worthy spread.

Or the time an officiant got stuck in traffic and wasn’t answering their phone. Within half an hour, I pulled from my network and had a licensed officiant at the venue, mic’d and ready, just as the music started. The guests? None the wiser.

And then there was the blackout. Mid-dinner, the power cut out. With candles, portable speakers, and a few quick calls to my vendor team, we pivoted into one of the most magical things that had ever happened. The couple? Blissfully unaware of the scrambling that went on behind the scenes.

These are the moments that remind me why planners matter. We don’t just plan weddings, we protect them.

The Top Wedding Planners in Toronto & GTA

Toronto has some incredible talent, and while I’d love to say “just pick me”, I also know the value of finding your perfect fit. A few other names you’ll see around are Fab Fête Event Planning Boutique, Narelle Janine Events, and Clement & Co. Events — and they do beautiful work.

But here’s where WGM Weddings Co. stands out: I blend bold creativity with obsessive attention to detail, while keeping the process fun and approachable. My couples often say I’m the perfect mix of a strategist, designer, and hype-woman. That’s the energy I bring to every wedding I plan (and execute!)

Wedding Planning F.A.Q’s

Do I really need a planner if my venue has a coordinator?
Short answer: yes. A venue coordinator works for the venue. I work for you. They manage catering and space logistics; I manage the entire wedding, from your timeline to your vendors to the overall guest experience.

What if I already booked some vendors?
That’s totally fine! I can jump in at any stage of planning, whether you’ve only booked your venue or you’re halfway through planning. My services are flexible because no two couples need the same level of support.

Will a planner fit my budget?
This is a big question. While planners are an investment, I often save couples more money than they spend on me. Between negotiation, avoiding costly mistakes, and connecting you with the right vendors the first time, I make sure your budget works smarter, not harder.

Wrapping Up

Hiring a wedding planner isn’t just about logistics. It’s about giving yourself permission to enjoy your engagement, walk into your wedding day without stress, and know that every detail is being handled by someone who’s been there before. Whether you want someone to guide you from start to finish or step in for the busiest months, that’s what I do best. If you’re ready to take the leap into stress-free planning, let’s chat.

About Me

Hey, I’m Shir Buslovich — lead planner, chaos-tamers, hype-woman, and the brains behind WGM Weddings Co. My job? To take all those Pinterest boards, late-night “what if we did THIS?!” ideas, and guest-list-induced stress spirals… and turn them into a wedding day that feels effortless, intentional, and very unapologetically you.

I’ve spent years building trusted network vendor relationships, mastering the art of timelines that actually work, and creating weddings that get talked about long after the last champagne glass is emptied. Think of me as your wedding’s secret weapon — equal parts strategy, creativity, and “let’s make this fun again.”

Ready to stop stressing and start planning? Click here to say hi! Let’s dream big and then make it happen.