Why you should hire a wedding planner first thing after you get engaged! | Laura Brezel

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming—guest lists, budgets, venues, and vendors all fighting for your attention. But what if we told you there’s one move that could save you time, money, and stress from the start? Today, we’re joined by Laura Brezel, a Bay Area wedding planner with 20 years of experience, to break down why hiring a planner first is the smartest decision you can make after getting engaged.

Once you’re engaged, the excitement kicks in fast—but so does the stress of planning. You might be tempted to jump straight into booking venues, dress shopping, or Pinterest deep dives. But according to expert planner Laura Brezel, there’s one decision that should come first: hiring a wedding planner.

Laura walks us through what couples should be thinking about right after getting engaged—from setting a budget and guest list to choosing a venue that actually fits your vision. Spoiler alert: just because a venue says it fits 200 people doesn’t mean it should. She also shares real-life wedding planning mishaps that could have been avoided if couples had a planner in their corner from the start.
Beyond logistics, Laura explains how having a planner means you actually get to enjoy your wedding day instead of handling last-minute problems. Whether it's managing the vendor timeline, keeping things on schedule, or making sure your drunk uncle isn’t causing a scene, a planner ensures your only job is soaking in the moment.
If you’re in the early stages of planning, don’t miss Laura’s insider tips on choosing vendors that fit your personality and budget, creating a stress-free guest experience, and avoiding common mistakes that could cost you big time.

Episode Highlights:
-Why hiring a planner first can save you thousands.
-How to pick a venue that fits your vision (not just your guest count).
-The mistake couples make when hiring vendors (and how to avoid it).
-Why wedding timelines are never exact—and that’s okay.
-How a planner ensures you actually enjoy your wedding day.
-Real stories of wedding day disasters that could have been avoided.

Got wedding planning questions? We’d love to answer them on the show! DM us or drop your questions in the comments. And if you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps other couples find the show!

Get in Touch with Laura:
Website https://www.ofrabjousdayevents.com/
Facebook   / ofrabjousdayevents  
Instagram   / ofrabjousdayevents  

Get in Touch with Kevin:
Wedding IQ https://weddingiq.com/
Fantasy Sound https://fantasysound.com/
Instagram   / fsesevents  
TikTok   / fsesevents  

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