💔 Q&A: Why I Regret Not Hiring a Planner (Real Talk)

Spoiler alert: It involves a missing cake, a crying bride, and a very unbothered DJ.

🎤 Meet the Couple: Jessica & Daniel

Home Base: Cape Town

Wedding Location: Harare

Guest Count: 180

Planning Style: DIY (and deeply optimistic)

Diaspora Status: Jessica’s parents live in the UK, Daniel’s brother is in Australia, and 60% of their guest list was flying in.

We sat down with bride Jessica after the wedding to get the raw, real, and slightly emotional tea on why she now tells every bride:
"Girl, just get a planner."

🗣️ Q: What made you decide to plan it all yourself?

Jessica:
We wanted to save money and felt like we could manage most things online. I had time off work, and I’m pretty organised. Plus, Pinterest made it look doable. I thought, How hard can it be?

🧨 Q: When did it start getting… stressful?

Jessica:
At first, it was manageable. But then:

My decorator kept changing quotes

My makeup artist cancelled 2 weeks before the day

The cake arrived at the wrong venue

I didn’t have someone to manage guests or the timeline on the day, so I was literally calling the MC during my makeup session!

I thought I could handle everything — but I was exhausted before I even walked down the aisle.

💸 Q: Did you actually save money?

Jessica:
Honestly? No.
We ended up spending more because:

I didn’t know which vendors were trustworthy

I paid a rush fee for makeup

I had to book a second tent when the first setup didn’t fit

We lost our deposit on a caterer who bailed last minute

In the end, I think we overspent by about USD $1,200 on things a planner would’ve caught early.

🧠 Q: What would you do differently now?

Jessica:
Hire a planner just for coordination — even if not full-service. I didn’t need someone to pick my colours, I needed someone to:

Manage the day-of schedule

Be the go-to for guests and vendors

Remind me to EAT (because I didn’t!)

Protect my peace

Even a basic “month-of” planner would’ve made a massive difference.

🥴 Q: Any moment that still haunts you?

Jessica:
Our DJ didn’t bring a mic for the vows — and no one noticed until we were already standing at the altar. My brother ended up holding his phone as a mic and we had to shout “I do!” It was horrific and hilarious.

💬 Q: What advice would you give to brides planning their wedding in Southern Africa?

Jessica:
Don’t underestimate the chaos that comes with planning across borders, unreliable vendors, or family expectations. You’re not weak for needing help. You're smart for protecting your joy