First of all, being a wedding planner here in The Netherlands is not as common as it is in the States. But it’s starting to settle down in the market and according to the CBS (Central Bureau for the Statistics) there will still be 70.000 marriages this year here in Holland! It’s all about the approach. Lots of people still think that hiring a wedding planner is for the rich. It’s a luxury they can not afford. But it’s not anymore. Couples actually don’t know what kind of benefits a wedding planner can give them.

We have coupled with Inge Bergakker of Seeds of Love to give you 5 reasons why you should consider hiring a wedding planner:

1. They save you time

Planning weddings takes enormous amount of time.  In fact the hours can count up to over 200 hours just planning this special day. A good wedding planner will save you time and energy by doing the research of the best vendors, taking care of most of the details and has various creative ideas to make your wedding special and amazing.

2. They save money

Organizing a wedding can be extremely expensive. Couples can save a great deal of money by hiring a wedding planner because they provide so much business to vendors that they are often able to negotiate discounts for their clients. Wedding planners also help couples set their budgets and help them sticking to it.

3. Offers you advice

Wedding planners can also help couples with some good advice. They have planned numerous weddings and by experience know exactly what works and what doesn’t. Wedding etiquettes for example have no secrets at all to them. Furthermore, wedding planners are able to recommend the best vendors because this is based on their personal experience.

4. Creates schedules

Because of the fact that there are so many events leading up to the big day, wedding planners make detailed itineraries for all involved (including the vendors) and making sure that everything happens on time.

5. Handles crisis

Whether we like it or not, most big events involve crisis. For example the bakery doesn’t deliver the wedding cake on time or the flower girl throws a tantrum? Or how about making sure that the guest who had a little too much to drink departs safely? Wedding planners know how to handle all unforeseen circumstances and take care of any crisis.

If the above has convinced you that hiring a wedding planner definitely has its benefits, then contact Inge Bergakker and she’ll make sure you’ll have a wedding every girl deserves and dreams of. She creates weddings with a perfect balance between style and grace but also with pure elegance and romantic details. The aim is to create truly personal and distinctive weddings and always to exceed the expectations. Partial help, advice or being the Day Of Coordinator is also one of the services she provides.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Stylish. Elegant. Professional.

What are your most popular products or services?
I will help clients save time, stress and money. I’ll oversee the proceedings and generally ensure that the day runs smoothly, leaving them safe in the knowledge that everything will be managed professionally.

People may be surprised to know…
that Seeds of Love has an office in Utrecht but operates throughout the country!

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My husband! He never stopped believing in my creative thinking and organizing skills. He encouraged me to combine these qualities and to follow my dreams!

How do you spend your free time?
Cooking, reading, listening to music… but most of all spending quality time with my family!

What is your indulgence?
Herbal teas and sushi!

You can also contact Inge on twitter or follow her updates on her blog.

On June the 7th, the women of CRAVEamsterdam came together  again to
celebrate the prelaunch of the very first CRAVEamsterdam guide – the
most unique and stylish guidebook for Amsterdam living. It is a
celebration of women entreprenesses that showcases some of the most
creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout our city. In
the typical CRAVE fashion, this meant a glam gathering of savvy women.
With the help of Amsterdam’s coffee@last providing us with a
fantastic venue, the best coffee in town, tea and scrumptious
minicakes, the guests were entertained.

Our very own Athalie Stegeman presented the ways you can boost your
business using the CRAVEamsterdam guide and of course, the platform of
entrepreneurs we created. As the evening wound down, our ambassadors
Isrid van Geuns and Athalie Stegeman presented the CRAVEamsterdam‘s
guide cover and of course the first finished spreads of the book,
framed and ready to hang on your personal wall of fame. Six of the
women present got to see their pages in advance. We extend a big thank
you to Villa Grafica for helping us with the print and design of the
PR materials present and for their great help with printing the
spreads.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the CRAVE Prelaunch a
success, and to all the CRAVEamsterdam women who came out to see us
and have some fun!

Check out the photo gallery, compliments of Ronny Rozenberg and
Cristina Stoian, picturing the night in a special way: