Just to add my views here about using or not using wedding planners etc. and if so an individual or a company.
We found our planner in Rome via the British Consulate website which was probably a bit hit and miss, though we did make sure she was certified (or whatever you call it!) and she was absolutely brilliant. She did all the paperwork, arranged everything using local suppliers for flowers, hair, horse and carriage, the lot. When something didn't work out, she gave us alternative suggestions. She e-mailed us with updates all the time, met with us whenever we wanted and for as long as we wanted; when we said we had chosen the venue we wanted although she had never worked with them before she immediately made contact with them and set everything up exactly as we wanted; she was with me on the morning of the wedding to soothe bridal nerves and to make sure I was happy and relaxed, did all the translation at the ceremony, stayed with us and the photographer to do things like arrange my dress, came to the venue to make sure everything was to our satisfaction ... I could go on!!
In short, she was a local Italian woman, not a company, had excellent local contacts, made sure everything was exactly as we wanted, and didn't cost the earth (we are just ordinary people not rich superstars and I never thought we would be able to afford a wedding planner!). After it was all over she kept in touch to let us know where things were up to with the photos etc.
So I would always say do check people out but don't automatically assume that companies do it best.
If anyone wants her contact details I am more than happy to give them if you PM me, and obviously would highly recommend her.
The issue about photos ... all I can say is that we wanted to marry in Rome because we love the place and we wanted our photos to be of Rome as well as of us. So yes we did have them taken at 'touristy' places, but we had a brilliant photographer who made sure that the place was just the backdrop for us - we were the prominent part of the photo. He came with an assistant so there was never a problem about anyone stealing from him as I firmly believe the assistant (and our wedding planner!) would have laid them out flat! He was obviously used to dealing with that kind of issue as well as with clearing sites of tourists so the photos look like we were all alone by the Trevi Fountain, for example! They are so unusual and beautifully crafted. The fact that there were a lot of people round the sites we had photos taken only added to the day for us - we are on dozens of Japanese and American holiday snaps! Everywhere we went complete strangers wished us well, clapped, sang at us - I will never forget it.
So, each to their own, but for me if you marry in a wonderful place like Italy the photos need to capture the place too. Photos of smiling wedding guests, no matter how nice, can be taken anywhere!
I wish I could do it all again!!!
