Your relationship with your wedding planner has to feel right from the word go. You have to trust them to turn your wedding vision into a reality, without leaving you stressed or feeling like you are not in control.
When choosing your planner, there are questions that you must ask to ensure that they are able co-ordinate your wedding with the level of service and decorum you expect.
Below I have set out the following list of questions that are a must in choosing your wedding planner.
How many weddings have they planned and can they provide testimonials and images from these weddings?
A good wedding planner will always have testimonials and images from previous clients at hand so they can prove that they have the skills, professionalism and experience to back up their wedding expertise.
Are they planning any other weddings on the same day or weekend? Unless your planner is part of a large team or company who are capable of handling two weddings on the same day, they should not be involved in any other weddings that are the same day as yours. You are paying for their undivided attention on your wedding day, and that is what you should get!
Are they familiar with your venue? An experienced wedding planner will usually have a good knowledge of wedding venues in their area, unless it is extremely unusual. If your planner has worked at the venue before, it can make communication with venue staff a much easier process.
Does they understand your vision? You will probably have a vision in your head about how your wedding will look, but not always the knowledge on how to create it! Your wedding planning should take the time to learn about you as an individual, and about your vision. A good wedding planner will listen to you and explain how they have interpreted your vision and how they will make it a reality.
Can they organise and co-ordinate other suppliers? You might want your planner to organise everything from start to finish, or you may have already booked suppliers and simply want her to co-ordinate them in the run up to, and on your wedding day. Either way your planner should be able to take care of this for you. If they have a good knowledge of the industry your planner will be able to source the best suppliers for your style and budget.
How often should I expect communication with my wedding planner? At the beginning of the planning process you should expect several meeting and communications from your planner as you organise all of the main parts of your day for example venue, catering etc. From then on your planner should be in regular contact with you, keeping you up to date on their progress. In the days leading up to your wedding, your planner should be in constant contact with you, ensuring that you are prepared and that everything is in place to allow the day to run smoothly.
Will they be there on the day? If you want your wedding planner to be there on the big day then there should be no problem with this. A good planner will be there from first thing in the morning, until the celebrations are in full swing later that night. They should have a discrete presence throughout the day and be close at hand should you need them.
What will happen if for any reason my planner can't come to the wedding? From the beginning your planner should make it clear if they cannot attend your wedding. However if unexpected circumstances means that they cannot attend, a contingency plan must be in place. They should have a full brief, detailed running order for the day, and supplier contact details on hand to pass over to a colleague or member of their team in case the unexpected happens.
How much will it cost and when do I pay my wedding planner? Wedding planners will all offer you their own individual pricing structure, whether is it a flat fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the total bill. Make sure that you understand exactly what they are charging you for, and if there will be any hidden costs.
Most planners will ask for a deposit up front when you book their services. This is usually about 20% and will be used to secure other suppliers and purchase any bespoke items. If they are charging an hourly rate the balance is likely not to be due until after the wedding. If it is a flat fee or a percentage the balance will usually be due before your wedding so be prepared to pay for this up front.
Comments