@daniloandsharon, @marioncophotography
Planning a wedding is a big responsibility and a lot of work. Fortunately, wedding planners exist! With an experienced professional by your side, everything seems less complicated, stressful, and chaotic. However, finding your dream team is not a one-minute task. It requires time, patience, and certain knowledge. So, how do you decide what wedding planner is right for you? Find the answers below.
Take a peek at the planner's website and portfolio
Checking out the planner’s website and portfolio is super important! By doing so, you’ll get a clear idea of the vision and philosophy of the brand. Some professionals are into creating opulent fairytale-like celebrations, while others prefer something modern and minimalistic. If you already know what your wedding should look like, make sure to double-check that the prospective planner has already executed weddings with a similar feel.
Read about their experience
How long have they been in the business? A professional with years of experience knows all the nuances of the industry, has right industry connections and works with reliable vendors. In case an unexpected problem occurs, such an expert always has either a backup plan in mind or someone they can ask for help. When planning a wedding, you want everything to feel seamless and stress-free, right?
Check the reviews
The next step is reading the reviews. Typically, they are posted on the planner’s website. Most likely, you’ll find only positive ones there. But to have a bigger picture, you’ll have to look up negative comments too. Does your prospective planner have a weak side? By reading both positive and negative reviews, you’ll get a better idea of what to expect from the planner. You can also try to reach out to their previous clients personally. Ask them to share their experience working with the planner. And if you are too shy, read our interviews with real brides. You might find great advice there!
@marioncophotography, @dosmasenlamesa
Discuss budget
Before arranging a meet-up with your prospective wedding planner, contact them to make sure they fit your budget. What is the planner’s pricing model? What packages do they offer? If their rates are too high for you, continue searching for other options. If you are fine with the prices - great! Meet the planner and discuss everything in more detail.
Comfort is the key
A wedding planner is who you’ll communicate with the most during the entire wedding planning process. When first meeting your prospective planner, ask yourself whether you are comfortable around them. If you feel like something is off and the communication doesn’t go as expected, this might not be "your person." Trust your gut!
@marioncophotography, @newhite_bridal
Ask questions
Yes, even if you think they are too obvious or sound silly. Ask your prospective wedding planner everything you want to know about working with them. What does the contract look like? Are there any additional fees? How many meetings will you have? Also, ask the planner to tell you a little bit more about the weddings they’ve already managed. Pay attention to what the planner focuses on the most. Is it numbers, budget optimization, creative solutions, or something else? This way, you’ll understand whether you like the planner's approach or not.
Don’t make the decision right away
Don’t hurry up to make a decision. Meet with at least three prospective wedding planners! If they all are great, and you struggle to choose only one, take a piece of paper and make a list of strong and weak points of each pro. This technique will help you decide.
