Elegant Beginnings Weddings and Events

Questions for a Wedding Planner

Should you hire a wedding planner or are you preparing to do it all yourself? Most busy working brides today need to the help of a professional planner - for all or part of their weddings.  A professional wedding planner's advice and expertise can save time, money and sanity so don't dismiss the idea out of hand.

When you meet with a wedding planner to talk about how much or how little you need him/her to do for your wedding, here are six key questions you should ask to guide that informational meeting.

1.  Here the vendors and venues I am considering using.   Do you know anything about them? Who are your favorites and why?  

The planner can often give you some good feedback about particular vendors and /or steer you away from potential trouble.

2.  How many weddings of my size have you done?

If you are planning on a small intimate gathering and the planner specializes in huge society weddings, you two may not be a good match.

3.  If I hire you for my wedding, what is your role and what is mine?

It is a good idea to have charity around who is responsible for what and in a tight situation, who has the final say.  Do you need to have the planner clear every little detail with you or can he/she make decisions based on early parameters you two have established?

4.  How many weddings do you do each month?  Do you have enough staff to cover all weddings you book?

You don't want to be one of a multitude in June if the planner doesn't have the staff to handle all of its commitments.

5.  Ask for a client and vendor list and ask if you may call them for references.

6.  Ask for an explanation of how he/she charges.  Is there a flat rate, a sliding scale, extra charges for add on's?

7.  Do you belong to any professional organizations?

Associations such as Weddings Beautiful Worldwide have helped increased the value, and raise the professional standards of wedding planners everywhere.

The goal of all good wedding planners is to save you time and ...and most importantly for you to enjoy one perfect day!