Tuesday, April 8, 2014

8 questions to ask when choosing a Wedding Planner

Here are 8 questions that will help you find the right planner for your wedding. Not all clients are the same, so not all planners are right for everyone. Whether you need a day of coordinator or someone to aid you along the way, hopefully this list will help you narrow down your options.

8 questions to ask a wedding planner // Take the Cake Event Planning

1. Who will be representing your company on my wedding day?
Will it be the person you are meeting with? The person you have worked with during the planning process? An intern? Every company is different, so be sure you know what you are getting.

2. How would you describe your planning process in 1 sentence?
The answer to this question can be very telling about their planning style. If they say "I'll advise you on your decisions so you are sure to make the right ones", but you are very hands on and already have many vendors lined up this might not be the right planner. If they say "I'll make your day beautiful", but you really just want to make sure you stick to your timeline, this might not be the right planner. This one question isn't the end all be all, but it can give you a concise idea of their methods and priorities.

3. How many weddings do you do a weekend?
Will they be running to another wedding right after your rehearsal? Will they be rushing to your wedding after another rehearsal? Many planners are great at scheduling weddings so they can do many in a week, but it is good to ask exactly how busy they will be.

4. Detailed list of package inclusions.
Most planners should provide you with a detailed list of exactly what each package includes. Number of in person meetings, phone correspondence, hours on wedding day, etc.

5. Referrals from past clients.
Check out reviews on sites like WeddingWire before your meeting. If reviews are less than stellar or there are only a couple ask if they have any feedback from previous clients. Many clients send thank you cards and photos that planners can't easily post online, but are happy to share with potential clients. 

6. Referrals from past vendors.
Past clients are a great source of info, but past vendors really see what goes on behind the scenes. Ask if you can contact any previous vendors the planner has worked with. Vendors will give their honest opinion on how the planner is to work with. 

7. What is their wedding day schedule?
When will you arrive? When will you leave? Will someone be with the wedding couple to ensure they are on time? Some planners offer a set amount of hours and others just stay until they are no longer needed.

8. What is the most bridezilla thing to ever happen?
The answer to this question can be very telling about a planners professionalism and tact. The approach to the story can tell you a lot about the planner's respect for their clients, but the story itself can give you a window into how the planner deals with crisis. Every planner with experience has had a situation with a difficult client. Their means to resolving the issues is where you really want to pay attention.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a planner is how they make you feel. Do you feel comfortable? More stressed? Pressured? Not fancy enough? Too fancy? No matter what service you are booking them for, you will have to spend a lot of time working with them, so be sure you mesh well. If you just aren't feeling them, then they probably aren't the right person for you.

Additional Links
Take the Cake Event Planning

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