Preparing for your wedding is both exciting and stressful.
Some couples prefer to do all of the planning themselves, while others may hope
to delegate some (or all) of the duties to someone who specializes in wedding
planning. Find out what questions to ask a wedding planner so you can hire the
right person for your big day.
Who Is a Wedding Planner?
A wedding planner is a professional who oversees all aspects
of a couple's wedding day.
These planners get into the nitty-gritty both before and
during the wedding day, in addition to assisting couples in deciding on their
overall vision, budget, and event design preferences. This includes adequately
preparing to prevent things from going wrong as well as being able to solve
problems if an issue arises despite the best-laid plans.
The couple, as well as their bridesmaids, groomsmen,
parents, and guests, can relax and enjoy their wedding by hiring a wedding
planner. They can relax knowing that the wedding planner is working hard behind
the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
What Does a Wedding Planner Do?
Wedding planners take precautions to ensure that complex
events run smoothly. Here are just a few of the things potential wedding planners
do to help happy couples plan their big day:
Organizes with vendors: Your wedding planner will meet with
florists, caterers, DJs, and other vendors to ensure that they have everything
they need to ensure that your day runs as smoothly as possible. You are welcome
to attend these wedding vendor meetings as well, but you can leave it in the
hands of your planner as long as they have a proven track record of success in
coordinating events like yours.
Helps to design your vision: Some people hire wedding
planners before deciding on a venue. In such cases, wedding planners can assist
you in creating a vision for your special day from the ground up. It's often a
good idea to hire a planner who has experience organizing events similar to the
one you're planning. If you want to have a destination wedding, for example,
hire a wedding planner who specializes in them.
Setup and cleanup are organized: Wedding planners assist
with setup before the ceremony and tear down after the reception. This includes
preparing all of the centerpieces and floral arrangements, as well as clearing
out the space of your rental to make it look as good as new in the time
allotted by the wedding venue.
Prepares for the big day: In general, certified wedding
planners are there to handle every logistical detail so that you, your
soon-to-be spouse, and your wedding party can enjoy your day stress-free. They
will anticipate every potential hiccup in the run-up to your wedding date so
that everything runs smoothly.
Solves real-time issues: Things may go wrong on the day of
your wedding, but a wedding planner can fix them quickly. Perhaps rain
threatens your outdoor ceremony plans, or a vendor cancels. Your planner will
be on-site with a backup plan ready for any problem that may arise.
Is a Wedding Planner Necessary?
Wedding planning can be a full-time job, so it's no surprise
that there's a thriving industry for professional wedding planners.
Nonetheless, every couple has their own preferences. You may be a natural
planner or only want to host a small event, in which case you could probably
coordinate your wedding with the help of your friends.
If you're planning a wedding with a guest list in the
hundreds, consider hiring an outside planner. Remember that depending on your
needs and desires as a couple, you can choose a planner who will be more or
less hands-on. Some will assist you in planning everything from RSVP cards to
your honeymoon, whereas others will only organize the day of the event.
Questions to Ask a Wedding Planner
You'll need to vet potential wedding coordinators as you
begin your personal wedding planning process. In order to choose the best
wedding planner for you and your fiancé or fiancée, inquire about the following
topics:
Budget: Discuss with potential candidates whether they can
work within the wedding budget you provide. Furthermore, see if they can
provide any insight into cutting wedding costs while maintaining the same
standards you're hoping for on your big day.
Compensation: Inquire about how each wedding planner prefers
to be paid. Some may require a down payment up front, installments along the
way, and a final payment after your wedding weekend is over. Others may simply
charge a flat fee at a specific point in the process. Make sure to review any
contracts they provide in order to clarify expectations.
Vendors' network: Some wedding planners will allow you to
select whichever vendors you want, while others may have a list of preferred
vendors from which you can select. Chances are, they'll have a large network of
people they've worked with in the past that you can choose from. Inquire about
who they know and how they can assist you in meeting your needs and
expectations.
Past experience: Inquire with each wedding planner you meet
about the types of wedding receptions and ceremonies they've previously
planned. See if they can provide you with references to contact about their
services. Find someone who has planned a similar event to the one you want for
yourself.
Services offered: Discuss the scope of work you
anticipate from your wedding planner. Maybe you want full-service planning for
everything from the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner to the ceremony,
reception, and honeymoon. Perhaps you simply want a day-of coordinator with
whom you can begin working closer to the event. To narrow down who you want to
plan your wedding, inquire about the services each candidate provides.
