10 Things You Need to Ask Your Potential Wedding Planner
WEDDING PLANNERS ARE NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Your wedding day is extremely personal to you and it is likely if you’ve chosen to hire a wedding planner, you are probably looking for someone you feel has the skills and experience to get the job done right. As well as wanting to feel that they understand your vision for your wedding day it’s also going to be important to find someone you quite like, as you will be speaking to them a lot! Whether you would like support with your planning from start to finish or would just like a professional to coordinate the wedding day itself, I have compiled a list of questions you may want to ask your potential wedding planner, before hiring them.
Image by The Unbridled
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
Wedding planners often require a minimum budget to work with when it comes to a full planning option, make sure the planner you are enquiring with is within your budget range. Some planners charge a fixed fee whereas others charge a percentage of your wedding budget.
I would advise setting aside 10 - 15% of your wedding budget for full planning or at least £1000 for on the day coordination.
This is a good time to also ask about charges that may not be included, perhaps for travel, accommodation or additional admin fees. Ensure you receive a contract with all included services detailed in writing and read it thoroughly.
HOW DO You Know What I Want?
Your potential wedding planner should listen to your plans or ideas and build from them, be sure to look at previous weddings and editorials they have been involved in and have a look across their social media channels and website. Most planners will have their own style, and some even specialise in a particular aesthetic.
Make sure you are comfortable in saying no to any ideas you are not certain of or requesting changes throughout the process. Be as clear as possible from the offset and let them know what sort of things you do and don’t like - This will ensure the wedding planner will get your vision completely.
Do you work with preferred suppliers?
A good wedding planner will have contacts for all budgets and styles, you may even get a deal or discount for booking via them! This is also a good time to ask how you will be involved in the supplier selection process, if you wish to be, as this can vary between professionals. Remember a planner knows who is good, who’s reliable and who will ultimately fulfil your needs, so do trust in them.
How many weddings will you be planning at one time?
This is important to ask as you want to ensure you are receiving the service you are paying for, an experienced planner will rarely juggle more than 10 weddings at once if they are a small team. Ask how many weddings they are planning for the month of your wedding date, this will give you an idea as to how busy, and how dedicated to you, they will be in the direct run up to your big day.
How much time do you need to plan our wedding?
This is a rather broad question and of course will depend on the type of celebration you are wanting, however, you need to make sure your wedding is given the time it deserves. Some wedding planners will only take on new bookings with over 12 months to plan while others will be happy to take on a wedding at short notice, if this is the case make sure to enquire about your planner’s current workload. I would advise that you book your wedding planner as early as possible to ensure a stress-free planning process for you both!
Do you work alone or with a team?
Dependant on how big and extravagant you are thinking your planner may need a team of professionals alongside them. If they are using assistants you might want to ask who they are and what experience they have for peace of mind.
Can you help us stick to our budget?
This is an extremely important question and if the answer is anything other than a resounding yes, run! A wedding planner worth investing in is one that is money savvy and can help you get the most bang for your buck, while staying within budget where possible.
How can we communicate with you?
As your wedding nears expect to be in constant communication with your planner, probably more than your Bestie! You need to know the best way to contact them and if they prefer to be called, emailed, Whatsapped, texted, or all of the above.
How many meetings can we expect to have?
This is dependant on the size of your wedding and where you are based, where the planner is based and where your wedding is due to happen, but they should be able to give you an idea on how the planning process will go. Some wedding planners will be in constant contact with details along the way while others will wait and fill you in on everything at once - There is no right or wrong way, consider what will work best for you.
Can WE see some referrals?
A professional and experienced wedding planner will be able to show you a portfolio and have some references, not only from previous couples but from other wedding industry professionals. Ask them how long they have been in the business and more importantly, how many weddings of your size and budget they have undertaken.
As you can see hiring a wedding planner isn’t as easy as choosing someone who’s Instagram looks appealing, your wedding day is a pretty big deal and not every planner is suited to every couple.
If you are looking for a wedding planner or a wedding day coordinator, I would love to hear about your vision for your special day, maybe we are a perfect match!