Three Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Planner for You

There is a reason I don’t have a standard recommended vendor list that I send out to all my couples. Business, in general, is not one size fits all – even if two businesses are offering you virtually the same service. The easy example to look at in this situation is photography. Two photographers may offer 8-hours of wedding coverage, and a 1-hour engagement shoot for the same cost, but I can tell you with certainty, not even naming two businesses specifically, that you will not receive the same product from both photographers. Why is that? Well, because they are different people with different styles, different personalities, different creative minds. It’s the beauty of owning your own business, you can make it whatever you want it to be to separate yourself from another business even if, on paper, you are offering the same thing. It’s also the beauty of being a customer, you get to choose which businesses you want to work with who are going to best provide you with the services you desire. With this in mind, wedding planners are no exception, we just showcase our “art” in a different way than photographers do. 

A planner is going to be one of those vendors who you spend a lot of time with throughout your planning journey, whether that is 5 weeks, 5 months or 2 years, so it is important that you find the right wedding planner for you! It is always a good idea to do your research and have a consultation (phone call, Zoom meeting, or in person meeting) before booking. This consultation is a great time to make sure you are asking questions if you have anything you want to address and clarify expectations right out of the gate. During this inquiry process, my 3 biggest tips to help make sure you are choosing the right planner for you are…

1. Personality – This is a big one because if your personality and the personality of your wedding planner don’t at least share some common ground, then that could potentially lessen the amount of enjoyment you get out of the planning process. You want to know that the person who you are working so closely with for so long is going to understand you and your desires/vision. You want someone who fills in the gaps where you need it (similar to the life partner you are choosing), but who also maybe has the same sense of humor as you, the same style as you, the same interests. I love being able to connect with my clients on a more personal level. This is a very individualized process, so although I try to keep most things professional, I also want you to feel like you can confide in me as if we have been friends for many years. Bring it on, baby!
2. Service Scope – What level of support does your planner offer? It is vital to get these questions answered and expectations set early on in the process for everyone’s peace of mind and understanding. Some good questions to ask are things like: when do services actually start? How many times can you expect to meet prior to the wedding day (whether that be phone call, Zoom call or in person)? How long is the wedding planner expecting to be present on your wedding day? Are they planning to run your rehearsal the day or two before the wedding? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide if they are going to be the right person to fulfill the goals you have for wanting to hire a wedding planner in the first place.
3. Planning process – This is another big one to understand prior to contract signing! The wedding planner should be able to competently explain their planning process and how they go about guiding you through your planning journey. Once they explain that process you will need to make the decision for yourself if how their brain works meshes well with how your brain works and processes information. Understanding this from the get-go is going to make your journey more enjoyable and less stressful because you will know what to expect, what is supposed to happen next, and what tasks need to be prioritized over others. Communication is key in any great relationship – professional or personal!

Planning a wedding can seem daunting and overwhelming, but with the right team and proper support, believe it or not, it can actually be fun! Keep in mind, this overall concept goes both ways. Just like you want to ensure you are working with the right vendors for you, the vendor you are “interviewing” also wants to make sure you are the right client for them. When there is mutual respect and trust in any good relationship that is when the magic happens, and often times when friendships form that will last even when the planning is done.

I hope this helps you feel confident in the decision-making process when it comes to choosing your wedding planner. In the end, remember that behind every small business is a very real person trying to make this the best possible experience for each of their clients, so kindness goes a long way. Also, if you decide to go in a different direction it is always a nice gesture to let the other vendors who were contenders know that so they can properly close your inquiry tab.

And if you need more convincing that a wedding planner is going to be a great investment in your planning process, check out these other blog posts…

Stories that Prove Wedding Planners are Magic

Invaluable Tasks a Good Wedding Coordinator Will Perform

Venue Coordinator vs. Wedding Coordinator