So you’ve decided to hire a wedding planner to help organise your big day. There are many great reasons to do this, and you are certainly not alone! More and more couples these days are hiring a professional to help plan their wedding, in recognition of the amount of time and effort that it takes to put together an event of this size. This, combined with our busy lives, makes hiring a wedding planner a good choice. Additionally, professional wedding planners often have access to special deals with vendors, unique suppliers, and of course original ideas.
Because planning your wedding is normally a one-time event, hiring a wedding planner is probably something you have not done before. How then, do you know how to choose the right wedding planner for you? Take a look at this essential information and advice for what you need to know!
Not All Wedding Planners Offer the Same Service
The first thing you need to be aware of is that not all wedding planners are the same, and they don’t all offer the same set of services. Some planners are more focussed on the big picture and overall design of the event, while others work on the details and coordination on the ground. There is, of course, some degree of overlap between these groups. When meeting with potential wedding planners, be sure to ask them what kind of services they provide and whether they have different options in terms of service packages.
Use Your Network
One of the greatest resources you have to draw on in so many situations is your network of family, friends and colleagues. Finding a great wedding planner is no exception: you may be surprised by the information you could find if you ask your contacts for recommendations. Ask your friends, work colleagues, neighbours, anyone you know who was married in the last few years, whether they used a wedding planner and if so if they would recommend them. Ask others in your network if they may know someone who would have a recommendation. Personal advice and recommendations are some of the best ways to find someone who will work well for you.
Look Them Up Online
If you have a few wedding planners in mind before you make a final decision be sure to do your research on them online. Any professional wedding planner should have a website, social media presence, and most likely an online portfolio and a blog. Check all of these carefully to see if they will be a good fit for you, looking at style, point of view, and track record. You can also check for testimonials and reviews online to verify that previous clients have had a great experience. Remember that when you get close to choosing a wedding planner, you may also ask them to provide contact details of previous clients how can give them a reference – this is fairly standard practice in the industry.
Have a Face to Face Meeting
Before making a final decision on hiring a particular wedding planner, make sure to meet with them in person. Here will be your opportunity to see if your personalities click (more on this below), assess their professionalism, and ask them for their thoughts and ideas for your wedding. Of course, you cannot expect them to have a fully fleshed-out plan for your special day, but they should be able to throw out some ideas which will give you a sense of their creativity and the level they are operating at.
This is also a good test of whether their style is compatible with your needs. For example, if you are looking for a traditional, classic style wedding, and they suggest decorations in a sequin fabric, you will know that they may not be the right planner for you! Be prepared and head to your meeting with a list of questions for your potential wedding planner such as the services they offer, their availability on your wedding date, and their credentials.
Do You Get Along?
This may be an element that you overlook in this process: after all, their skills, experience and professionalism are all that matter, right? Wrong. Your wedding planner is someone that you will be working with very closely and at an extremely stressful time, so it is absolutely critical that you get along well as people. If you simply don’t click or connect on a personal level, this will make the whole process extremely challenging. When you meet in person, take a step back and assess whether you like them as a person and whether you think will get along even through the most stressful moments of wedding preparations.
Finding the right wedding planner can make a world of difference to having the wedding day of your dreams. Follow this advice to make sure you choose the planner who is right for you!