What to Ask Your Wedding Planner Before You Hire Them
Photographer: Terrie Nelson
We’re sure it comes as no surprise that wedding planning can be quite stressful. Between choosing your wedding venue, finding the perfect caterer, and dress shopping, wedding planning is not for the faint of heart. Hiring a wedding planner, however, can lighten the load and help take a lot of the stress off of you and your partner. Before you dot your I’s and cross your T’s, though, it’s important to hire the right wedding planner for you. So, here are several questions you should ask a potential wedding planner before you hire them.
What is the Planning & Design Process Like?
As with any vendor, each wedding planner has a different style - some prefer to be more collaborative while others prefer to take the reins. A mismatch of styles could result in even more frustration and delays so be sure you and your potential wedding planner are on the same planning & design process page.
What Other Weddings Have They Planned/Produced at a Similar Price?
Even though a planner can work within your budget, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can meet your expectations. Asking a potential wedding planner if they’ve worked a wedding with a similar budget can help you determine if they can not only meet but exceed your expectations.
Is Their Team Big or Small?
Knowing how many people work with a wedding planner can help with expectations of who you can turn to with specific questions. For example, will you be primarily interacting with the owner/lead planner? Their assistant? Someone else? It also helps minimize potential miscommunication throughout the planning process.
What Services Are Included?
Most wedding planners have different packages & tiers based on what you are looking for. For example, some couples prefer only day-of coordination while others hire a wedding planner as soon as they’re engaged. Before you decide on a wedding planner, ensure you know exactly what services you are getting with your preferred package. That way, you won’t be surprised or disappointed down the road.
What is Their Communication Style?
This is a super important question to ask as everyone’s communication style is different. Be sure to ask how they organize details, their review process, payments, communication methods (i.e. texting vs emailing), and what’s expected on your end. A mismatch in communication styles can turn to frustration and confusion!
What is Your Typical Availability?
Because we all want to be respectful of others, it’s important to know when your wedding planner is available. Do they have specific office hours? Are they only available on certain days? How long does it typically take them to respond to questions or concerns? Make sure you and your wedding planner are in sync with when you both are available so you are respectful of each other’s time.
Who is Responsible for What?
Wedding planners - like anyone, really - are not mind readers. Although you might’ve mentioned wanting something to your partner, don’t forget to also mention that to your wedding planner! Be sure to ask any potential vendors if they have a checklist of things they take care of or how they handle any special requests.
What is The Backup Plan?
As with any event, having a backup plan is essential when it comes to planning your big day. No one wants to wake up on their wedding day to a sky full of rain clouds without a backup plan. Make sure to discuss this with your wedding planner and have several backup plans in place to alleviate stress on the big day!
What is the Tipping Guide for Vendors?
While most vendors have their own gratuity processes, it’s helpful to talk with your wedding planner about any nuances with certain vendors. For example, is Venmo okay to use? Or do they prefer cash? Knowing this beforehand is just another way to minimize extra stress!