How Do I Find a Good Wedding Planner?

If you’re going to spend the money on a wedding planner, obviously you want to make sure you have the right one.  You want someone who will do all the things you need them to do, and do them right.  What you really need is a wedding master.

If you have no idea where to start looking, contact wedding stores and ask for recommendations.  However, once you do start looking for wedding planners, how do you know you have the right one?

• If you don’t feel comfortable with them from the start, that probably won’t change later on, either.  You’ll be spending a lot of time together, so it’s best to find someone you get along with. 

• Do they seem excited when you’re talking about your wedding day?  If they can’t get into the “spirit of things” and act like it’s just another day, you might want to talk to a different wedding planner. 

• Are they willing to stick to your budget?  Some wedding planners have a tendency to push for bigger and better rather than what you can afford.  If you have a strict budget, you want to make sure you hire a wedding planner who’s willing to commit to it. 

• Do they get along well with the vendors in your area for caterers, wedding photographers, venues, etc?  One of the major pluses to hiring a wedding planner is that many of them can get discounts through friendly vendors – which means more for your dollar.  If they don’t get along with the vendors, however, the chances of those discounts drop dramatically. 

• Do they seem like they’d try to take over, or are they willing to discuss points with you?  If you want someone to do it all without you getting involved, the first type of wedding planner is best.  However, most brides, no matter how little time they have, want some involvement.

A good wedding planner will offer advice and opinions; they’ll look after all the arrangements.  They’ll be your creative partner and help you prioritize.  What they won’t do is take over, bully or argue when you put your foot down.  They’re there to make your wedding day run smoothly, free of stress, and a good one will do just that.