How to Find a Wedding Planner: Top Tips and Advice
Wedding planning can be challenging. There’s so much to do before the wedding date. You just want your dream wedding but don’t know how to execute the wedding planning process.
Wedding planners can relieve some of that stress. They will work with you to solidify your vision for your wedding day, guarantee you get the most possible from your wedding budget, and ensure that your big day goes perfectly.
If you choose to work with a wedding planner, it’ll be one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your wedding. This person will play a massive role in bringing your wedding to life, so you need someone you feel confident and comfortable with to do the job.
Here’s not just how to find a wedding planner but how to find a good wedding planner.
What You Will Learn
Do You Need a Wedding Planner?
Before diving into how to find wedding planner options and whether you need one at all, we recommend answering these questions.
Can your budget afford it?
If you’re working with a small wedding budget, you may not want to opt for a wedding planner. If you have to choose between an incredible DJ and a planner, you might decide that the former is a better money-spent option.
How well do you know your venue and vendors?
Suppose you know your wedding venue inside and out (maybe your workplace,religious institution, or even a friend or family member’s backyard) and most or all of your vendors. In that case, you may not need to rely much on a wedding planner’s expertise. However, a wedding planner’s expertise can be invaluable if you’re entirely new to all of the above or have a destination wedding in a locale you’ve never visited.
Do you want to avoid the stress of wedding planning?
Lastly, the best part of working with a wedding planner is that you don’t have to plan yourself. It’s something taken off your plate so you can enjoy this season of your life to the fullest rather than spend it stressing over napkin rings and dress fittings.
What Does a Wedding Planner Do?
So, what can a wedding planner help you with?
Here are just a few basic tasks they’ll usually help with, though every planner’s suite of services may differ.
- Help you pick a theme or vision for your wedding
- Advise on the correct budget for your vision
- Help you find and pick venues and vendors that align with your budget and vision
- Use their connections to get you better deals and vendor contracts
- Coordinate with vendors to ensure all planning and day-of events go smoothly
- Put together an itinerary for the day-of, and manage all logistics
- Be present during wedding events and on the day-of, to ensure everything goes as it should
What About Wedding Coordinators?
It’s worth noting that you may find some wedding planning professionals billing themselves as wedding coordinators rather than wedding planners. Technically, a wedding coordinator helps coordinate the actual wedding event itself, which is closer to the big day. In contrast, a wedding planner helps you with wedding planning right from the very beginning, as soon as you settle on a wedding date.
However, despite the technical differences, some may use these terms interchangeably. Be sure to ask any potential wedding planners you’re considering about their range of services.
How to Find a Wedding Coordinator and Planner
So you’ve decided you want to work with a wedding planner. How do you find the right wedding planner for you?
Do a quick online search, and you’ll likely encounter myriad wedding planners in your area. However, you don’t want to just choose the first wedding planner you come across or the first one you see that fits your budget.
Planning weddings takes skill and connections (so, you probably don’t want to trust that random family member who volunteered to do it can do it), and finding the perfect wedding planner for your unique needs is crucial.
When finding a wedding planner, you can look online for planners in your area but always read their reviews. Have their past clients historically always absolutely loved their weddings? That’s a good sign.
Additionally, ask for referrals. Recently married acquaintances may be able to provide insight, but so can any vendors you may have already chosen.
Once you’ve identified a few potential planners, it’s time to reach out, get more details, and begin interviewing wedding planners.
Suggested Read: Checklist for a Wedding Coordinator
What to Look for in a Wedding Planner
Here are just a few things you’ll want to look for and ask about during the interview process to find the perfect planner for your needs.
- Does the planner offer full-service planning or more limited services?
- Do they charge a flat fee, by the hour, or a mix of both?
- Will they be present for the ceremony or both the ceremony and wedding reception?
- Do they have experience working with weddings like yours (in size, theme, location, etc.)?
- How do they communicate with you, and how are they available if you have questions?
How to Choose Wedding Planner FAQs
How much does a wedding planner cost?
When deciding how to pick a wedding planner, you must consider cost first and foremost. A wedding planner will typically charge several thousand dollars for their services.
How do you know how to choose a wedding planner?
If you’re facing a bit of decision paralysis when picking a wedding planner, go for the planner that fits within your budget, has experience working with weddings like yours, and that you feel confident can handle the job.
Should I let my family members plan my wedding?
If you trust them and know what they’re doing, sometimes, well-meaning family members often volunteer to plan loved ones’ weddings. However, remember just how difficult and time-consuming planning a wedding can be.
What does a wedding planner do?
A wedding planner can help you with the planning process from the start of your engagement. They’ll help define a wedding vision, find a venue and vendors, and organize everything for a seamless event.
What will a wedding planner not do?
A wedding planner won’t do the jobs other vendors usually do, such as serving food or drinks, cleaning up after guests, getting all necessary paperwork ready, or setting up rental chairs and tables or décor. They can advise you on what vendors to hire to take care of these tasks.
One Thing the Right Planner Will Suggest? Wedding Insurance
A savvy wedding planner knows life can throw a curveball into even the best-planned weddings. Wedding insurance can keep you covered so your wedding doesn’t become a significant money pit for yourself or your family members.
Learn more about wedding insurance and get a quick, free quote now.
Related Articles:
Do I Need Wedding Event Insurance?
When to Get Wedding Insurance
Some of the Most Expensive Wedding Venues in the World
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost
A Quick Guide to Micro-Wedding Venues
Top Four Traditional Types Of Wedding Bands
What to wear to a black tie wedding?
How Do I Upgrade My Wedding Ring?
Ideas for a Small Wedding
Affordable Wedding Insurance: More Coverage, Less Cost!
UP NEXT: 5 of the Best Ideas for Bridal Showers
Author
