If you haven’t planned a wedding before, or it has been a while, you don’t know what you don’t know–and that’s totally ok! Not everyone chooses to work with a wedding planner, so this could be new to you. Don’t worry, we’ve compiled some initial questions to ask your Wedding Planner when you’re starting your search.
First and foremost, a completely normal thing to ask is what does a wedding planner actually do? A lot of people don’t really know, thanks to movies that portray the role. It’s not just playing with flowers and tasting wedding cakes. The answer to that is that an experienced wedding planner guides you through the planning process, giving their expertise along the way to ensure a perfectly planned and professionally executed event. This allows you to relax and enjoy your special day, knowing that it’s in good hands.
Next, you should ask what types of services your wedding planner offers. Do they offer multiple packages or specialize is just one type of service? Each package depends on the level of involvement you need from a planner, or how much you want to tackle on your own. For example, we offer Wedding Management, Planning Guidance or Full Service planning options. Each has a different amount we are involved in when it comes to planning meetings, vendor communication, budgeting, design and logistics. This should be at the top of your questions to ask your wedding planner! PS: “day of” coordination does not exist.
A wedding planner’s partnerships and relationships not only benefit them, but also their clients. You’ll want to make sure how the vendor process works. Do they require you to choose from their preferred vendors, or can you go out on your own? Another aspect of this is if you get any special types of discounts or perks for going with their vendors. We never guarantee it, but working with a wedding planner does have its benefits, especially when approaching vendors we work with often. Some florists will gift you a bouquet or you’ll get a discount on rentals. Every little bit helps!
One of the biggest questions to ask your wedding planner is if they have worked at your venue before. It’s not 100% necessary, but depending on the venue, prior experience there can help you a ton! It ensures they are familiar with the venue’s rules, regulations and restrictions. You don’t want a planner guiding you in one direction when it’s something the venue doesn’t allow. It’s a bonus if they are a preferred planner with the property.
Each wedding planning company is different. Some operate on a smaller, more boutique-style level, while others have a large team. You’ll want to ask exactly who you’ll be working with throughout the planning process AND on the wedding day itself. You don’t want to be working with someone who knows the ins and outs of your event, then just hands it off to a day of support member to execute it. A follow up question to this is how many on the team at your wedding? A minimum of two is recommended, plus more depending on the logistics of your day and guest count.
Lastly, one of the most popular questions is what do you set up on the wedding day? The answer (for our team at least) is your personal items. This could be your card box, favors, table numbers, guest book, memorial table items, small signage, etc. We are working on setting out these items that you provide, along with making sure that all items you’ve purchased or rented from vendors is getting set up as well.
All in all, you’ll want to do your due diligence when looking at planners. These initial questions to ask a wedding planner should help you get started, but remember, you’ll want to talk to them and get a feel. You’ll be working closely with them for the most important day of your life!
