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In those initial weeks after your engagement to your beloved, it’s understandable that you may feel a little too flushed with joy to think properly. But of course, you must think properly, not least so that you can select a wedding planner who will make the entire ride easier for you.
So, as a starting point in ensuring you choose only the most appropriate wedding planner for your needs and are able to get the most out of their services, here are some questions you may ask.
When are you available to plan our wedding?
This isn’t simply a case of ensuring your preferred wedding planner will be available at the time of year when you plan to tie the knot. That’s because it’s also about being confident that your wedding will be properly prioritised and receive the level of time and attention it deserves.
Some planners are happy to work for you at short notice, but others may only be bookable at least a year in advance. In your discussions with your planner, you need to be sure that they are being honest about how much they can accomplish during their time with you.
Will you be present on-site at our wedding?
How you handle any response to this question may depend on whether you are working with a single individual on the organisation of your nuptials, or instead a larger company. The latter may have multiple account executives dedicating themselves to various aspects of your big day, so you may not be so concerned about a specific person being present at your venue.
If, however, there is one person in particular that you wish to be on-site on the day, you will need to ask about this at the earliest opportunity. It may not necessarily be difficult for them to be there even if you plan to get married further afield – the renowned Château Bouffémont in France, for example, boasts impressive rural surroundings while also being close to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
What can I expect to pay for your services?
According to an article on the website of You & Your Wedding magazine, the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners advises that would-be married couples put aside about 10-15% of their budget when selecting a wedding planner, so you will need to ensure your planner’s pricing matches this.
You can expect to pay anything between a few hundred and around a thousand pounds for a day service. But it’s also important to clarify how the planner’s fees are structured and whether certain elements – such as the planner travelling to be with you at the venue – incur additional charges.
Do you share my vision for my wedding?
Even if a planner insists they can handle all types and styles of wedding, different planners do have different approaches, so it’s worth ensuring that they have the same enthusiasm for what you wish to do with your special day.
The right wedding planner for your needs will have a good chemistry with you, be a good listener and respect what you do and don’t wish your wedding to include. They will also, however, be confident to suggest their own ideas for how to realise your vision.
What would your past clients say about their experience with you?
This is the perfect question to throw less experienced planners, but shouldn’t remotely intimidate the best in their field. Indeed, your chosen wedding planner should be able to enthusiastically tell you their stories of how things went with the brides and grooms that they’re using as references.
Consider what your favoured wedding planner says in response to this question, and then contact the couples mentioned – if you can – to see whether they have the same account of their experience.
For a rundown of some of the other factors that you should be considering when selecting a wedding planner, why not consult the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners’ own guide to choosing the right such planner for you?