5 Tips on how to choose your Perfect Wedding Planner

First off, you deserve a big hug for deciding you need a wedding planner. Couple’s who don't have wedding planners need to rely on their friends and family to really be the backbone of the wedding and this means friends and family cannot enjoy the party.

The first thing you need to do, is research to select a few wedding planners that are available on your wedding date and that you feel suits your style and budget. Then arrange for a meeting in a comfortable, quiet and calm environment for you to interview your wedding planner (and your wedding planner to interview you).

You should know that not all wedding planners are created equal. On paper, their services may all look similar (or identical), but every planner’s services are different because the planners themselves are different. Here’s some tips on how to navigate through your meeting with your prospective planners and how to decide who is the best fit for you and your wedding.

Tip # 1: Recommendations

Ask friends and family for referrals. Research options online and when you find a planner you’re interested in, look at their website, read their client reviews, fan them on Facebook, follow them on pinterest, even read their blog if they have one. This gives you a great idea of who they are before you even step in their door.

Tip # 2: Style, Taste and Connection

Don't be afraid to ask questions, you want to hear their ideas and concepts, their opinions and recommendations so that you can gauge their character. This gives you an idea whether the planner’s taste and style suits your own. You should also be able to “click” with your planner because you will be spending a lot of time with them and if you don’t like spending time with them, why hire them? Your planner will be your best friend for the next few months.

Tip # 3: Scope of Work

Most wedding planners have either a full service package or a on-the -day package, be honest about where you need help. If you don't have the time and patience to plan the entire wedding, get the planner for the full deal. Be comfortable with the planner’s package and be up front about what you expect from the start so that everyone knows the direction of the wedding.

Tip # 4: Portfolio

Look through their portfolio and let the planner explain about their previous weddings, you will then get an idea of the planner’s design aesthetics and style. Ask about certain elements that stand out to you and ask for insights of how the planner handles the design and concept of the wedding plus the different vendors involved.

Tip # 5: Listen

You want to get someone that listens to you and someone you will listen to. After all, you are getting a professional for his/her professional opinion so you must feel that you can trust your planner’s opinion and recommendation and that you will listen to the planner’s ideas.

Happy hunting!