Finding a Good Wedding PlannerPosted by Kim Rix on November 17th, 2009
Dear Bride and Groom,
You may be considering using a wedding planner for a number of reasons. Perhaps you feel under pressure for time, you are not sure where to start or you know exactly what you want and you are looking for someone who can help you see it through from beginning to end.
There are plenty of people in the UK (and abroad) who sell themselves as a Wedding Planner but how do you know who to trust?
Here are my tips for finding the wedding planner who suits you.
Recommendations
The most obvious way to find out if a wedding planner is any good is through recommendation. This could be a personal recommendation from a friend, family member or acquaintance but if it doesn’t come through them there is another way to find out. Ask the planner if he / she has any testimonials from previous clients or even suppliers that you can talk to.
Documentation
Any planner worth their salt will have examples of previous weddings. This can include photographs, budgets, scrapbooks of research materials and even copies of invites and ceremonies. A good planner should sit and go through some of these with you and give examples of wedding that are close to your ideas.
Budgeting / Contracting
A wedding planner should always be upfront about their charges and not add on any ‘extras’ that haven’t been discussed. You should always get a contract between yourself and the planner that details all the services you should be receiving and also any obligations that you should fulfil. If your planner is hesitant about budgets or doesn’t produce a contract I would steer clear.
Connections
One of the great benefits of using a planner is that they have fantastic connections with service and product suppliers. The planner should be able to give you a list of good suppliers that he / she works with regularly and what makes them special. Usually a planner is given discounts for their orders as they place them regularly and this should be passed on to you. Basically that means you can get a little more for your money!
Personality
It is essential that you find a planner that you get on well with – someone who complements your personality. So if you are quite highly strung you need someone who is efficient and can keep you calm and relaxed. Or if you are quite laid back then you need someone who can nudge you into making decisions and setting tasks for you to complete.
Above all your wedding planner should be honest, open and accountable.
Kind regards,
Kim Rix