Your wedding will be one of the most special days of your life. A wedding planner, like Event Planner Columbia SC, can help make that magic happen. They will be responsible for planning and executing most of the major details like choosing a venue, but they can even assist you in choosing a dress. Here are five steps to choosing the right wedding planner, like Sheboygan wedding planner, for you:
- Do your research
- Ask the right questions
- Bring your budget
- Call their references
- Review your contract
- Do your research
Do some advance planning of your own before you pick a planner. Research wedding planners and the work they’ve done to see if it matches your own style. They should have a portfolio on their website or social media page of the kind of work they’ve done in the past. The wedding planner will likely have some elements that remain the same throughout the weddings they’ve planned. It’s up to you to decide if these touches, like their floral arrangements or photo poses, match with what you have in mind.
Above all, you will want to pick a planner who you can visualize spending a lot of time with for the next several months before the big day. The wedding planner should be a good match with your personality and an advocate for your vision. A wedding planner will be up close and personal with you and your significant other, and tensions can run high as the wedding date approaches.
Research what kind of services the planner offers. Cake design, guest list planning and management, hotel coordination (reserving a block of rooms for out-of-town guests), and even etiquette advice are some of the services a wedding planner can offer.
- Ask the right questions
Come up with a list of the most important questions you want to ask your planner. You should ask them about what services they offer and what kind of timeline you can expect from working with them. This will tell you a lot about their planning style.
Once you pick a planner, make sure to come prepared for your first meeting. Bring things like:
- Bridal magazines
- Pinterest boards
- Wedding hairstyle pictures
- Color swatches
- Photos of Sydney Store jewelry looks
Your planner can take your initial ideas and help you flesh them out, but it’s good to have some idea of your absolute must-haves so they know what to incorporate in your big day. The initial in-person meeting will also help you establish whether this planner would be a good fit for you or not. Communication is key throughout the planning process. If this person does not seem like someone who will respond promptly and thoroughly to your wedding needs, you should probably choose someone else.
Destination weddings have different needs than local ones. A destination wedding planner will offer different advice than a one who does local weddings. The destination planner likely works regularly with the vendors at your chosen destination and can bring you a pre-established list of caterers, photographers, and the like. A vendor from your hometown would probably not have the same kind of inside scoop.
- Bring your budget
Weddings revolve around numbers as much as they revolve around dreams. When your planner comes back to you with several different vendor or caterer options, be realistic about which ones you can afford and share your thoughts with your significant other. Your significant other has an important role in the planning process too. Setting clear expectations up front about what you will be spending money on will prevent sticker shock down the road and make your planner’s job a lot easier.
You should also figure out how much you’re willing to spend on a planner. Don’t immediately leap for the cheapest option, or you might get a cheap-looking wedding.
- Call their references
Talk to other people who have worked with the planner before. Ask them how closely the planner stuck to their budget, how well the planner interpreted their ideas, and what services the planner provided. The planner’s portfolio will definitely include the glossiest and prettiest wedding pictures, so it’s worth it to get the real deal. Don’t be afraid to ask how the planner handled any emergencies. You want to get a realistic picture of how the planner does under pressure and their level of professionalism.
- Review your contract
Confirm that this wedding planner is right for you before you sign anything. When you decide on your top choice it is a courtesy to let your other options know that you did not choose them, so they are not waiting for your email or call. Then make a time to meet with your chosen planner and sign the contract.
It’s very common to want some hand-holding during the wedding planning process. If you know that you will need or want a lot of meetings, make sure it’s in the contract. Review the contract to make sure you are comfortable with the budget the planner has proposed and understand the exact services they can provide.
A wedding planner can be one of the best investments in your wedding. They can save you time and effort in the long run. When the day of your wedding comes you will be able to relax and enjoy it as much as your guests do. Now get out there and have an awesome wedding.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
[…] How to choose a wedding planner […]