All relationships take work, and that includes the relationship between a couple and their wedding planner. The good news is, when you find a wedding planner that you truly connect with, that “work” suddenly doesn’t seem so hard. So, how do you go about finding a wedding planner in the first place, and what should you expect from the relationship? We’re here to answer those questions and more!
1. Do You Really Need a Wedding Planner?
There are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to planning your dream wedding. Either you know exactly what you want down to the very last detail, or you don’t even know where to start. If you fall into the first category or are simply trying to make your wedding as financially feasible as possible, you might be wondering if hiring a wedding planner is worth it. It’s just possible, though, that hiring a wedding planner could save you some money in the long run. You should hire a wedding planner in order to (1) help keep your budget on track, (2) bring your vision to life, (3) take advantage of planner-vendor relationships, and (4) let someone else worry about all the details on your big day.
2. Know their Strengths
Once you’ve decided to hire a wedding planner, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Wedding planners are not all cut from the same cloth. They’re not all the same. Each wedding planner will have their own unique strengths and niche areas where they thrive. For example, if you are interested in exploring options for an outdoor ceremony, you would want to find a wedding planner that is experienced in planning outdoor weddings. Similarly, if you want a destination wedding, you would not hire someone that has only done traditional church wedding in one town. Interview several wedding planners to get to know them and find out about their experience.
3. Communicate Your Preferences & Priorities
When you are interviewing wedding planners, it’s important that you communicate your preferences and priorities. Have a general idea of how long you want your engagement to be, the size of your wedding party and guest list, and certain non-negotiables for your big day. Why should you already know the size of your wedding party and guest list? When the planner works with you to scout locations, they need to be able to take into account the size of your wedding party and if everyone will fit. Admittedly, we’ve seen time and again couples who decide to trim down either their wedding party or guest list to fit their dream venue, but it’s a good idea to start off with a solid number. Let’s say you want your dogs to be part of the wedding ceremony. The planner needs to know this up front, as some venues don’t allow pets.
The initial meeting with a planner is extremely important, as most wedding planners won’t move forward from that initial conversation without a contract. This is done to protect both you, the client, and the wedding planner. The contract is a detailed agreement between both parties that lays out expectations and deliverables. Once a wedding planner has signed you as a client, they are all in on planning your wedding. For this reason, it’s important that you go into the first meeting with a wedding planner armed with questions so that you can make the best possible decision regarding who will plan your special day.
4. Trust the Professionals
There are going to be times when your idea or vision doesn’t exactly jive with the wedding planner’s. These times will be few and far between if you’ve selected the right wedding planner, but it will happen. Know that a good wedding planner will never insult your choices or insinuate that their way is the only way. They are there to guide you, and ultimately to carry out your wishes. The important thing to remember, though, is to trust their process.
Your wedding planner will want you to do multiple food and dessert tastings. You may be completely satisfied with the first vendor, but your planner will push you to keep your appointments with the remaining vendors. Trust them on this. This is a very special moment in your life, and you want only the very best. You never know what vendor 2 or 3 might have in store for you.
What happens if someone recommended a vendor to you that your planner does not know? Talk with your planner about the vendor and allow them time to vet this vendor before moving forward. Just because your planner doesn’t suggest a certain vendor doesn’t mean you can’t use them. Be open with your planner about your desire to use a different vendor and then let the planner work their magic from there. A wedding planner will make suggestions to you and guide you through the decision process, but a solid wedding planner will never make a decision without your consent. This relationship is built off of mutual trust and respect.
Related: A Fool-Proof Guide to Choosing a Wedding Theme
A good wedding planner will keep your budget in mind, always. This, after all, is their job, and it’s part of why you agreed to hire them as stipulated in the contract. Sometimes there are difficult conversations along the way about sacrificing one element in order to be able to afford another. Trust their guidance as they walk you through touch decisions. You’re probably going to roll your eyes a time or two at how often your wedding planner is consulting the calculator or pulling out the budget. After all, each individual flower bud cost money! But, not to worry, they are doing this all in your best interest to give you the wedding of your dreams.
Read: Testimonials from our dearest couples.
Elevated Style Events makes sure to help you envision, plan, and execute this one major decision for your wedding preparation. Our team understands how this can be an overwhelming yet exciting part of gearing up for your dream wedding. We are committed by giving our clients the utmost satisfaction and quality of service for your most-awaited lifetime celebration.
Contact us here to book an appointment.
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