Shop Around
It is a good idea to have a handful of wedding planners that you are comparing prices and services with, however the number of wedding planners on the market can be truly overwhelming. Be sure to do your homework, research some reviews and compare three to five wedding planners. Make sure that the planners are accredited whether they are a graduate from a prestigious Event Management Program, certified through the Wedding Planning Institute of Canada or similar training and in addition have lots of experience! Also, remember that it isn’t always about price, but more so about the value of the service they are providing.
Interview Your Top Choices
To narrow down your search even further it is vital to interview your potential wedding planners in person. Think of it as a job interview, because essentially it is one. At this stage you have found a few select people in your price range, and you should have a general idea of the services they provide. The interview is important to get a more specific idea about sharing your vision for the wedding, and more importantly, checking out chemistry between you and the planner. Ask about their working style, how many weddings they work on at a time, and if they do their job part-time or full-time. You will find this to be extremely important if you are looking for someone who has more availability to work on your event with several moving parts.
Match Based on Personality
If you hire the right wedding planner for you, they are going to be with you every step of the planning process. This means constant communication between you and your planner, that will inevitably increase to everyday interactions closer to the wedding. You want to make sure you are hiring someone you like and you jive with. If you connect with your planner, everything will go a lot smoother. If there are any problems that arise you will be able to communicate solutions more efficiently.
Ask for a Portfolio
Past work is an excellent predictor of future work. If you love the theme and design your planner has put together for past weddings, you will more than likely love whatever he or she puts together for your wedding. Do not be shy when asking for photos and videos. This will help you to get a better idea of the type of events your wedding planner naturally gravitate towards. Check out Envision Wedding’s Portfolio!
How do they charge for their services?
A percentage or a flat rate are the two most common forms of rates when hiring a wedding planner. If you planner is charging a percentage this will be of the overall cost of the wedding, generally about 10% of your budget. If your planner is charging a rate this will typically come in the form of pre-planned wedding packages that have a pre-determined fixed price. The most important thing to consider though is whether the planner will deliver on your expectations within your proposed budget. If the answer is no it is best to keep searching.
What services planners cover and what don’t they cover?
Everyone has different expectations for their wedding planner and many people have pre-conceived notions about wedding planning. Similar to other professions, unless you’ve experienced it first hand, sometimes those notions may not be correct. It is your wedding planner’s job to educated clients on what the purpose of a wedding planner is, and what they are hired to do – to relieve stress, organize all your moving parts of the day, and oversee the elements that you will not have time to be able to pay attention to, because you are having
that much fun!
Happy Planning,
Cassandra
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