How to Pick a Wedding Planner
How to Pick a Wedding Planner
Planning a wedding is a detailed process that often spans many months! Choosing the right wedding planner can make the difference between a stressful experience and one that feels organized, supported, and enjoyable. A skilled planner brings experience, structure, and a calm approach to help guide important decisions and manage logistics, allowing you to focus on enjoying your engagement and wedding day.
Decide What Type of Wedding Planner You Need
The first step in choosing a wedding planner is deciding what level of support you’re looking for. While titles may vary, most wedding planning services fall into three main categories: full-service wedding planning, partial planning, and month-of or day-of coordination. These are informative of the involvement and support the planner will provide, with full service being the most complete and personalized offering and day-of being more purely execution level and support for your wedding day.
It’s also important to establish a realistic budget for your planner. Depending on the service/package many planners charge either a flat fee or a percentage of your overall wedding budget, typically ranging from 10–20%. As you consider your options, think about how involved you’d like to be in the planning process and how much time you realistically have to dedicate, especially if you’re balancing work or other commitments!
Research Wedding Planners and Read Reviews
Once you know what type of wedding planner you need and the support you are looking for, take time to research planners and compare what’s included in their services. Recently married friends can be a great resource, especially if they worked with a planner they loved.
Online platforms such as Google, The Knot, and Facebook groups also provide reviews and photos from real weddings. Reading firsthand experiences can give you valuable insight into a planner’s communication style, organization, and approach to problem-solving.
Interview a Few Wedding Planners
I recommend interviewing at least two to three wedding planners before making a decision! You’ll be trusting this person with many important details, so it’s essential that you feel comfortable and confident working together.
Some helpful questions to ask during your consultations include:
Have you worked at our wedding venue before?
How many weddings do you take on at one time?
Are there limits on meetings or calls during the planning process?
Will you personally be managing the event on the wedding day?
Come Prepared to Your Wedding Planner Consultations
Before meeting with planners, it’s helpful to outline any non-negotiables or major ideas you already have for your wedding. Sharing this information allows planners to better advise you on the level of support you need and provide accurate pricing.
In some cases, specific requests or priorities may affect which package is the best fit or how services are structured. Asking for a detailed proposal can help you clearly understand what’s included before making a decision.
Trust Your Instincts When Choosing a Wedding Planner
By the end of your conversations, you should have a clear sense of which wedding planner feels right for you. Trust your instincts and choose someone who aligns with your vision, communicates clearly, and makes you feel calm and supported.
The right wedding planner becomes a trusted partner throughout the process, helping create an experience that feels thoughtful, organized, and truly enjoyable from start to finish.
Let the planning begin!
