Expressing Gratitude: Thanking Your Wedding Planner

Wedding planners work tirelessly to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch, so it's only right that you show your gratitude with a thoughtful thank-you. While a physical gift is always an option, there are plenty of other ways to express your appreciation. A handwritten thank-you card is a lovely gesture, and be sure to mention specific moments or details that stood out to you. If you want to give a gift, consider something personalised or a gift card, or offer to be a reference for a testimonial. You could also share their work on social media or leave a tip, especially if they went above and beyond.

Write a personalised thank-you card

Writing a personalised thank-you card to your wedding planner is a great way to express your gratitude and acknowledge their hard work. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you craft a meaningful and heartfelt message:

Timing

There are no hard and fast rules about when to send your thank-you card. You can choose to send it before the wedding, on the wedding day, or in the weeks following the event. Sending it before the big day can be a wonderful way to surprise and delight your planner and build rapport. If you send it on the wedding day, make sure you have a moment to say thank you privately without disrupting the schedule. Ideally, you should send the card a few weeks after the wedding while the memories are still fresh and you can pinpoint specific highlights.

What to Write

In your card, it's important to acknowledge your planner's dedication, expertise, and thoughtfulness. Express your appreciation for their attention to detail and their talents in bringing your vision to life. Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Talk about any hesitations you had about hiring a planner and how they quickly disappeared once you started working together.
• Give an example of a problem they expertly solved or a challenge they helped you navigate.
• Share the moment you realised your planner truly understood your vision.
• Describe how they helped you keep your cool during stressful moments or when you felt overwhelmed.
• Outline instances where their attention to detail and creativity shined through, especially if you had unique or unexpected requests.
• Acknowledge how their role as a planner quickly pivoted to one as a friend or an extension of your wedding party.
• Mention how they've helped you become more confident in making decisions.
• Give them snaps for their flexibility and support throughout the planning process.
• Allude to the times their professionalism and poise contributed to a smoother experience.
• Provide examples of elements or details they executed that far surpassed your expectations.
• Call out the things your guests can't stop talking about, even days, weeks, or months after the wedding.
• Mention how much you'll miss your weekly check-ins and planning sessions now that the wedding is over.
• Rave about their overall "awesomeness" and let them know you'll be recommending them to everyone you know!

Sample Thank-You Note

Below is a sample thank-you note that you can use as inspiration:

Dear [wedding planner's name],

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in making our wedding day so special. Your expertise, creativity, and attention to detail truly brought our vision to life, and we are forever grateful. From helping us navigate stressful moments to ensuring every detail was perfect, your support meant the world to us. We will always cherish the memories of our wedding day, and we couldn't have done it without you!

Thank you again,

[Your names]

Give a gift card or a physical gift

Gifting your wedding planner a gift card or a physical gift is a great way to show your appreciation. If you're close to your wedding planner, you could get them a gift that symbolizes your friendship. For example, if you share a favourite flower, you could send them a bouquet. Alternatively, if you have a TV show in common, you could get them some witty memorabilia.

If you don't know your wedding planner that well, you could get them a gift card. This could be for a spa, a restaurant, or even Amazon, so they can treat themselves to something they'll enjoy. If your wedding venue is a hotel or resort, you could get your wedding planner a gift card for that venue, so they can enjoy the facilities without working.

If you want to get your wedding planner a physical gift, you could get them something related to their hobbies or interests. For example, if they mentioned a book that inspires them, you could buy them a copy. Or, if you shared a meal at a restaurant during a planning session, you could get them a gift card so they can go back.

Share their work and give a review

Sharing your wedding planner's work and giving them a positive review is a great way to show your gratitude. Here are some tips to help you do this effectively:

Share Their Work on Social Media

Give praise to your wedding planner on social media platforms. Follow them, like their posts, and comment on posts you love. Tag them in your wedding photos, even on your anniversary years later! Credit not just your planner but also other vendors in your captions. This will help them gain more exposure and potential clients.

Write a Detailed and Thoughtful Review

Writing a review for your wedding planner on a site like The Knot is a meaningful way to express your gratitude. It's also beneficial to other couples who are searching for a wedding planner. When writing your review, be sure to include specific details about your experience. Elaborate on why you enjoyed working with your planner and how they contributed to your special day. For example, you could mention their patience, professionalism, and ability to handle any challenges that arose. Share anecdotes and highlight the main points without writing a novel-length review. Be honest and genuine in your feedback, as this will be most helpful to both the wedding planner and future clients.

Offer to Be a Reference

You can also offer to be a reference for your wedding planner. They may feature your review directly on their website or direct potential clients to you so they can hear about your experience firsthand. This will not only help your wedding planner gain new business but also strengthen your relationship with them.

Share Photos and Testimonials

If you have photos from your wedding that showcase the planner's work, share them online or offer to provide them for the planner's portfolio. You can also write a testimonial for their website, highlighting the aspects of their service that you appreciated the most. This could include their attention to detail, organisational skills, or creative ideas that made your wedding unique.

Remember, sharing your wedding planner's work and giving them a positive review is a wonderful way to show your appreciation and help their business grow. Your kind words will surely be valued and cherished!

Offer to be a reference for a testimonial

Offering to be a reference for a testimonial is a great way to thank your wedding planner. This is a meaningful way to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Here are some ways to do this:

Share Their Work and Give a Review:

Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool in the wedding industry. Share your positive experience with others by recommending your wedding planner to friends and family who are planning their own weddings. Additionally, write a review on online platforms such as Wedding Wire, The Knot, Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Spread the word about why you loved their work so much!

Offer to be a Testimonial Reference:

Let your wedding planner know that you are willing to be a reference for them. This could mean having your review featured directly on their website or being a contact for potential clients who want to hear about your experience first-hand. This offer will show your wedding planner that you truly valued their work and are happy to help them grow their business.

Continue Working with Them:

Just because your wedding is over doesn't mean your relationship with your wedding planner has to end! Many wedding planners offer services beyond weddings, such as event planning for baby showers, graduation parties, or other milestone events. By hiring them again, you are showing your appreciation and supporting their business.

Provide a Personalised Gift:

If you know your wedding planner well, consider giving them a personalised gift. This could be something related to their interests or hobbies, or even a gift card to their favourite store or restaurant. A thoughtful gift shows that you went the extra mile to show your gratitude.

Write a Thank-You Note:

A heartfelt, handwritten thank-you note is always appreciated. Take the time to express your gratitude and mention specific moments or details that made your wedding day special. Let them know how their dedication, expertise, and thoughtfulness made a difference.

Tip your wedding planner

Tipping your wedding planner is a thoughtful way to show your gratitude for their hard work and dedication. Here are some ideas on how to go about it:

Timing is Everything

It is customary to give tips to your wedding planner after the wedding, as a way of showing your appreciation for their efforts. However, you can also choose to give a tip before or during the wedding, especially if you feel that their work has been exceptional and you want to recognise it immediately. This can be a wonderful way to surprise and delight your planner, build rapport, and let them know that you are thrilled with their work.

Amount and Presentation

When creating your wedding budget, consider including an estimate for tips or gratuities for your wedding planner and other service-based vendors. The amount you tip is entirely up to your discretion and can be based on the level of service provided and your overall satisfaction. Place the tip in a sealed envelope, along with a thoughtful thank-you note, and give it to your wedding planner directly or ask someone else to do so, such as your wedding party or a family member.

Express Your Gratitude

In your thank-you note, be sure to mention specific instances where your wedding planner went above and beyond. Acknowledge their dedication, expertise, attention to detail, and creativity in bringing your vision to life. Speak openly about how their calming presence and support made your wedding day less stressful and more enjoyable. If you are writing the note before the wedding, you can express gratitude for their hard work thus far and your confidence in their ability to create your dream wedding.

Go the Extra Mile

In addition to a tip and a thank-you note, there are other ways to show your appreciation for your wedding planner. You can offer to be a reference for them, recommending their services to your engaged friends or acting as a testimonial on their website. You could also surprise them with a thoughtful gift, such as a gift card to their favourite store or restaurant, a bottle of their favourite drink, or a personalised item with their initials. These gestures will surely make your wedding planner feel valued and appreciated.

Frequently asked questions