Key Traits To Seek In Your Wedding Planner

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and it's natural to want everything to go perfectly. A wedding planner can help you navigate the complex world of wedding planning, from selecting vendors to creating a budget to coordinating timelines. But with so many wedding planners out there, how do you find the right one for you? Here are some key things to look for in a wedding planner:

- A good wedding planner should be detail-oriented, organised, and able to handle stress with ease.

- They should have multiple plans and be ready to pivot as needed.

- Their goal should be to make the wedding planning process as stress-free as possible for you so that you can enjoy your special day.

- Great communication is key. Wedding planners with excellent communication skills will give you a roadmap to your perfect wedding and help you get there.

- Their planning style should align with your lifestyle. For example, if you work full-time, you'll need a wedding planner with a flexible schedule to accommodate meetings outside of your work hours.

- Their planning process should be transparent, with great communication, easy-to-follow organisation, and ways to keep you involved and in the loop.

- They should specialise in planning your dream wedding. If you want a traditional, religious wedding, look for a planner who specialises in weddings that celebrate your specific religion or culture.

- You should feel comfortable with how they charge fees. Some planners charge a fixed package price, while others charge by the hour or a percentage of your final budget. Be sure to ask about any potential hidden costs or mark-ups.

- You should feel a sense of compatibility and connection with your wedding planner. You'll be working closely with them for a significant amount of time, so it's important that you get along and feel comfortable being yourself around them.

Planning Style Compatibility

Planning a wedding can be stressful, so it's important to find a wedding planner who can help you navigate the process with ease. Here are some things to consider when thinking about planning style compatibility with your wedding planner:

Availability and Flexibility

It's crucial to find a wedding planner whose schedule aligns with yours. If you work a typical 9-5 job, look for a planner who can accommodate meetings on weekends or weeknights. If you live in a different time zone, find a planner willing to meet at odd hours to suit your schedule. Understanding how your schedules fit together is essential.

Planning Process and Transparency

The right wedding planner for you should have a transparent and collaborative planning process. They should keep you involved and informed every step of the way, ensuring there are no surprises. Ask them about their planning techniques, software, and strategies for keeping you in the loop.

Specialisation

Choose a wedding planner who specialises in the type of wedding you envision. Whether it's a traditional religious wedding, a destination wedding, or something else, an expert in that specific area will already know what you need and guide you more effectively.

Communication

Effective communication with your wedding planner is of utmost importance. They should make you feel heard and understood, taking the time to learn about your unique needs and vision for the wedding. Assess their preferred methods of communication (e.g. Zoom, email, text, phone calls) and how that aligns with your own preferences.

Level of Involvement

Different wedding planners offer various levels of involvement, from full-service planning to day-of coordination. Consider how much help you need and select a planner who can offer a package that suits your requirements. If you need help with every detail, a full-service planner is ideal. However, if you just need occasional guidance, a consultant or expert to keep you on track may be a better fit.

When choosing a wedding planner, remember that you should feel a sense of compatibility and ease in your interactions. Trust your instincts and select someone who understands your vision and values for your special day.

Transparent Process

A wedding planner's process should be transparent, with great communication and easy-to-follow organisation. This means keeping the couple in the loop at every step of the journey, so there are no surprises.

Ask your wedding planner about their planning techniques, software and strategies. You want to be sure they can adapt to your needs and schedule. For example, if you are a busy full-time employee, you need a planner with a flexible schedule to accommodate meetings outside of work hours. If you are in a different time zone, your planner should be able to accommodate meetings at unusual hours.

You should also be clear on the level of service they will provide. For example, will they be present at vendor meetings and assist with reviewing contracts? Will they provide a timeline for the day and a floor plan of the venue? Will they be the person on-site on the day, or will it be another planner?

A transparent wedding planner will be happy to answer all of these questions and more, and will be able to adapt their services to your needs.

Specialisation

When looking for a wedding planner, it's important to find someone who understands your vision and can execute the wedding of your dreams. Here are some things to consider when evaluating a wedding planner's specialisation:

Type of Wedding

If you have a specific type of wedding in mind, such as a traditional religious wedding, a destination wedding, or a non-traditional celebration, look for a planner who specialises in that area. They will have the expertise and connections to make your vision a reality. For example, a destination wedding planner will be well-versed in navigating exchange rates, foreign transaction fees, language barriers, and other nuances of planning a wedding abroad.

Your Lifestyle

Consider your lifestyle and how the planner's working style fits with it. If you work a 9-5 job, look for a planner who can accommodate meetings outside of those hours. If you live in a different time zone, find someone who is willing to meet at unconventional hours to suit your schedule.

Planning Process

Different planners will have different planning processes, and it's important to find one that suits your needs. If you want to be heavily involved in the planning, look for a planner who encourages collaboration and keeps you in the loop at every step. On the other hand, if you prefer to take a back seat, find a planner who can take the lead and make decisions with minimal input from you.

Level of Involvement

Wedding planners can offer various levels of involvement, from full-service planning to day-of coordination. Decide how much help you need and choose a planner who can offer a package that suits your requirements. If you're unsure, a good planner will help you identify the level of assistance that's right for you.

Communication Style

Effective communication is key to a successful working relationship with your wedding planner. Assess how well you communicate with the planner during your initial consultation. Do they make you feel heard? Are they responsive and adaptable to your needs? Also, consider the methods of communication they use (e.g. Zoom, email, text, phone calls) and how that aligns with your preferences.

Vendor Connections

A good wedding planner will have extensive connections with vendors and will be able to recommend those who suit your style and budget. They should be able to negotiate the best deals and ensure reliable vendors are hired for your special day.

When evaluating a wedding planner's specialisation, don't be afraid to ask specific questions about their experience, planning process, and how they will bring your unique vision to life.

Clear Pricing

When it comes to wedding planner pricing, transparency is key. Discuss the planner's fees upfront and ask about any additional costs. Pricing transparency is essential to avoid surprises later on. If anything is unclear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. Give them a hard number and make it clear that you cannot go beyond it.

There are a few standard levels of service offered by wedding planners, and the budget will differ based on the level of support required. Here's a general overview of what to expect in terms of cost per service level:

• Full-service wedding planner: Typically, full-service planners charge a percentage of the overall wedding budget, ranging from 10% to 20%. For a $30,000 budget, this equates to $3,000 to $6,000. Some may charge a flat fee, usually starting from $5,000 and increasing based on the scale of the event. The timeline may also impact costs, with a six-month wedding planning timeline likely being less expensive than a two-year plan. The average starting rate for a full-service wedding planner in the US is about $3,000, with top-tier planners averaging $4,500 to $12,000.
• Partial wedding planner: Partial planning services are often priced lower than full-service packages. Expect to pay around $1,500 to $3,000 for partial planning. This service is more flexible, so you may be able to present the planner with your budget and ask what they can offer within that amount. The average starting rate for a partial wedding planner in the US is $1,250, but a more experienced pro could range from $2,300 to $6,000.
• Day-of coordinator: Day-of coordination is generally more affordable but can still make a significant impact. Costs range from $800 to $2,000 for management services. Check if your wedding venue offers a package that includes this service. The average starting cost for a day-of wedding planner in the US is $800, with higher-end planners averaging $1,250 to $3,395.

Remember, these figures are approximate, and there may be some flexibility based on your specific budget. It's important to have clear and honest conversations about pricing to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises later on.

When selecting a wedding planner, consider whether you prefer fixed, transparent pricing or if you're comfortable with hourly rates or a percentage of the final budget. Ask the planner about their payment policies, deposit requirements, and refund or cancellation policies. Understanding their pricing model will help you determine if they are the right fit for your budget and needs.

Communication

A good wedding planner will be able to get their message across clearly and explain what they can create for you. They should also be able to advise on things like budget, trends, and etiquette. Effective communication will help them to negotiate with vendors and make their instructions clear, so that everyone involved has a positive experience on the day.

When interviewing wedding planners, ask about their preferred methods of communication (e.g. Zoom, email, text, or phone call) and how that will affect their planning process. You should feel comfortable with their communication style and frequency, and feel heard and understood.

In addition to their communication with you, the wedding planner should also have strong communication skills when dealing with vendors and merchants. They should be able to negotiate and advocate for you, to ensure you get the best deals and that your vision is realised.

Finally, a good wedding planner will also have excellent interpersonal skills, which will aid them when interacting with all parties involved, including stressed-out brides, jittery grooms, and emotional parents. They should be friendly, outgoing, and willing to work under pressure.

Frequently asked questions