Five tips to help you find the best wedding planner

Once you’ve said yes to that marriage proposal, you’ll probably start collecting bridal magazines (if you don’t already have a collection!) and looking online for ideas for your wedding dress, hairstyle, and shoes. But the rest of the day can be a little scary if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re feeling the pressure, it’s worth hiring a wedding planner to help you through the event — but how do you hire a good wedding planner?

Looking for experience

This is not the time or opportunity to invite friends over to work, because you only get one chance to make things right. You wouldn’t expect a novice to design a custom wedding dress for you and your bridesmaids, so make sure you choose a seasoned professional to help you with the rest of the planning.

Talk to your friends

Just as you would talk to your friends about choosing a designer who specializes in custom wedding gowns, you can ask about their expertise as a wedding ceremony expert. Word of mouth is a powerful tool for sorting out the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Consider your budget

Only when you know what financial resources you have for all aspects of your big day can you decide whether to hire an expert or consider alternatives. There’s no point spending too much money on a professional if it leaves you penniless to arrange for a custom made wedding dress or other item you deem important. You may be able to pay the planner by the hour or as a flat rate for the entire event. Therefore, check the terms and conditions before agreeing to a rental.

What’s your topic?

One of the first questions a planner should ask is about your topic. They want to know what’s special about you and what makes your day even better. You can tell them about your favorite colors and designs, and share ideas you may have seen on other shows, on TV, or in movies.

Invite them to meet your family

Even though the bride and groom think it’s their day, parents might want to say so too! It’s often a good idea for the organizer to get together with all the families involved so they can hear everyone’s point of view and come up with an idea that everyone will be happy about — although of course the person paying for the event has the final say!