How do I choose my wedding planner? Why do I need one anyway?
"If I haven't reduced your stress level, then I haven't done my job," says a New York City-based wedding planner.
For any bride to be, the prospect of planning a wedding can be both exciting and daunting. There is so much to think about, and its not always clear where to start. There are a few questions about your wedding you need to ask yourself when you’re trying to figure out why you need a wedding planner and who will that be. How big is the wedding? Where will it take place? What time of year do you want to plan it for? All weddings should be planned and orchestrated by a capable wedding planner, because let’s face it, it’s a happy yet stressful time, and you probably don’t want to stress even more because of all the research you need to do to in order to find, select and appoint the various suppliers and service providers. Planners have already done their research and legwork, and are in the know when it comes to every single detail that goes into a wedding. They also know what works and what doesn’t, and when a wedding might pose some significant and unique logistical challenges, such as tented weddings, outdoor weddings or destination weddings.
While there is no doubt that wedding planners give great value for money, you may be surprised to find that they can actually also save you money. They will be able to stick to your budget and allocate the funds in a more efficient and effective way, with no last minute surprises. A good planner can also squeeze a lot more out of vendors, as they are repeat business for them, whereas any bride is usually (and hopefully) a one time client. A planner is only as good as their vendors are, and a good planner is able to secure the best quality vendors, and demand the best from them.
A good wedding planner should also be a good listener and communicator, to understand the bride’s vision for her wedding, and communicate that vision to all the vendors and suppliers. Also, a good wedding planner must be a master of crises management and conflict resolution. Everything should go smooth and well, but if it doesn’t, you need a capable person at the helm to help manage the situation and ensure the event is a success regardless of what unexpected issues may arise. Just like a pilot on a plane, things are always perfect, but just in case there is an emergency, you want the best pilot in the cockpit!
The best way to find a good wedding planner is through recommendations from friends and vendors. Many planners have their own websites, which is another good place to start.
When picking your planner ask yourself the following:
- Are they organized?
- Are they presentable?
- Do you feel comfortable with them?
- Are they friendly?
- Are they knowledgeable?
- Do they have any references and recommendations?
- Are they within your budget?
- Did you see examples of weddings they have planned in the past?
Finally, it is advisable to meet with several planners and compare their credentials and personalities before choosing the right person to work with, because when you meet them in person you can gauge the chemistry and comfort between you two and in the end, you will be able to choose someone that will help you sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.
Zainab ALSALIH
Founder of Carousel
