Choosing a Wedding Planner I’ve worked to come up with some great tips on choosing a wedding planner! Keep reading for all the knowledge! 1. I know, you’ve heard it before! But I’m going to keep going there! Budget budget budget!!!! If you can’t afford a $4500 wedding planner, then it is just not something you can afford. I’m sorry. So find someone who is in your price range or can offer discounts to put them in your price range! Note! Watch out for vendors who aren’t upfront about their prices. If they’re asking you what you can afford, before offering their normal rate, then they’re probably going to say there price is a little higher than your maximum but then say something along the lines of “but we can give you a special deal!”, just to make the same. When in all reality they’re probably trying to either charge you more or they’re so desperate for business, they’re not running an effective business! If you’ve checked out my website, you can see, unlike most wedding photographers, I list my prices openly. I do this for two reasons 1. Honesty. You’re going to be charged the same price as the next customer that comes along. You get to see through the BS and know you’re not getting scammed. 2. Budget. J I know! But there will be situations, where a client can’t afford my prices, we try to make it easier, with payment plans, but it does happen, to every vendor. Without listing my prices openly, a vendor is wasting your time. 2. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person. So you had better like them! Pick someone who you can get along with and who has a similar personality to you. 3. Once you’ve tackled the first two items, find out if your planner has your wedding date available! There is nothing worse than getting your heart set on the perfect vendor and then finding out they aren’t available. 4. Okay! We’re making progress. This planner fits your budget, you two are great together and your date is available!!! Have a sit down with them, to chat! In case you’re not sure what to ask prior to booking their services, I’ve listed a bunch of great questions! You can ask as few or as many as you need, to get a feel for your wedding planner! Describe the most challenging wedding you’ve planned and how you handled it. How would you rate your problem solving skills? Communications skills? Are you certified?! And where did you get your education? Are you a licensed business? When was the last wedding you planned? If wedding planning isn’t your full time job, how do you balance the two? Are we required to book vendors from your preferred list or do we have the freedom to book with others? Do you take a commission from vendors you refer? Will you be present at all vendor meetings? Will you assist with reviewing contracts? For vendors who will require payment, day of, will you be distributing payments on our behalf? If an issue arises with the vendor day of or before, will you try to resolve on our behalf? Are we able to plan the things we want and leave everything else up to you? In case of an emergency, which prevents you from being there the day of the wedding, who will be your backup? What time will you arrive and leave on wedding day? Will you able to wait for vendors to clear away their things, after the reception? Will you provide us with a time line of the wedding day? Is there a limit on phone calls, texts or meetings we can have? Is the rehearsal included? Do you offer honeymoon planning? After booking with you, how soon can we have a contract? Can you provide a breakdown of our budget? What we should be spending our money on? What is your payment policy? Do you accept credit cards? What is our deposit? When will the balance be due? What is your refund policy? 5. So they passed your test! What next? Tell them you want to book! Review the contract and makes sure everything you discussed is there and sign on the dotted line! Congratulations, you’ve just booked your wedding planner!!!!!
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AuthorTika, photographer, wife & chef, has joined forces with local wedding vendors, to bring you helpful tips to make your wedding day special. Archives
November 2020
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