Looking for a wedding planner is often the first of many things on your nuptial to do list. The good thing is, once it's out of the way, you've got someone on your team to help you get the rest of the items on that list crossed off.
Do you go with the person your sister used? What about that planner you met at the bridal show? Sometimes finding a planner is much like finding a partner. Sometimes you have to shop around, other times, you just know.
Here are five things to look for in a wedding planner:
1. A solid portfolio
Wedding planning services often come from word of mouth. Chances are, if they were recommended to you by family and friends, they’re a safe bet. But your taste might be different from your cousin, and you may have hated that wedding. That’s why it’s crucial to look at your potential wedding planner’s portfolio. Look for pictures, reviews, and social media activity, whether they’ve got a good following and how in demand they are.
2. Knowledge of all-things-wedding
Until taking the plunge, it’s hard to know which venues are the hot spots, which florist is the best and which DJ will keep the crowd on their feet. It’s not uncommon for couples to ask their wedding planner for recommendations. And while it’s safe to take them, try to make sure your wedding planner isn’t just giving you names in exchange for commission. You want to ensure you’re working with someone who has a deep knowledge of everything from linen suppliers to cake decorators—and not just because they say they’re good, but because they’re what your big day needs.
3. Personality
Personality is as important in a wedding planner as it is in your partner. You’re going to be in constant communication with this person for the next several months, so it’s important that your personalities mesh. Ideally, your wedding planner is someone you can have coffee with, vent to and someone you’d trust with ensuring your entire bridal party is accounted for the morning of the big day. They’re somewhat of a friend, employee and boss all in one.
4. Pricing
This goes two ways. You want to make sure your wedding planner is within your price range, but you also want to make sure they can plan a wedding within what you’ve allocated for the occasion. Ask about their pricing in detail, line by line if it means no unexpected (and costly) surprises.
5. Passion
More than anything, a passionate wedding planner is the divide between someone who does the job right and someone who just does the job. Find out what made them want to go into wedding planning. Make sure there’s a fire in their eyes when they visualize your big day with you. If it matters to you, it should matter to them. And if it matters to them, your big day will be exactly what you dreamed of.
Like partners, wedding planners won't always be perfect. But in both cases, we can only wish for someone well-rounded and able to compliment the parts of ourselves that need it the most.