If you’re planning your wedding and have been looking into retaining the services of a wedding planner, you’ve probably realized that it’s difficult to differentiate between a true, independent wedding planner and a wedding coordinator  who works for or has ties to a wedding services vendor .

Search for a professional independent wedding planner who will see to your every need, from the initial planning meeting to the last dance. Your wedding planner should interview you and your groom  to gain a full understanding of your vision for your special day . Your wedding planner should then offer you vendor choices based on your vision and budget  and arrange  and attend vendor interviews with you.

The wedding planner should also objectively evaluate vendor contracts and provide you with expert advice so that you can make informed decisions.

Your wedding planner should be prepared to do everything necessary to make sure your wedding runs smoothly, and shouldn’t be afraid to take on basic tasks the day of the wedding.
Ask your planner what other  services they  offer, such as invitations and accessories .

Jeff Kolodny Photography

When you interview wedding planners, make sure to ask them about their level of experience. You should look for a planner who has a wide variety of experience and avoid a planner whose only experience is her own wedding. Ask potential wedding planners how much they charge for their services. You’ll find that some planners charge by the hour, some do an estimate of the time your wedding will require, some charge a flat fee, and still others work on a percentage of your wedding budget basis.

Also find out what each wedding planner’s procedure will be on the day of your wedding. You should look for a wedding planner who will stay with you throughout the ceremony and reception to coordinate your time line for the entire day, making  sure everything runs smoothly. Ask potential wedding planners what their contingency plans are if they are unable to perform their services on your wedding day.

Feel free to ask for  references, including at last one vendor reference. Most consultants will provide you with a free initial consultation, which can be the best way to learn more about their services and allow you to determine whether or not you can work together effectively.

Munoz Photography

The main point to remember when hiring a wedding planner is that you want to make sure to work with someone who thinks of you first and is determined to make your wedding day the best it can possibly be.

Why do you need a Wedding Planner? Here’s why! In our economy today , a wedding planner is no longer a “ trendy” luxury for the wealthy, but rather essential to a well planned celebration. As couples begin planning their wedding, they are often confused as to how much to spend, how to find vendors and are they reliable. These worries grow as quickly as the cost of the wedding.

After the euphoria wears off and the reality settles in, it’s shocking to discover how much preparation and details are  involved from deciding on a guest list  to plans for  honeymoon. Most important, how to manage the budget . Wedding coordinators through their training, knowledge and most of all experience will help guide and assist you in making informed decisions.

A wedding planner is experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, and  save you  valuable time and money,  guiding you to vendors with reputable backgrounds with whom they have worked with and and are tried and tested. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes by being creative with your dollars.

The goal is not  to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions which save you money, time and mistakes.Most important , to create a distinctive event which truly reflects your personalities and vision . And perhaps the  most  important, your wedding coordinator  will be be with you on your wedding day allowing you and your family to enjoy your special day without having to pay attention to the details.

Jon Buick from Xquisite Events

The picture above is  designer/ florist extraordinaire , Jon Buick of Xquisite Events creating a floral arrangement on site for a bride. An essential part of a stress free celebration is  a team of vendors  put together by your planner , who work  together with the  goal of making your day special and different , so you will walk into the reception and say , Wow…..