When all is said and done your gut feeling should…
But here are a few questions you can ask to determine whether you have found the right person or to keep looking;
Are you available on my wedding date?
As obvious as it may seem this is one question that you must not forget to ask; especially if you have already locked in the wedding date. All other discussions will be null and void if the wedding planner is already booked on your wedding date.
What are the exact services that you offer?
It is important to find out before hand what exactly they plan to handle as far as your wedding goes. Do they offer day of wedding coordination or end to end planning? Will they assist to source for vendors and negotiate for good deals? Can you look forward to them liaising with vendors on your behalf? Or brainstorming on your wedding ideas? What about the wedding day? Will they be on-site to coordinate and oversee everything on the wedding day? Feel free to ask them to take you through what they will do on the wedding day from start to finish. That way you will know exactly what you’re signing up for and what to expect. Remember to include these details in the contract.
How much do you charge?
Decide beforehand how much you are prepared to pay a wedding planner and look for a planner that fits your budget. Some planners charge a percentage (e.g. 10-15%) of the wedding budget and they might also want to know how many people you plan on inviting as it will give them a feel of how much work will go into the wedding panning. Know these numbers before you start sourcing for a planner.
| See More Photos From This Wedding Here | Photography By: Japheth Kagondu |
Can I see photos of your previous work and do you have any references I can speak to?
Your planner will probably already have their work displayed on their website or on social media. If not, ask to see their work to gauge their level of skill and also whether you like their style. Also ask for some references you can speak to; brides the planner has worked with previously. It is not enough that the photos look great, you also need to find out whether the planner was organized, easy to work with and whether they enjoyed working with them. If the planner is unable to give you references then I suggest you run for the hills.
Can you help us cut the costs? How would you go about it?
A wedding planner’s role includes, among other things, to source for vendors who offer quality services at affordable prices. So they should have ideas as to how they will achieve that. Do they have preferred vendors who would give you a discount? Do they have cost saving ideas?
How often will we meet? How will we stay in touch?
This question will give you a glimpse into how this person works. Do they prefer to meet every so often will they share inspiration and ideas with you and how often. You will also be able to know what the entire wedding planning journey will look like. What things will the wedding planner want to tackle first and within what timelines? Do they sound organized in their ideas?
| See More Photos From This Wedding Here | Photography By: Allan Gichigi |
Describe the most challenging wedding you planned and how did you handle the problems that came up?
The wedding planner’s response to this question will reveal their problem solving skill and their resourcefulness. These two qualities are very crucial for event organizers because when planning a wedding you will inevitably come across challenges. You want a planner who can think fast on their feet and apply practical and creative solutions.