The whole reason you’d want to hire a wedding planner is so they can take over the myriad details of your wedding. But if you hire the wrong one, your dreamed-of day could turn into a nightmare.
That’s because each wedding planner offers different services at different price points, and you need to have everything clear ahead of time.
So here’s what to ask before you hire your wedding planner.
Are you a certified wedding planner?
Your sister’s best friend from college may be great at planning weddings, but unless she has a business license and a certificate from a well-known training organization, you’re taking a chance.
And always ask to see their professional portfolio and references.
What services do you offer?
If you’re looking for someone to take over everything, you’ll be disappointed to find out your wedding planner only swoops in to finalize details in the weeks just before the event.
The three most common types of services are:
Full-service: This type of wedding planner helps with everything from finding vendors, to scheduling, to making sure you stay within budget.
Partial planning: This means different things to different wedding planners, but typically they simply add the finishing touches on all the plans you’ve already made.
Day-of coordinator: This type of planner shows up on the big day to handle any last-minute crises.
What is your fee structure?
Some planners charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour, or even a percentage of the wedding budget.
Also discuss payment terms. How much of a down payment do they expect? Which payment methods do they accept? What about cancellation fees?
Make a list beforehand of everything you expect the planner to do: build your website, plan the menu, organize the rehearsal dinner, select bachelor/bachelorette gifts, coordinate transportation and lodging, etc., and be sure it’s included in the contract.
Finally, before signing the contract ask yourself if you trust the person and feel comfortable with them, and whether you communicate well.
If you haven’t selected your wedding venue, you owe it to yourself to consider the Historic Alfred I. duPont Building in downtown Miami.
A popular wedding and reception location, the duPont Building recently hosted the fabulous Hollywood wedding of renowned actress, singer, and producer Danielle Brooks, and was featured on the cover of MunaLucha Bride, as well as within the pages of Vogue and Vanity Fair.