Do I need a wedding/event planner?

It’s the one thing that seems to be a luxury but turns out to be necessity, but once you make the decision to book one, it’s 50% of the job done. 

Working with an event/wedding planner saves you two things:

1. Time – sifting through options for vendors, trying to make the best decisions, trying to determine what you really want.

2. Money – is this a good price, is better available? How do I know what everything will cost? 

When you seek out an event/wedding planner you’re more than likely doing so because you know you need the assistance; either you don’t have the time to do it yourself or the expertise for what’s required. 

(If you have the time and don’t mind the planning, then you need a coordinator instead.  Read the difference here.)

So how do you know who’s best for you? Research, ask for referrals and then have a conversation with options. It’s important for you to have a good fit/vibe as you will be working together closely for a while 😊

Here are some questions you can ask to determine if a partnership will work.

What services do they offer?

This is important to know because it will indicate whether a prospective planner has the capability to meet your event requirements. Can they secure a venue if necessary? Can they book entertainment and organize catering?

For weddings, do they do all the planning or coordination on the day only.  Can they support you with booking your vendors, managing your budget etc. 

What are their areas of expertise?

Finding out if they specialize in specific type of events or even specific industries will be a good way to discover if the prospective planner will be a good fit for the type of event you are having.

What is their fee and what’s included?

One of the most important questions to ask. You should find out how they charge; is it a flat fee, is it hourly or per person. Are there any additional fees that may pop up along the way. You should also find out when they expect payment and in what forms they accept payment.

Who will work on the event?

Do they work alone or do they have a team.  Find out who will be your main contact during the whole process and how much other staff or personnel may be involved with your event.

Once you have decided to work with one, be ready to provide the following information to help the planner:

𝐖𝐇𝐎 – Will it be your friends and families or will it be your coworkers or clients? Knowing who will be attending the event and their relationship to you, the host of the event, will make the type of event it should be clear to the planner. This translates to: how many guests will you be having.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 – What is the budget? Probably the most important question, this will let the planner know if everything you want can realistically be achieved or if adjustments and compromises will need to be made. It is understood that you may not have an idea of what things cost, but start by thinking about what you will ideally like to spend on the entire wedding.

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 – When the event is taking place? This could be an exact date, a time of day and/or a season. Either way, this question is designed to help the planner envision the theme and tone of the event.

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 – Where will the event take place? Is it local or destination? Is it indoor or outdoor? The beach? Poolside? A particular geographical area (East, West, North etc)?  This is one of the primary questions to answer because the location of your event then influences design and logistics.

𝐇𝐎𝐖 – This is an umbrella question, it gives the planner insight into exactly how you, the client, envision everything coming together. Think decor, entertainment, menu and/or logistics. What do you want to happen at the event, how do you want to feel on the day. What experience do you want persons to have?

These are the questions we get you talking about during our FREE booking consultations (done virtually or via phone). 

Click on the button below and let’s chat about your next event.