Choosing the right wedding planner is pivotal to making your dream wedding a reality. But how do you ensure you’re picking someone who aligns perfectly with your vision and expectations? The key lies in asking the right questions. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the essential *20 questions to ask a wedding planner that will help you gauge their experience, style, and how well they can bring your wedding aspirations to life. From understanding their planning process to figuring out the finer details of your big day, these questions are your first step towards a beautifully orchestrated wedding. Whether you’re wondering about budget management, design, vendor coordination, or how they handle unexpected challenges, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover the crucial queries that will empower you to make an informed decision about who should plan your wedding.

*These questions are meant to serve as a basis of what you should be considering when talking with a planner, not necessarily a list of rapid fire asks. Most of these questions will be answered organically during a consultation, and some won’t apply to you at all, depending on the level of service you’re interested in. I always suggest going in to any vendor consult with a few questions that are important to you, and make a mental note of the rest.

The Basics:

1. Are you available on our wedding date?
2. What levels of service do you offer, and what is the average investment of the service most aligned with my needs?
   • The most common planner offerings are:
     • “Full Planning” or “Full Planning & Design”
     • “Partial Planning” or “Guided Planning & Design”
     • “Wedding Management,” “Day of Coordination,” or “Month of Coordination”
3. How many team members will be present on our wedding day? Will they be there all day?
   • Water to Wine clients can expect to see 1-3 planners and coordinators on site and overlapping at various times of the day.
4. What are the common misconceptions about what planners and coordinators do/do not handle? Are there any tasks that are not included, but commonly assumed you’ll handle?
5. Can you outline the major differences between your services or offerings?
6. What are the payment terms and do you hold dates?
7. What is required to secure our date?

As you consider these basic yet crucial questions, it’s essential to delve deeper and explore what truly sets a wedding planner apart from the rest. The next questions will help you get to know the planner’s style, process, and ultimately why they’re the must-have planner for your wedding!

What Sets a Planner Apart

1. Can you describe your wedding planning style and process?
2. How hands-on will we need to be during the planning process, depending on the service we book with you?
3. How do you decide what vendors you’ll recommend to us?
4. Is there a style or aesthetic that you’re known for? Will you adapt to our vision and style?
5. What are the parameters for how you’ll help us budget?
6. What strategies do you use to create a wedding design that reflects our personalities and love story?
7. How much access do we have to a planner before the wedding day, if we book a coordination package?
8. What kind of technology do you use to keep everything organized?
9. How do you handle unexpected challenges on the wedding day?
10. What is your management or coordination style like on the wedding day?
11. How much do your clients typically spend on their weddings? Does it differ depending on the level of service?
12. Can you help us determine if our budget is realistic for our vision?
13. How will you help us envision our wedding, if it’s difficult for us to imagine?

Selecting the right wedding planner is about more than just finding someone who can manage logistics and stick to a budget. It’s about partnering with a professional who understands your vision, communicates effectively, and makes the entire planning process enjoyable. At Water to Wine Events, we pride ourselves on our detailed approach that merges your personal story with exquisite design elements to create an unforgettable wedding day.

If you feel ready to discuss how we can make your wedding vision a reality, we would love to hear from you. Schedule a consultation with us today, and let’s start crafting a day that perfectly encapsulates your love story. Your dream wedding awaits, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Click here to schedule your consultation.

Photos: April M Payne Photography