Problems

How can you ensure the wedding planner you engage is professional and experienced? One method that really helps is that you can check the internet for a list of members all of which have been investigated and comply with a set of ethics.

Review a few of the sites and dismiss those with poorly presented websites and/or spelling mistakes. If they are not able to get their own material in order what chance is there for your wedding? You can also request for recommendations from family or friends who used a wedding planner for their wedding.

Agree to meet 2 of the planners for a consultation to see if you and the planner get along well because personality is a huge part of being a wedding planner. They will be wise to confidential and personal matters so they have to be a person you trust. Prepare a list of questions to ask them before the meeting so that you can check their suitablility and experience.

Facts to learn about the planner:

- How long they have been in business?

- Is wedding planning their full time business?

- How many weddings have they organized. Can they provide references?

- Do they have a video portfolio for you to look at?

- How do they bill, hourly, fixed fee or a percentage of your wedding budget?

- Do they get commission from suppliers and is it passed on to the client?

- Are they insured and licensed?

What exactly can a planner assist with? Many planners have a mix of tailor made services and packages to choose from so it varies by planner. It really is up to the client what the planner can do for them. After all, every wedding is different.

Some of the things that a wedding planner can do and should do are:

- Preparing your budget & ensuring you stay within it

- Creating a wedding theme and design

- Proposing suitable locations

- Proposing suitable suppliers

- Arranging payments to all suppliers

- Sending invitations

- Handling the wedding day itself

In the end, the wedding planner idea comes down to personal taste and preference.

Whether you pick a friend or a professional learn about the duties of a wedding emcee:
Wedding MC tips
Wedding Master of Ceremonies
Wedding emcee