Tips on Choosing a Wedding Planner
 Emily McCollin

There are so many decisions to make when planning a wedding, but after choosing the groom, the wedding planner might be your next most important decision.  A professional wedding planner is able to relieve your planning burden so that you can focus on enjoying the overall experience.  Choosing a planner can be challenging, but not as complicated as you might think.  Here are a few basic tips to help you choose the best planner for you.

• Personally interview the planner.  You are not necessarily looking for a best friend, stand-in mom, or soul mate when you choose a planner.  Instead, you should feel at-ease with this person and able to trust his/her experience and wisdom.  You must be able to be honest about your needs/wants/desires and confident that the planner will help you make decisions with your best interests at heart.  Remember that a planner is there to alleviate stress, not create it.

• Be clear on fees and make sure that the planner fits your budget.  Many planners work with a flat fee structure, some charge hourly rates, while still others charge a percentage of the total wedding expenses.  Make sure you choose the planner with a fee structure that allows you to not think about it again for the rest of your engagement.  For example, if you are someone who needs to meet with the planner every other week for ten months, then you will need to plan in advance to pay that person for the additional meetings, or find someone who places no constraints on meeting frequency.  Settling all money issues up front prevents worrying over mounting expenses and surprise bills on your wedding day.

• Always feel free to ask for references.  Many planners  post reference-style letters from past clients on their websites.  You can also ask to contact a planner’s past clients, or vendors who regularly work with the planner.  These people can tell you how your planner responds under pressure and if the overall services met client expectations.

• Make sure your planner has an understanding of wedding traditions such as on which side the groom’s parents sit and who should offer toasts at the reception.  This understanding of traditional etiquette is helpful as a guide or starting point for your plans.  Your planner should also be open to trying new things that fit your personality and desires.  Each wedding is unique and should be a reflection of the bride, groom, their families, and guests.

Finally, remember that there are a few things that do not matter.  Your planner may not have previously worked at the facility you already booked, or may have a different recommended vendor list from those you have already chosen.  Not to worry!  A professional planner will be completely flexible and happy for the opportunity to work in new places with new people.

For a directory of planners in the Western North Carolina region, check out ashevillebridal.com.  This list is fairly comprehensive and includes contact information.  Choosing an excellent planner early on will help you enjoy the overall experience of your wedding planning instead of stressing over each decision.  By following these few basic tips, you can find the wedding planner who will help you the most, and one who is the best match for your unique personality and needs.

Emily McCollin
828.808.8888
emily@occasionsbyemily.com
www.occasionsbyemily.com
Owner, Occasions by Emily, a wedding and event management company

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