I know what you’re thinking…that this is going to be a pretty biased blog post. Afterall, I’m a wedding planner. Surely I’m going to say you definitely need to hire a planner and, of course, that you really need to make sure that planner is me!

Well folks, I promise that’s not going to happen. Having a wedding planner isn’t for every couple. And I’m not the perfect wedding planner for every couple.

Like all things in the wedding industry you need to do your research and work out if hiring a planner is the right thing for you to do for your wedding. And if it is? Well, you need to make sure that you work with the right wedding planner for you.

Here are my top tips on whether you should be thinking about hiring a wedding planner and, if so, how you know who to hire.

**Spoiler alert - I’m not the perfect wedding planner for everyone. And that’s ok!**

What do you want your WEDDING planner to do for you?

Firstly ask yourself a few questions.

Are you someone who loves planning, thrives on being organised but you also know you’re going to want to hand that responsibility over when it comes to the final few weeks leading up to the wedding?

Or, have you just started out on your planning journey? You’ve got a date, booked your venue and have realised you just don’t have the time or energy to put into all the research, so you want someone to step in and help you out.

Perhaps you started out planning, you’ve done a lot yourselves but circumstances have changed and now you need a hand.

If any of the above resonate with you then it sounds like a wedding planner would be a perfect addition to your team. Most planners - including me - offer different services from full wedding planning right up to on the day co-ordination or helping out with the final few weeks.

Have a good think and be really clear about what it is you’re looking for from a planner. What do you want them to do for you and why do you want them in the first place? Once you’re clear about your expectations and have an idea of the service that you’re looking for then you can move on to the next stage…finding the perfect planner for you!

Now, I say all this because not every couple benefits from having a planner. It’s definitely not the right service for all.

If you’re very organised, like to be in control, want to know what’s going on at every stage and want to be kept in the loop at all times then you will probably really struggle to let go and trust your wedding planner to crack on and get things done.

In that case having a planner isn’t going to be the best idea. It will be uncomfortable for everyone and your wedding planner might feel like they’re being micro-managed. No one wants that!

Remember, hiring a planner isn’t right for all couples, and that’s ok!

Be upfront and honest

This is in regards to what you’re looking for from a planner, but most importantly, be completely upfront and honest with your chosen or prospective planner about your budget. Right from the get go.

I know it can be tricky to talk money but please don’t be vague about how much you are able or comfortable to spend. When couples come to me and are unsure or reluctant to say how much they are going to spend I liken it to buying a car… you’ll already have an idea if you’re going to be checking out a Ferrari or Fiat dealership depending on what you want and can afford to spend.

The same applies here. You’ll have an upper limit that you’re happy to go to but not beyond. So be open about that. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. All it does is allow the planner to then be upfront with you and let you know if that budget is reflective of what they can offer you.

Do your research

This is so important.

I know it probably feels like you’ve spent all your time thinking about wedding things but I promise, if you put in the work and get this decision right then everything else on the journey will be so much easier.

Look at the style of wedding planners out there. All planners will have social media and a website. Those will showcase the style and vibe of the weddings they’ve been involved with. You need to get a really good idea of if their style fits in with your vision for the day. For example, if you’re quite traditional and want a very classic, elegant wedding then there’s no point employing a planner who works on very modern, un-traditional and contemporary weddings. The right planner for you is out there, you just need to find them!

It’s also a good idea to understand where your planner is based. You might want a planner who is based in the area / country where you’re planning to get married. They’ll be your boots on the ground. The advantages are they’ll know the area well. They’ll know the venues and they’ll likely have a close network of suppliers they can call on.

Alternatively you might want to work with a planner who is based near you but will help you plan your wedding elsewhere.

Both services exist, it’s just a case of understanding which one is right for you. When you get in touch with prospective planners don’t be afraid to ask where they are physically based as opposed to where they offer their services.

And last, but by no means least…

Personality!

This is key.

You could reach out to the right style of planner. They’re based where you want them to be based. You know exactly what you want from them and the budget fits. But if you don’t gel then a good working relationship just isn’t going to happen.

You really do need to hit it off from a personality point of view. By its very nature, wedding planning is quite an intimate service. If you’ve booked in for full planning you’re potentially going to be working with this person for over a year. It’s so important you have a good connection.

Yes, it’s a working relationship, but it’s a very personal working relationship. You need to click, get on and know that they ‘get you’ and that you ‘get them’ in order for this to work really well for you all.

If you’re just not gelling then it won’t be a good experience.

I hope you find those tips useful and if you do want to chat to me about wedding planning and the services I offer then I’d love to hear from you.

How and Why Should You Hire a Wedding Planner?

What do you want your WEDDING planner to do for you?

Be upfront and honest

Do your research

And last, but by no means least…