| 1. What is your experience in planning weddings? | | | | very important and avoids confusion. |
| Ask for specific examples complete with photos and | | | | 11. Are you available for all meetings with the caterer, |
| testimonials. | | | | location and other vendors? |
| 2. How long have you been in business & how many | | | | The answer to this question gives you insight into how |
| weddings have you done? | | | | much your wedding planner cares about even the |
| Look for a wedding planner who has experience and | | | | smallest of details. Ask if the planner will be there to |
| knows the ins and outs of wedding planning. | | | | walk you through these important steps. |
| 3. What will you offer me for your services? | | | | 12. Will you personally attend my wedding? |
| Ask the planner to spell out what his or her services | | | | A professional wedding planner will always say yes. If |
| are in specific detail. A sample written proposal should | | | | not, ask why and be cautious of anyone who says |
| be available at the initial meeting. A written proposal | | | | they will not attend. *See #14 |
| specific to your wedding should follow the initial | | | | 13. If you cannot attend my wedding? Who is your |
| meeting. | | | | backup? Is there an extra charge? Will I be able to |
| 4. Do you provide a contract? | | | | meet him or her beforehand? |
| A professional wedding planner will provide you with a | | | | Some planners have an assistant or staff that may |
| contract outlining his or her terms of service. It should | | | | attend. There should not be any extra fees for this. |
| include a clause about cancellations. | | | | 14. What is in your wedding emergency kit? |
| 5. How much of my time do you expect planning my | | | | A professional wedding planner will show it to you or |
| wedding will take? | | | | give you a list of its contents. It should include items |
| Ask for a schedule and ballpark figures on how much | | | | from a sewing needle and thread to aspirin. |
| time you will spend on making decisions for your | | | | 15. Do you charge for travel or is it included in your |
| wedding. | | | | fee? |
| 6. Can you work within my budget? | | | | Ask to have this spelled out in his or proposal. |
| A good wedding planner will be honest with you on the | | | | 16. Give me some problem scenarios and how you |
| subject of what it will cost to make the wedding you | | | | fixed them. |
| want. He or she will figure in his or her fee and not | | | | A good wedding planner will give you examples of |
| surprise you when it comes time to settle up. | | | | weddings similar to your situation. |
| 7. Is this your full-time or part-time job? If this is your | | | | 17. Do you require a deposit to get started? When is |
| part-time job, will you make my wedding a priority? Do | | | | the final payment due? |
| you foresee any conflicts in this situation? | | | | This should be spelled out in his or her proposal at your |
| A part-time planner is often less expensive than a | | | | initial meeting. |
| full-time wedding planner. Just be sure you are | | | | 18. Do you charge for the initial meeting? |
| comfortable with his or her arrangement. | | | | There should never be a charge for the first meeting. |
| 8. Do you double book weddings? If you do, will there | | | | Both parties come to the table to discuss how they will |
| be any conflicts on the day or weekend of my | | | | work together. Think of it as an interview. |
| wedding? | | | | 19. Do you have any formal event planning education? |
| Some wedding planners manage this quite well. Ask | | | | Formal education from a finishing school, culinary, |
| the planner his or her plans to make sure your | | | | design or hospitality school is a plus, especially when |
| wedding is first priority. | | | | the wedding planner has other essential qualifications. |
| 9. Who backs you up? Do you have extra staff and is | | | | Membership in a professional organization shows that |
| there an extra charge? | | | | a wedding planner cares about his or her reputation |
| Ask the wedding planner to be specific. You do not | | | | and is committed to their profession. |
| want any surprises on your wedding day. | | | | 20. What will you not do? |
| 10. Do we pay you one fee and then you pay the | | | | This is probably the second most important question. |
| vendors, or do we pay the vendors individually? | | | | Ask your wedding planner to spell this out in his or her |
| Many vendors require deposits or final payments | | | | proposal and/or agreement. |
| before your event. Knowing the payment structure is | | | | |