Do you hear the wedding bells ringing? Are you ready to tie the knot? If you just said, “yes” to the love of your life and ready to walk down that aisle, then let the celebration begin.
Speaking of celebrations, have you figured out yet how you want your wedding to be?
The Journey Down the Aisle
As a bride, you are surely excited about how your wedding would be. You might have dreamed of this special moment in your life. Whether you’ve been taking notes and cutting pages off bridal magazines since you were young or have just recently thought of marriage, you would certainly want this milestone to go as smoothly as possible.
Before the blushing bride-to-be becomes Bridezilla, it would be best to get everything for the wedding. However dreamy a wedding may be, the fact remains that the road to a perfect wedding celebration lies with a lot of careful planning. Regardless of the size or concept of your wedding, you would most assuredly benefit from the experience and expertise of a wedding event planner.
High-caliber wedding planners are definitely a bride’s best friends. When it comes to preparing for the Big Day, reputable wedding planners make sure that everything is in place. From consultation, to planning, to the actual execution and management of the day itself, these wedding specialists will ensure that you get to say “I do” just as you have always dreamed of.
How then will you land this diamond of a wedding planner? Where will you find this mistress of matrimonial celebrations? Here are simple tips to find the perfect wedding planner for the wedding of your dreams:
1. What do you want?
Before you go gaga over getting the best wedding planner in town, make sure to check what you want first.
While most would contend that weddings are a bride’s dominion, it would be best to involve your groom especially about big-ticket items. Some grooms actually do appreciate being asked for their opinion on wedding matters. Major decisions would ideally be best made together since this is part of your journey towards forever.
Sit down and discuss how you want to celebrate your union. Do you want a small, intimate affair or a huge wedding with all the bells and whistles? Do you have a concept in mind? Would you spring for a destination wedding? What is your budget?
Taking time to have a healthy discussion about wedding matters is important. Not only will this give you a chance to know each other better but also give you time to bond by making decisions together.
2. Do your research.
After you’ve both agreed on the basics regarding your wedding, then it’s time to call in the cavalry. First and foremost, you will need a trustworthy, smart, and efficient wedding planner.
Your wedding planner would be like your second-in-command (as you are the Queen and Commander-in-Chief in this shindig). A wedding planner’s role is crucial from start to end, as you will entrust your dream wedding in their capable hands. From the smallest and most intricate detail such as what table napkins to use up to ensuring that fireworks are lit at the exact moment you kiss after your first dance, a wedding planner and her team’s masterful execution of what you planned together is critical to the celebration’s success.
Ask around your network if they can refer a wonderful wedding planner. Get recommendations from trusted friends and family members. They may have worked with a wedding planner that have translated their wildest dreams into reality and would want you to have a magnificent one, as well.
You can also look up top-rated wedding planners online. Go through their websites and scroll through their portfolios. Check out the breadth of services or packages they offer. Do they on the-the-day coordination? Do they offer partial or full planning? Can they recommend professional services such as photographers, audio-visual suppliers, or even arrange transportation? Can they scout beach wedding locations or suggest wedding venues?
Read up on the reviews they got from previous clients. If you can, send a private message to their former customers and ask if the wedding planning team have indeed delivered on the promised services.
3. Meet up.
After you’ve made your shortlist of wedding planner candidates, schedule an appointment with each one.
Meeting in person will give you the chance to know more about the wedding planner, how he or she works, and the chemistry that you may or may not have together. It is important that your personalities mesh well as you will be spending a lot of time together planning the wedding.
Go with the planner that most jives with both your and your groom’s personalities. It is best that the air is clear while you plan your wedding celebration so you can have the best of fun. Be clear with your expectations with each other so there are no blurred lines as the preparations move along.
4. Ask the right questions.
When you meet with the planner of choice, sit down and carefully discuss the details of how you want your wedding to be.
Ask the right questions such as what their expertise is, if they have experienced working with your preferred suppliers, or if they have encountered any challenges with the venue that you have in mind. Find out if the planner will be working alone or with a team. Be ready to present the planner with your non-negotiables, if any, and if there is any compromises that you can make to meet each other halfway.
Along the way, make sure that you keep communication lines open. Agree beforehand how often you can contact each other or how often you can meet to prepare for the wedding.
5. Read the fine print.
When you have met and discussed the wedding preparations, make sure that you draft a contract. It is always best to put everything in writing so you can refer to it if and when anything goes awry.
If the contract comes from the wedding planner’s side, make sure to read the fine print. Go through each item carefully and see if everything that you have discussed is there or if there’s anything missing. Be especially clear about the budget and fees involved. Similarly, if you are drafting the contract, ask the wedding planner to go through it as meticulously as you do.
Ask questions if you are unclear about an item. It is best to be clear at the onset so you can avoid unnecessary troubles along the way.
Say, “I do”!
When you have all your concerns addressed, then do not delay and sign on with the wedding planner of your choice. It is vital that you are fully invested in your choice so you can have the best time preparing for and celebrating your wedding.
With an efficient and competent planner by your side, you can be sure that you will walk down the aisle looking as beautiful as you should be.
AUTHOR BIO
Masha Cain is a founder and a managing director of Fabulous Day Weddings & Events. Masha’s idea of having a wedding planning agency came from having a wedding planner at her own wedding. Now, 5 years later, there are over 100 successful weddings designed and planned by Masha and her team.