Tips for hiring the right wedding planner
• Services Offered
Find out the specific services each can provide you. Examples: Does the planner provide full wedding planning, day of wedding services, vendor lists, web site help, etc.?
• Professional Background
Review each wedding planner's experience and credentials. How
many weddings has each planned? Ask each about his or her training for the job.
• Written Agreement
Request to see an agreement. Both you and the coordinator should sign a written agreement that denotes what each of you will do.
• Pricing Policy
Some wedding planners charge a percentage of the total wedding costs whereas others charge an hourly rate, fixed fee or a combination.
• Vendor Choices
Will you be obligated to work with vendors recommended by your
planner? If you want a particular vendor not on the planner's list, can you use him or her? Ask your planner specifically.
• Personalized Service
Ask each planner how many other weddings each will be coordinating while working on your wedding. This answer will give you a good idea how much time he or she will have for you. A full-service wedding planner will work on about two to three weddings per month.
• Comfort Level
Because you will be working so closely with your wedding planner for a period of time, you should be comfortable with him or her. Is he or she available when needed? Is he or she a good listener? Do your personalities blend well together?
• Bride Referrals
Before you sign the contract, ask for the names of at least three brides with whom the wedding planner has worked. Then contact each bride and ask her about her experiences.
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1. Spread the news.
Start with your parents, in person, if possible. The time-honored custom of your fiancé asking your dad for "your hand in marriage" is still alive and well. It' s a great way to start off. If you have children, tell them immediately so they can feel that they still have some control over their world. Your co-workers will also want all the details but make sure you still pull your weight at work in the midst of heavy
planning.
2. Set the date.
You and your fiancé can come up with a tentative date. Then check against the schedules of your families to avoid
conflicts.
3. Allow enough time to plan.
Bringing off a big event takes time and careful coordination. In the best of circumstances, allow a year or longer. Remember, vendors and reception sites book well ahead so you need to allow the time to get the date you want. Follow the Wedding Checklist timeline in San Diego Bride & Groom.
4. Hire a wedding planner.
In today' s world, this becomes a virtual necessity and can make your life so much more stress-free. You will probably also save money because a good wedding planner knows the sources that can give you the wedding you want. You won' t have to guess.
5. Make sure the people you book are simpatico.
Just because one vendor has a huge reputation doesn't mean that he or she is right for you. When you start the process of choosing vendors, whether you do it yourself or have your wedding planner suggest sources, visit them in person to make sure you are all on the same channel. You're going to be working together for a long time.
6. Get contracts!
A firm handshake is a good beginning when you reach an agreement with a vendor. However, the only thing that counts is what's in writing. People hear things differently and "I assumed..." doesn't go very far when the South American rare roses you thought you ordered turn into an informal bouquet of field flowers, or your photographer is planning to shoot only in color when you specified black and white.
7. Work together.
Most men today like to be part of the process. You will have to learn the art of give and take to have a successful marriage so you may as well get started now.
Outdoor Ceremonies and Fewer Rituals
Larry Steckling of Your Event By Larry says, I see a growing trend toward outdoor and unusual venue ceremony sites due to the relative unavailability of some churches to handle the volume of weddings here.
I also think that many couples will alter or entirely eliminate the traditional rituals such as the bouquet and garter tosses.
Larger Rehearsal Dinners
He also notes another trend toward large rehearsal dinners. Because we have so many destination weddings in San Diego, there are a number of out-of-state guests who may be at a loss for what to do the night before the wedding,” explains Steckling. The larger rehearsal dinner allows family and friends to bond more closely because a larger percentage of the guest list is in attendance.
Separate Civil Ceremony
Steckling also observes a growing number of bridal couples who have their civil ceremony many months prior to their more religious and formal ceremony where many friends and relatives are invited. "This tends to take the pressure off of the bridal couple so they can concentrate on the details of wedding planning much better and, in turn, enjoy their special day that much more!"
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