How to Find the Right Wedding Planner for You

Make sure they're the best person for this all-important job.

Whether it’s just to take some of the pressure off, to ease the organization of an out-of-town event, or to make sure your vision is executed exactly as you have always dreamed it to be, a consultant is an invaluable resource.

By Emily Lasnier

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Photo: Mike Adrian

When we ask the brides and grooms featured in the pages of Inside Weddings what advice they have to offer couples in the process of planning their own celebrations, hiring a planner is frequently cited as a crucial decision. Whether it’s just to take some of the pressure off, to ease the organization of an out-of-town event, or to make sure your vision is executed exactly as you have always dreamed it to be, a consultant is an invaluable resource. However, with the exception of maybe your photographer, your wedding planner is someone you definitely want to make sure is the right fit for you. This is someone you will be in consistent contact with for months, maybe even over a year. You will want someone who is experienced and has good reviews, but it’s also important that you mesh together well. 

how to find the right wedding planner for you

You probably already have a Pinterest board with wedding ideas. When looking through portfolios and meeting with prospective planners, you should make sure that their design sensibilities match your preferred aesthetic. That said, you don’t want someone who is going to automatically agree with everything you suggest. Think of it like a great hairstylist: you want someone who will tell you if a style doesn’t fit your bone structure, right? A consultant should do the same – if the design elements you are proposing don’t complement each other, they should let you know. 

That said, a good planner should be able to express the difficulties of an idea in a kind and polite way. “They should not patronize you,” says expert Linda Howard of Linda Howard Events, adding, “You want to feel comfortable calling him/her and asking the silliest of questions, without being worried that you are an inconvenience. Feel certain that you are being heard.” While you should respect boundaries and not contact your vendor at all hours of the night, you shouldn’t have your concerns dismissed either.  Try to gauge the temperament during the interview process. 

See more of Linda Howard's advice for finding the perfect planner as well as her answers to FAQs from brides. 

Photo by Samuel Lippke Studios; Bridal Gown by Monique Lhuillier; Planning & Design by Linda Howard Events

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