Hiring a wedding planner is no longer something reserved for the rich and famous.  In fact, a recent survey conducted by Condé Nast Brides magazine found that around 1 in 4 couples employ the services of a wedding planner. 

So how do you go about finding a wedding planner that is right for you?

1.  Start by researching wedding planners in your local area.  Look through wedding magazines, search engines and online directories.  A good starting point is the UK Alliance for Wedding Planners (www.ukawp.com).  All of their members have been fully vetted and agree to adhere to their code of ethics. Remember to ask for recommendations from other brides or wedding professionals.

2. Once you have a list of wedding planners who cover your area, spend some time looking at their websites.  As most wedding planners work from home, their websites are effectively their ‘shop window’.  Do you like what you see?  Explore their services and make contact with them.  When making first contact, do they reply within an acceptable timeframe and offer you more information?  Most wedding planners offer an initial complimentary consultation, which should be at a time and place convenient with you.  Try and arrange to see 2-3 wedding planners.

3.  Your wedding is a hugely personal celebration so it is vital that you feel at ease with your wedding planner.  Did they arrive at the consultation on time, well prepared and smartly presented?  Are they personable?  Did they listen to you and your ideas and show enthusiasm?  Did they offer to show you a portfolio of their work and provide you with references?  Are you confident that they can deliver what you want? 

4.  Take a list of questions with you.  You want to leave the consultation feeling that you can make an informed decision on whether to hire them.  You may wish to ask the following:

How long have they been planning weddings?  Have they undertaken any professional training?  Are they a member of a professional organisation?  Do they hold public liability insurance?  How do they charge, for example, do they charge a flat fee or percentage of the overall cost? How much contact will you have with them throughout the planning process?  How many hours will they work on the wedding day itself?  Are there any additional costs such as travel expenses or extra hours? 

5.  After the consultation, most wedding planners will send a written proposal that summarises the meeting and outlines the services they will offer you.  Check that this is in line with your discussion.  Is it what you expected?  If the quote is more than you can afford, contact them to see if there are any services that could be removed.  If you are happy with the proposal, contact the wedding planner and ask for a contact to sign. 

Written by Suzanne Prout, Owner of RSVP Wedding

RSVP Wedding provides wedding planning services for couples in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon.