Top 5 Questions to Ask Wedding Planners
Wedding planners are not one-size-fits-all. Every planner has a different approach to working with their couples. We always recommend talking to a few different planners before booking to make sure you’ve found the right fit. Here are the top five questions to ask wedding planners and why.
When do we start working together?
The number one question to ask wedding planners is when you will begin working together. Are you expecting them to meet with you right away and take over the planning process for you? Or are you looking for more minimal help closer to your wedding date? Your answer to those questions will determine the type of package you’re looking for. Someone wanting immediate help is most likely in need of a full service planner, while the latter is looking for a coordinator.
When working with BNCo, our Full Planning clients will start working with their planner right away. Coordination couples begin working with their coordinator 90 days before their wedding day.
What does day-of with you look like?
The next question to ask wedding planners is what a typical wedding day with them will look like. Some planners are more hands on than others, are on site for different amounts of time, and will be involved with different steps of the day.
A Wedding Day with Bianca Nichole and Co
A typical wedding day with BNCo starts off with loading our car with our handy emergency kit. This is a kit full of any items you may need in an emergency: a tide to go pen, safety pins, first aid kit, black bowtie, and much more. You’ve likely started hair and makeup, and are hopefully sipping on a mimosa and listening to your favorite tunes. We arrive on site along with your first set-up vendors, typically your florist or rental company. While you’re enjoying your time with your best friends, we’ll set up your personal items (card box, guest book, etc), and ensure your vendors are on track and taken care of.
Next, we’ll assist in pinning any boutonnieres and drying off bouquets before photos begin. Once it’s time to seal the deal, we ensure each vendor is in place and ready to go, while lining up your family and wedding party. After you make it official, we greet you with your drink of choice and make sure your marriage license is taken care of with your officiant.
Throughout the rest of the night, we’re behind the scenes keeping everything on track. We’ll check in with you to ensure you’ve eaten your dinner, have a fresh drink in hand, and know when anything important is coming up. Before any formalities, we’ll check in with whoever is involved to make sure they are prepped and ready to go. Later in the night while you’re dancing the night away, we’ll start getting your personal decor, cards and gifts packed up and ready to go. After we send you off with a hug and one final congratulations, we’ll make sure your items get sent home with your designated people, and ensure your vendors wrap up their duties.
Do you put together a timeline/layout?
While this may seem standard, it’s still a good question to ask wedding planners! Putting together a timeline or layout might seem straight forward, but there are many more considerations than the obvious. When creating your layout, your planner will ensure the space is functional in every way. Are there outlets where needed? Is there enough room for guests and catering to walk comfortably? Will the dance floor be large enough for your guest count?
Just like layouts, your planner can build a timeline with all the little details accounted for that you might not think of. This can range from ensuring there’s enough time scheduled into photos for you to get dressed, to making sure your vendors will have adequate time to set up and tear down.
Do you manage vendor communication?
Communication with vendors can be more time consuming than you might expect. Most weddings have 8+ vendors, which means 8+ different conversations at any given time. Because of this, a great question to ask wedding planners is if they manage vendor communication, and when. Some planners will manage vendor communication from the initial inquiry, all the way through wedding day. Other times, like a planner who is only doing coordination, vendor communication is managed in a shorter timeframe. Coordinators often begin vendor management a couple months before the wedding day.
How involved are you in the planning process?
Finally, one of the most important questions to ask wedding planners is how involved they will be in the planning process. This is often explained in the proposal and/or on an initial consultation. Typically, full service planners will be involved in every step of the planning process. Coordinators usually step in a couple months before the wedding day, leaving you to do the bulk of the planning. It’s essential to understand when and how your planner or coordinator will be involved.
Photos: Sloane Photo Venue: Mae’s Ridge Coordination: Bianca Nichole and Co
Let’s get this planning party started! Want Bianca Nichole and Co to help plan your wedding in Austin? Click here to send us an inquiry!
Bianca Nichole and Co is a team of wedding planners in Austin, and will travel to San Antonio, Fredericksburg and the surrounding Texas Hill Country area.
