Your relationship with your wedding suppliers has to feel right from the word go. You have to trust them to turn your wedding vision into a reality, without leaving you stressed or feeling like you are not in control.
When choosing your planner, there are questions that you must ask to ensure that they can co-ordinate your wedding with the level of service and decorum you expect.
Below I have set out the following list of questions that are a must in choosing your wedding supplier.
How many weddings have they planned and can they provide testimonials and images from these weddings?
A right wedding supplier will always have testimonials and images from previous clients at hand so they can prove that they have the skills, professionalism and experience to back up their wedding expertise.
Are they planning any other weddings on the same day or weekend?
Unless your planner is part of a large team or company that are capable of handling two weddings on the same day, they should not be involved in any other weddings that are the same day as yours. You are paying for their undivided attention on your wedding day, and that is what you should get!
Are they familiar with your venue?
An experienced wedding supplier will usually have a good knowledge of wedding venues in their area unless it is exceptionally unusual. If your planner has worked at the venue before, it can make communication with the venue staff a much easier process.
Do they understand your vision?
You will probably have a vision in your head about how your wedding will look, but not always the knowledge on how to create it! Your wedding planning should take the time to learn about you as an individual, and about your vision. The excellent wedding suppliers will listen to you and explain how they have interpreted your dream and how they will make it a reality.
Can they organize and co-ordinate other suppliers?
You might want your planner to organize everything from start to finish, or you may have already booked suppliers and want her to co-ordinate them in the run-up to, and on your wedding day. Either way, your planner should be able to take care of this for you. If they have a good knowledge of the industry, your planner will be able to source the best suppliers for your style and budget.
How often should I expect communication with my wedding supplier?
At the beginning of the planning process, you should expect several meeting and communications from your planner as you organize all of the main parts of your day, for example, venue, catering etc. From then on, your planner should be in regular contact with you, keeping you up to date on their progress. In the days leading up to your wedding, your planner should be in constant contact with you, ensuring that you are prepared and that everything is in place to allow the day to run smoothly.
Will they be there on the day?
If you want your wedding supplier to be there on the big day, then there should be no problem with this. A good planner will be there from first thing in the morning until the celebrations are in full swing later that night. They should have a discrete presence throughout the day and be close at hand should you need them.
What will happen if for any reason my planner can’t come to the wedding?
From the beginning, your planner should make it clear if they cannot attend your wedding. However, if unexpected circumstances mean that they cannot participate in, a contingency plan must be in place. They should have a full brief, detailed running order for the day, and supplier contact details on hand to pass over to a colleague or member of their team in case the unexpected happens.
How much will it cost and when do I pay my supplier?
Wedding suppliers will all offer you their pricing structure, whether is it a flat fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the total bill. Make sure that you understand precisely what they are charging you for, and if there will be any hidden costs.
Most planners will ask for a deposit upfront when you book their services. This is usually about 20% and will be used to secure other suppliers and purchase any bespoke items. If they are charging an hourly rate, the balance is likely not to be due until after the wedding. If it is a flat fee or a percentage, the credit will usually be scheduled before your wedding, so be prepared to pay for this upfront.
Hiring a Wedding Supplier
There are several reasons why a pair will consider hiring a wedding supplier rather than doing all of the preparations themselves. The most evident reason is the time factor. In days gone by, it was common for the whole family to become involved and to help with all the arrangements, but with the pace of present-day life, this isn’t possible anymore. Most people are too busy working and having to arrange the caterers, floral arrangements, wedding videographers, not to mention having to deal with the dress fittings and honeymoon agreements can be highly chaotic.
General Understanding
Although the general understanding is that hiring a wedding supplier works out more pricey, hiring a professional planner can scale back your costs when it comes organizing your marriage. Besides the time issue, there are some other reasons that it is an excellent idea to hire a marriage planner to do the majority of the organizing and agreements for your wedding.
Firstly you want to find a wedding supplier. Though the yellow pages and Internet is one option, the best way to find a credible marriage planner is through personal recommendation, either through buddies and relatives or the bridal shop where you are buying your wedding outfits from. Once you have a little list of marriage planners, you can start to narrow down your decision.
Make sure that you interview each marriage supplier personally and find out how many marriages they have been involved in organizing and get as many video testimonials as possible. Don’t forget that you’re going to be spending lots of time with your chosen supplier, so you want to feel comfortable with them. Even a basic marriage package can be an expensive affair, so make sure that you check out as many of the references that you have obtained. Skimping on time when trying to pick the ideal marriage planner for you at the initial stages could end up costing you, not only in terms of money but also in terms of needless stress and disappointment.
Budget is always a component in deciding what caterer, videographer, wedding ensemble and everything else you want for a wedding, but hiring a longtime, credible marriage supplier will help you stretch the budget.
Go for Repuation of Wedding Suppliers
Most suppliers, who’ve got a good reputation, also have many years of expertise. With this experience, they are going to have built up a good list of contacts and should be able to get you the lowest price for all your marriage needs.