Blog Photo Credit: Jacey Kendall Photography

Congratulations, you’re engaged!

Now comes all the fun of planning your wedding day.

Hiring a wedding planner can make the wedding planning process much easier and way less stressful, especially if this is your first time on this wedding planning journey. A Kootenay wedding planner can help bring your vision to life and ensure that your big day runs smoothly from beginning to end. However, before hiring a wedding planner, there are a few things that you should know to ensure you get the most out of your experience.

1. Know Your Budget

Before hiring a wedding planner, you should have an overall wedding budget and specific planner budget in mind. Wedding planners typically charge a flat fee or a percentage of the wedding budget and the fees vary based on the type of service they provide.

Did you Know: A wedding planner can help couples stay within their budget and offer creative solutions to budget constraints.

2. Know What Help you Need

Kootenay wedding planners offer a range of services, from full-service wedding planning to wedding management services, so it is important to know what type of wedding assistance you may need before beginning your search. Full-service wedding planning involves the planner taking care of every detail of your wedding, from venue selection to vendor management, and in some cases, design and styling. Wedding management involves the planner taking over just shortly before the wedding to ensure everything runs smoothly. Before hiring a wedding planner, you should discuss some of your planning pain points as a couple in order to help you determine what services you need. This will help you find a planner who offers the exact services you are looking for.

3. Your Wedding Style

You should have a bit of an idea of their wedding style before hiring a Kootenay wedding planner. Some planners specialize in certain styles, such as private estate or nature-inspired weddings. You should take into account your wedding style and find a planner who understands your vision and can bring it to life.

4. Do your Research

Ultimately, it is important to do your research when choosing your wedding planner. Not all Kootenay Wedding Planners are equal in style, price, service offerings or experience. You spend a lot of time with your planner and will want to ensure they can both provide the service you are looking for and help you enjoy the planning process at the same time! Here are a few questions you can think about as are you connecting with them about your wedding plans:

a. What Is the Planner’s Experience?

A planner with experience will have a network of trusted vendors and be able to handle any challenges that arise. Consider checking online or website reviews to ensure that the planner has a track record of success.

b. What Is the Planner’s Availability?

If you have a specific date in mind for your wedding, it is imperative to communicate this to the planner you are connecting with to ensure they are available to serve you. Often wedding planners can only book one wedding per weekend in the busy months and their dates book quickly. Letting them know your preferred date sooner than later will ensure you can host on that preferred day.

c. What Is the Planner’s Planning Process?

You should understand the planner’s planning process before hiring them and have a clear understanding of their contract. A good planner will have a structured process that ensures all the details are taken care of for their clients.

In the end, hiring a Kootenay wedding planner can make the planning process much easier and less stressful for you but as noted, you should consider your budget, wedding style, the planner’s experience, availability, and planning process before committing.