“If you are going to plan a wedding, then a certain amount of suffering is not a choice.” -Ellie Kemper.
Getting engaged is an exciting time.
Unfortunately, this would mean that the days leading up to your wedding can be fraught with stress and emotions. Needless to say, planning a wedding is no walk in the park. While days leading up to your big day are filled with anticipation and joy, they can also be a little daunting. Planning a wedding can feel like a lot if you have been dreaming of your wedding since you were a child or have no idea where to start. Amidst all the intricacies, seeking guidance from experienced professionals or utilizing resources such as wedding planning services or educational institutions like Kean University can provide valuable support and insights.
That said, many engaged couples could certainly do with a helping hand. This is where a wedding planner comes in. Unfortunately, many couples may overlook the necessity of having a planner. Still, it is often the best investment a bride and groom can make. Apart from taking a load off your hands, wedding planners ensure that everything goes smoothly for you during your big day. They are also equipped with enough experience to know what venue your wedding reception should have, whether in the Shrine of Jesus or elsewhere. Similarly, they know the best catering services in the Philippines.
However, you may ask: How do you know if a wedding planner is the right fit for you?
To help you in your search for an ideal wedding planner, take a look at the list below for the characteristics you should be looking for in one:
a.) Organizational and time management skills
It does not matter how long or short you intend to stay engaged; your wedding planner will work on a timeline that works for you. Above everything else, engaged couples need an organized planner with excellent time-management skills. Ideally, your wedding planner should also know how to multitask. It is unrealistic to expect a wedding planner to be working on your wedding alone, so it is imperative that they know how to keep the details of each separate to avoid confusion. Other than that, wedding planners should be physically organized so they can easily keep track of essential documents for each wedding they are working on.
Wedding planners typically have several months to plan a wedding. Still, there are instances wherein they only have a few weeks. That said, a good wedding planner should be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
b.) Good finance and budgeting skills
A good wedding planner should be able to effectively offer sound financial advice. While weddings are expensive, they need not be exorbitant. A wedding planner should be efficient when it comes to organizing a budget. They should also be able to stick to it and present you with several financing options. Once a wedding planner knows how to allocate your budget effectively, you will be able to have the wedding of your dreams without sacrificing anything. That said, your wedding planner should know how to give sound financial advice regardless of the various aspects of your wedding.
c.) Great interpersonal and communication skills
Wedding planners should possess good communication, and interpersonal skills, as these will help them when interacting with all parties involved. That said, the wedding planner you choose should be friendly and outgoing. More importantly, they should be able to effectively communicate with everyone they interact with—especially other wedding suppliers and vendors. Keep in mind that weddings bring out the best and worst in people, and a wedding planner is typically at the front and center of all planning stages. This means that they should be able to calm stressed-out brides, assure anxious and jittery grooms, and placate emotional parents. Also, it is a good idea to choose a wedding planner who has excellent negotiation skills so that you can get the best possible for your other wedding supplies.
A wedding planner should also be able to steer you in the right direction as to where to find the best wedding party attire. It can be hard to find the right businesses if you’re unfamiliar with where to find wedding and bridesmaid dresses.
Wedding planners generally have a list of the best local businesses. They also have websites you can check out. It’s good to have a starting point, and a wedding planner should be willing to go the distance in communicating with you. Together, you can discover the perfect dresses, whether floral bridesmaid dresses or tuxedos for the groomsmen.
d.) Experience
It should go without saying that a good wedding planner is someone who has enough experience with planning weddings. But, more importantly, they should have enough experience for the particular type of wedding you want or the specific location and style you have chosen. Keep in mind that weddings can vary drastically. For example, the logistics of a beach destination wedding are significantly different than one held in an indoor reception hall. Therefore, your wedding planner should have the necessary skills and experience to plan for the kind of wedding that you want.
e.) Great Reviews
At the end of the day, client reviews can help you determine what kind of experience you will have with your wedding planner. It does not matter how much you like their work or how they were recommended by a friend; reading reviews is paramount. Do not be afraid to ask for references and ask other vendors for their feedback. Similarly, you can reach out to previous couples they have worked with and ask them about their experience.
