Planning a wedding by yourself may sound like a walk in the park, but it can quickly get challenging. With thousands of decisions to make, contracts to negotiate, and, let’s not forget, attempts to manage your budget, a little help from the pros may be needed. Enter the wedding planner—your ride-or-die, the Batman to your Gotham, and the secret weapon in your mission to pull off the celebration of a lifetime!

But how do you find the perfect sidekick that will understand what your dream wedding looks like? Luckily we’re here to help. Here are the top ten tips for hiring a wedding planner:

Before searching for a wedding planner, take a moment to determine the kind of wedding you envision. Whether your heart leans towards a timeless, romantic event or a chic, contemporary celebration, having a clear idea will help you find a wedding planner who not only resonates with your aesthetic but also comprehends your unique desires.

A seasoned planner will be your creative collaborator, transforming your ideas into reality. From the color palette to the intricate details that tell your love story, finding a wedding planner who can seamlessly match your vision ensures that every moment of your special day has the magic you’ve always imagined.

Another essential item to check off your wedding planing to-do list before reaching out to wedding planners is your wedding budget. The type of wedding planner you hire can depend a lot on how much help you need, and how much you’re willing to spend. There are full-service legends who become your partners in crime from start to finish, month-of magicians who swoop in for those last-minute saves, or day-of superheroes who just help execute the day’s festivities.

Each kind of wedding planner offers a different level of involvement and services, so you should decide how much help you need and what you can afford. And, if it turns out a full-service wedding planner is just out of the budget, then be sure to check out our list of the top wedding planning podcasts to still get insights and wedding planning tips from some of the best in the business.

Kick off your hunt online by using search engines and visiting popular wedding marketplaces such as The Knot, Wedding Wire and Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book. Review their portfolios, browse their websites, scroll their social media profiles, and check out the real talk in reviews from couples who’ve used their services. And don’t be shy about asking friends, family, or the wedding venue for recommendations—word of mouth is often gold.

Trim down your list to those wedding planners whose work not only catches your eye but also aligns with the vision you’re painting for your big day.

Once you’ve created your shortlist, it’s time to arrange meetings or interviews to meet them in person. This is your opportunity to assess their professionalism, personal approach, communication style, and genuine enthusiasm for your wedding vision.

Discuss your expectations, vision, and budget, ensuring they align with your needs and grasp your preferences effectively. These interactions serve as a crucial step in finding an event planner who not only ticks the boxes of expertise but also clicks with you on a personal level.

What do wedding planners do anyway?

All wedding planners are not equal, so it’s essential to inquire about their level of involvement, from the initial concept to the day of coordination. Clarify whether services extend to helping you find the best wedding venues near you, vendor management, budget oversight, creative design, hotel room block negotiations, or other additional perks.

A transparent discussion about their process and communication style is equally vital. By understanding the full scope of their wedding planning services, you align expectations and set the stage for a partnership where every detail of your special day is thoughtfully curated and executed.

Selecting a wedding planner isn’t just about their impressive credentials; it’s also about finding someone whose personality resonates with yours and your partner’s. Since you’ll work together for months, possibly even a year, ensuring your personalities mesh is paramount.

Consider it like building a team where communication flows effortlessly, ideas bounce around freely, and laughter is part of the process. A wedding planner who understands your quirks, shares your excitement, and compliments your style is not just a coordinator but a friend helping to create the best day ever.

Oh, this is a big one! You definitely want a planner that can help manage your budget and keep you on track. Otherwise, you can quickly find yourself saying “yes” to upgrades and additional things you may not need.

More flowers, more decor, more food, more entertainment—there’s always more. A good wedding planner will help you determine what’s essential to creating your dream wedding and what is just an extra and unnecessary expense.

In today’s world, we are all busy, but when planning the biggest event of your life, the last thing you want is someone who doesn’t respond and communicate. Make sure to discuss your expectations on communication and inquire about their preferred contact method.

Some may prefer email messaging, others may be old school and like to speak on the phone, and others may like chatting. A quick conversation about what each of you prefers will make the planning process effortless.

One of the best aspects of having a planner in your corner is their connections. Having planned many weddings and events, they will have worked with the other local vendors and likely have a group they recommend. And since they have relationships with these vendors, they may even extend a discount to you for hiring them.

You might also want to ask each wedding planner how they handle vendor commissions or referral fees. Some planners might charge more but pass any discounts or commissions they receive on to you, while other event planners charge lower rates for their services while earning on referrals. Of course, the best planners are always going to make recommendations that are in the best interests of your celebration—not theirs—so it can help to understand their incentives.

Hiring a wedding planner isn’t just about credentials; it’s about finding a pro who understands your vision, is easy to work with, and makes planning your wedding planning less stressful. They’re your ally, working side by side to design and execute your dream day, so our biggest tip is to simply trust your gut.

These are just some of the questions to keep in mind when searching for the best wedding planner for you. We’ll cover even more wedding planning tips and tricks in a future article for our Audio Guest Book Insider’s Guide, though, so make sure to follow along by subscribing to our mailing list below!