5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Planner
A beautiful portfolio tells you a planner can make things look good. It doesn’t tell you what they’ll be like to work with over the twelve most important months of your year. These five questions do.
1. What exactly is included — and what isn’t?
“Full planning” means different things to different studios. Ask for a written breakdown of what’s covered — ours is published in full for every tier: design, budgeting, supplier management, guest logistics, on-the-day team size. Just as importantly, ask what falls outside the scope, so there are no surprises later.
2. How, and how often, will we communicate?
You’re about to spend a year in close contact with this person. Ask who your point of contact is, how quickly they typically respond, and whether you’ll have regular scheduled check-ins or ad-hoc updates. A planner who sets clear communication expectations upfront is one who runs an organised business — ours are set out as a five-step process.
3. How do you work with our budget?
The right answer is not a single flat number. A good planner asks about your budget early, is transparent about their own fees, and can explain how they’ll allocate spend for the most impact. Be wary of anyone who avoids the budget conversation or can’t tell you how they’re paid. (Here is our answer, before you ask.)
4. What happens when something goes wrong?
Weather turns, suppliers cancel, flights are delayed. Ask for a real example of a problem they’ve handled and how. What you’re listening for is calm, a plan B, and ownership — the qualities that matter most on the day itself.
5. Do you work with a set list of suppliers, or can we bring our own?
There’s no single right model, but you want to understand theirs. A strong local network is a real asset, especially for destination weddings — but you should also know whether you have the freedom to include a photographer or caterer you already love.
If a planner answers these five openly and specifically, you’ve likely found someone worth trusting. If you’d like to put them to us, start a conversation — we’ll answer all five honestly.