The Planner can assist with the planning; recommend other dependable, reliable, talented wedding professionals; maintain focus in accomplishing tasks; make suggestions as to the best places to shop. All of this saves time and money.

Planning your wedding on your own is like NOT having a GPS…Your Wedding Planner is your GPS. The Wedding Planner guides you along the best route to the most important day of your life. A Planner maps out everything for you prior to and on the day of your wedding. Neither you, The Bride, your mom, family or friends should be worrying about anything on the day of the wedding. The Planner keeps everyone “on course” and ensures that all runs smoothly.

Here are some tips on why & how to hire your planner and what questions to ask:

• Referral or “word of mouth” from other brides, co-workers & friends based on their experiences with a Wedding Planner.
• Interview several planners before deciding with which one if “the best fit” for you. Hiring the right planner is like finding just the right dress: you will know once you are in the interview and make a connection.
• Your planner must be personable, professional, patient and flexible.
• You will be meeting with this professional for at least 6 months to a year before your wedding. Be sure that you feel comfortable with her/him since you will be spending the rehearsal evening & day of your wedding.
• Hire someone with 5 or more years of planning experience. How many weddings does that include?
• The old saying “you get what you pay for” does apply when hiring a planner: experience is key.
• Look for someone who is a good listener and takes a lot of notes when meeting with you.
• Ask if they have wedding professionals with whom they’ve worked and can recommend.
• What professional affiliations do they have?
• Ask what makes their company unique and different from others.
• Does the planner have other talents such as alteration/seamstress skills, floral or experience with color coordination to create a beautiful wedding?
• Ask to see recommendations from their previous brides or their mothers.
• Do they have a website? Are they on Face Book?
• Do they participate in Bridal shows?
• Where do they advertise?
• Are they familiar with different faiths in order to assist in your ceremony?
• Do they specialize in a certain religion or type of ceremony?
• Ask if they prepare a Plan A and Plan B in the event of rain, traffic, etc. Acts of God cannot be controlled even with the most perfect timeline. This is where a planner is very valuable on your wedding day, so you do not have to re-plan your day. The planner will have this planned out in advance to make the necessary changes with your approval.
• Ask for details, cost and what is included in each package.
• What are the deposit and other payment policies?
• Does the planner offer: basic delivery service; timelines only; custom packages based upon items you have already placed into action for your wedding.
• What days and hours of operation is your planner available to you once hired? (Phone, E-mail, other?)
• Just what is involved in actually hiring the planner?
• Does your planner give any discounts on other services provided if she is hired as your planner?
• Does the planner offer at least 1 hour for a no cost initial interview/ consultation?
• Hire someone in your area, as you will need to meet as many as 6-8 times during the planning process.
• Hiring a local planner provides the benefit of familiarity with churches and their policies; other ceremony sites; reception venues and their personnel; and local wedding professionals.
• Engaging wedding professionals who are accustomed to working together helps ensure a beautiful event.
• The best reason for hiring a professional Wedding Planner: to relieve stress so you can enjoy your Wedding Day!!!

We hope these tips will be beneficial to you. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and sincerely hope you’ll contact us.

Marie Frey

Wedding Planner & Bridal Alteration Specialist

FCCI: Fashions and Custom Creations

f-c-c-i@sbcglobal.net

www.f-c-c-i.com

317-862-6931