The Best Wedding Planners

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

A wedding planner can be a significant help on your special day. The happy couple and their closest loved ones should be able to enjoy their wedding day without worries. A wedding planner eases the burden off the couple, handles any problems that arise during the planning process and on the wedding day, and helps to put on a fantastic wedding.

How do you become a wedding planner?

There are courses and diplomas people can take to become a certified wedding planner; however, it’s not necessary. Regardless of if an individual gets a certification, the most essential step is to gain experience. Most wedding planners start by doing a few free weddings to build a portfolio. That portfolio can be used to promote the business and attract new clients.


How much does a wedding planner cost?

The national average cost of a wedding planner in 2019 was $1,500. However, it should be noted that this can vary dramatically. Average costs can vary from state to state. Additionally, factors such as the size of the wedding, the level of planning, the extravagance of the wedding, and the wedding planner’s experience can all change pricing.


Do wedding planners have specialties?

Yes, wedding planners can have specialties. For example, some wedding planners may specialize in destination weddings. Or wedding planners can specialize in the extent of wedding support they offer. A day-of-coordinator will only arrive on the day of the wedding and help during the day. In comparison, a complete wedding planner will help with the planning and execution of the wedding.


How do you know if you need a wedding planner?

Hiring a wedding planner is a personal choice. Ultimately, the wedding couple needs to decide if they have the budget for a planner and if they believe the investment to be worth it. For example, some people enjoy planning events, so they wouldn’t need a wedding planner. Conversely, planning stresses other people, so it might be a task they want to outsource.


Is there a certification to become a wedding planner?

The wedding planning certification industry is “largely unregulated.” This means that while you can get a wedding planner certification, it might not always be from a qualified source. One trusted source is the certification from the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners.  




A certification can be a great asset, but there are many qualified wedding planners who don’t have a certification.





How do you find a destination wedding planner?

Planning a destination wedding is very different from planning a local wedding. You’ll want to find someone who has experience organizing a destination wedding.




Many destinations offer an in-house wedding planner. However, if you need to find your own destination wedding planner, local Facebook wedding groups are an excellent place to ask for referrals.

Does your wedding planner need a degree?

No, your wedding planner doesn’t need a degree. A degree in event hospitality can undoubtedly give new wedding planners an advantage, but ultimately, this industry is all about experience. If you want to understand how qualified your wedding planner is, ask for client referrals or ask to see portfolio examples of previous work. 


Where can you buy a wedding planner book?

A wedding planner book is a DIY guide that takes couples through the wedding planning process. This book reminds couples of every little task they have to do and suggests the order in which the tasks should be done.


What should a wedding planner contract include?

A wedding contract should outline the terms of the working relationship. It should state what kind of work the wedding planner will do and clearly outline costs and deadlines. Many wedding planners will also put in restrictions or clauses to protect themselves. This could include what types of services they won’t do, the right to a meal at the wedding, and more.


What should a wedding planner portfolio include? 

Each wedding planner’s portfolio might be slightly different. In general, some of the common aspects of a portfolio are:


• Photos and videos of past events (before and after)
• Example timeline
• Example wedding budget
• Catalog of rental items
• Any awards or certifications
• Customer testimonials

How soon should you hire a wedding planner?

Wedding planners can quickly book up during the wedding season. We recommend hiring a wedding planner as soon as possible. A wedding planner should be one of the first bookings for your wedding as they can help you get discounts for future wedding items. They can also provide industry insights, such as the pros and cons of the venues you’re considering and vendor recommendations.

How much do you tip a wedding planner?

Tipping your wedding planner is a personal choice. Many wedding planners say it’s not necessary, and they would just prefer an online review. However, if you choose to tip our wedding planner, you can aim for 10-20% of their total fee. 


Do you invite the wedding planner to the rehearsal dinner?

Many people see a rehearsal dinner as an additional time to get together with their closest wedding attendees. And, while it is that, it’s also a time to rehearse. Therefore, your wedding planner should at least be a part of the rehearsal portion so they can make sure everyone is prepared for the big day. 


Does a wedding planner decorate?

This can vary from wedding planner to wedding planner. Some planners will decorate, but they’ll charge an extra fee for it. Other planners want to focus on running the event, so they’ll suggest you hire a decorator for the wedding instead. Ask your wedding planner if decorating is part of their services.


How many weddings will a wedding planner take on at the same time?

Most wedding planners work with small teams and will only do one wedding per day. Wedding planners that work with bigger teams may split their team up among multiple weddings in a day. If having your wedding planner there for you on the day is important to you, make sure to ask your wedding planner if they’ll be booking other events on the same day.


What is a wedding planner responsible for?

A wedding planner can be responsible for many things, such as:


• Researching vendors
• Obtaining quotes
• Building out the wedding schedule
• Paying vendors
• Organizing everything on the day of the event
• Sending out save the dates, invites, and thank you cards
• Decorating
• Dealing with issues

What your wedding planner does for you will depend on the type of services you pay for.


Do wedding planners need insurance?

Event planners should consider getting general liability insurance. This protects the wedding planner against claims of property damage or bodily injury. General liability insurance also covers the medical costs for any injured parties. You can ask your wedding planner if they have insurance.