When you are considering hiring a wedding planner, there are many factors to consider! You'll be spending a lot of time talking to, emailing, and meeting with your planner over the next 12 months or more, so you'll want to make a good decision when selecting your wedding planner. What should you look for? Here are five things to look for in a wedding planner.

#1: Understand their fees and services

Pricing for every wedding vendor should be clearly stated. Wedding planners have three typical ways that they charge for their services: an hourly rate, a flat (package) rate, or a percentage rate. There is no right or wrong method for pricing, but be sure you know what is included so that there aren't any surprises. Be sure to ask questions if you are unclear on any of the charges! Also ask about their payment structure, cancellation policy, and postponement options.

#2: You communicate well with them

Your wedding planner will most likely have set office hours when they will respond to emails, phone calls, and text messages. You should typically receive a response in 1-2 business days, but don't expect a response at 5 pm on a Saturday when they are most likely working another event. Ask what their preferred method of communication is, and make sure that works for you. For example, we prefer emails over text messages, because it's easier for us to keep all the details for your wedding in one place. This means it's less likely for a detail to fall through the cracks! Of course, we're available to our clients by text the week of the wedding for last-minute questions or updates.

#3: Their workflow works for you

When you are interviewing planners, as about their workflow. A workflow is simply the process or steps they will take to plan your wedding. For example, we break the planning process down into phases, to avoid overwhelming you with tons of decisions at once. We also have online planning tools for you to use. If you prefer face-to-face meetings, be sure those are included in your contract; if you prefer email, in-person meetings may be a hassle for you.

#4: Their portfolio matches your expectations

What type of experience does your planner have? Are they new to the industry? Have the worked in other areas, like catering or floral design? What skills do they bring to the table? When looking at a wedding planner's portfolio, be sure the photos from their past events match what they are telling you about their experience. Do they frequently work with the size wedding you are planning? Do they have experience with cultural traditions that are important to you? While planners may work with various styles and budgets, they should be able to show you examples of weddings similar in scope to yours.

#5. What is their backup plan?

Is the wedding planner you are considering a one-person operation? Or do they have a team of other wedding planners on their staff? What happens if your lead planner gets sick or injured and can't be at your wedding? Even if they have a small team, ask if they are a member of associations like the Association of Bridal Consultants or the National Association for Catering and Events - members of these associations may have other planners in the area they partner with as backup.