All the questions to ask yourself before contacting a wedding planner

You’ve decided to entrust the organization of your wedding to a Wedding Planner, an obvious choice given your busy day-to-day professional and personal life. Calling on an expert guarantees smooth management, meticulous attention to detail, and precious peace of mind. But how can you be sure you’re choosing the right professional to accompany you on this unique adventure? Discover the essential questions to ask before your first appointment.

For me, this phase is essential. It allows me to ascertain the feasibility of your project. It also gives me the opportunity to get to know you and understand your desires, so that I can be sure I’m the right match for you.

1. What’s your wedding vision?

Even before selecting and contacting a wedding planner, clearly define the atmosphere you want to create for your wedding. This will be the common thread running through the entire organization, and will enable you to project yourself into the world and achievements of the wedding planners you discover. Imagine your ideal day: what elements come immediately to mind? What style are you looking for? An intimate ceremony or a grand celebration? A Provençal wedding or a Bordeaux château? Sober and elegant or modern and colorful?

Having a clear idea of your expectations will direct you towards a professional whose universe resonates with your wishes and aspirations. He or she will then be able to give you the benefit of his or her past experience and guide you in the best possible way to make your wedding an event true to your image.

2. What budget do you want to allocate to your wedding? 

The budget is a key element in the organization of your wedding. It’s important to have a clear idea, or at least a rough estimate, of what you’re willing to invest in this celebration. 

Why is this crucial? 

• It will enable your Wedding Planner to propose realistic options, adapted to your means, and to guide you in allocating the budget. It would be a shame to select a venue that represents more than half of your budget. 
• This will also help you choose a wedding planner whose fees are consistent with your overall budget and who has experience of similar weddings. 

Clarifying these points from the outset will make your first meeting with the professional much easier, and enable him or her to quickly assess the viability of your project.

3. How many guests do you want to invite? 

The number of guests is an essential element to consider before contacting a wedding planner. It determines almost every aspect of the organization: the size of the venue, the budget, the logistics and even the general atmosphere of your wedding.

Don’t forget to ask yourself the right questions:

• Do you want an intimate wedding, or one that brings together extended family and close friends?
• Would you prefer to invite everyone to each day (welcome dinner, wedding day, brunch) or limit certain celebrations to a smaller group?
• What importance do you place on the experience and comfort of your guests, particularly in terms of transport and accommodation logistics?

Communicating this figure to your wedding planner from the outset will enable him/her to better direct his/her recommendations to create an experience tailored to your expectations.

5. How many reception days are you planning, and what period do you have in mind?

The number of days dedicated to your wedding is an essential aspect to clarify before contacting a wedding planner. Would you prefer to concentrate all the festivities on a single day, or envisage a full weekend, with a welcome dinner, a rehearsal dinner and brunch the following day? These decisions have an impact on the organization, the service providers and, above all, the budget.

At the same time, think about the time of year that best suits your desires. A summer outdoor celebration, a warm autumn atmosphere or a winter wedding in an enchanting setting? These questions are crucial, as they influence the availability of venues and service providers, as well as logistical constraints (weather, guest accommodation, etc.). Rates can also vary according to the season.

Indicating these preferences from the outset will enable your wedding planner to better understand your expectations and design a project that perfectly reflects your vision.

To resume, preparing well your first contact with a wedding planner will maximize the efficiency of your collaboration. By asking yourself the right questions, you’ll be able to better prepare this first meeting to help you in your reflection.

What’s next? Ask yourself:

• “Is there a good connection?” 
• “Does he/she understand our vision?”
• “Are we ready to trust him/her?”

The relationship with your Wedding Planner is paramount. This is the person you’ll be spending the most time with, so it’s important to choose someone who understands you and fits in with you. So make sure you’re comfortable with this person, and trust him or her to orchestrate your celebration.

At Alaia Evenement, our relationships are based on trust. Each wedding is unique, and the attention we pay to each couple allows us to establish a special bond to create exclusive and perfectly orchestrated weddings. Careful preparation and clear communication are the keys to a successful collaboration and an unforgettable experience.

Would you like to find out more about our full wedding planning service?  

Book a call!