Video:How to Choose a Wedding Planner

Transcript:How to Choose a Wedding Planner

Hi, I'm Ann David and I'm Nicky Reinhard, and together we are David Reinhard Events - an event planning company. And we are here on About.com to give you tips on how to find a wedding planner.

Do You Need a Wedding Planner?

Some people may ask, "Do I really need a wedding planner?" And the simple answer is yes. Not only will a wedding planner make sure that your wedding comes off exactly as you want it to – no stress for the bride and groom, but they can even save you money along the way by suggesting certain vendors, what to have on the menu, etc.

Determine Your Budget

So how do you find a wedding planner? First you should determine how much money you want or can spend on a planner - this way you are not wasting your time researching ones that you might not be able to afford. You also should decide how involved you need the planner to be – do you need a full service planner or someone that is just helping you the day of the wedding.

Find Wedding Planner References

So once you know your budget and your needs, start to ask around. Ask friends who are married – who did they use, and was it a good experience? Referrals are always one of the best ways to get any vendor, because friends and family will never lie to you.

Another option is if you have selected your venue for the wedding, ask them who they suggest. Many times they will have a list of vendors that know the space and have worked there before. This can be very helpful - to have a team that feels comfortable working together.

Plan a Meeting With Potential Planners

Once you have a few names, we suggest you set up meetings with them. We feel very strongly that you should like and feel good with your planner. You will be spending a lot of time with this person and you want to make sure you like each other, feel confident in their ability to handle the job and know that they have your best interest in mind.

At this meeting – here are a few things you will want to ask them:

• How many weddings do they do in a weekend?
• If you hire them, will they be present at your wedding?
• Do they take commission from vendors?

Again the wedding planner is there to help you and make your life easier so that you can enjoy this special time in your life.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us at About.com.