Planning a wedding is serious business. Hiring someone to plan it for you is risky business. High risk often means high reward, but why take a risk with the most important day of your life? While there are many reputable wedding planners out there, there are plenty that leave much to be desired. Research is key to your wedding’s success.
Good or bad, every wedding planner has secrets. Before hiring a wedding planner read: 6 Secrets a Wedding Planner Will Never Tell.
1) She Went to High School With The Photographer
Nearly every wedding planner comes prepared with a list of recommended (sometimes exclusive) vendors. In the early stages of your vendor search this list may be very helpful. After all, the alternative is diving into a bottomless pit of Yelp reviews, which can be daunting and definitely does not guarantee quality. However, there may be more to the “recommended vendors” list than meets the eye.
Vendor recommendations are often based on relationships rather than results. Did that florist become “recommended” because they’re the best, or because they married the wedding planner’s brother? While a wedding planner’s “recommended vendors” may be a good place to start your search, never sign a contract that restricts you to only using vendors that come recommended, and always get at least one reference from an outside source.
2) “Wedding Planner” Means Different Things to Different People
According to our Director Emeritus Herbert Rose, there are two types of wedding planners:
“There are essentially two categories of event planners. The highest type is an all-encompassing organization that will plan for you or (if you prefer) help you plan every facet of the event. In addition to planning the event, they will decorate your venue either by themselves or by hiring freelance people. The second category of event planner works on a more superficial level. They will guide you to suppliers in every area: flowers, music, photography, caterers, even dresses if so desired.”
Don’t assume that your wedding planner is going to be a full service planner. She may just be a middleman between you and your vendors, or even just a runner on the big day. Ask for a detailed list of services before agreeing to hire any planner.
3) You’re Not Her Number One Priority (Not Even Top 5)
Interns and assistants do a lot. Much more than you think. While planning your wedding is constantly at the top of your to-do list, to a busy wedding planner you’re just another client who will come and go.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most high-quality wedding planners are so good at multitasking that you will feel like your wedding is their whole world even if it’s not. Just know that if you’re expecting to have their complete attention 24 hours a day you’re only fooling yourself, no matter how much you’re paying.
4) The Customer is Always Right
Wedding planning, for better or worse, is a business. Every good businessperson knows that they must live by the credo “the customer is always right.”
When it comes to wedding planning, this usually means keeping the bride and, to a lesser extent, the groom, happy. Only the best wedding planner will put up any kind of fight against an idea that the bride or groom has, even if it is truly cringe-worthy. Remember that a wedding planner who agrees with all of your suggestions and never offers alternatives may just be trying to get you to leave them alone.
5) She May Be Taking a Commission
This isn’t always the case, but when it is it’s despicable. Earlier we discussed a wedding planner’s “recommended vendors” and how the list is often based on friendships rather than a vendor’s ability to produce results. That sort of relationship looks wonderful next to a wedding planner who is simply selling their clients to the highest bidder.
Never work with a wedding planner who is selling your event to her vendors. Not only is she making money behind your back, she has no incentive to find the best vendor for your event. Double check that your planner is open and honest about their practices or risk having your wedding day sold to the vendor with the deepest pockets.
6) A High Quality Venue Rarely Requires a Wedding Planner
Having a wedding planner can be great if you’re hosting your wedding in a non-traditional location such as your home or an outdoor park. However, if you’re hosting your event at a reputable (reputable being the keyword) event venue such as 583 Park Avenue or Guastavino’s, a wedding planner is rarely necessary.
A truly top-level event venue will be able to offer everything that you need without the help of a “professional” wedding planner. Many “Type A” couples would much rather do most of the planning themselves anyway, without hiring a wedding planner, but hire one because they want someone else to handle the more mundane tasks. A high-quality event venue may be able to take care of those mundane tasks for you while leaving you free to give your wedding the style and pizzazz you know it deserves.
Would you like more details about hosting a Wedding or Social Event in New York at 583 Park Avenue? CONTACT US today to find out what makes 583 Park Avenue the best Wedding space on the upper east side. One of our event coordinators will be in touch with you shortly.