Wedding Planners

I'm starting to notice this trend of everyone now calling themselves a wedding planner. A lot of people believe that participating in their friend's wedding or getting married themselves qualify them as a wedding planner. So far this year, at least 3 people announced on Facebook that they've officially launched their wedding planning business. They're now for hire to help make bridal dreams come true. However, I think this surge in this career choice, either as a permanent move or a side job, is a result of people thinking that wedding planning is easy. 

You throw a party and make a few thousands on the week end. How bad could it be? The fact remains that many of the very good planners who are raking in the money are not doing so because it's easy, but because the wedding industry is booming, despite the high divorce rates. Weddings are becoming more extravagant, couples are inviting more people and wedding vendors have figured out a way to nickel and dime you. Wedding planning is hard work, and it's twice as hard when you're looking to execute the vision of a complete stranger who you barely know. There's also a lot of pressure with planning a wedding since any mistake could make or break the celebrations. 

One of my very good friends is a wedding planner in Florida and after seeing the time and effort she put into growing her business and clientele, I can see that it takes very specific characteristics to be a good wedding planner. Simply attending event planning classes will not be sufficient to equip you with all the tools you need to be successful wedding after wedding. Her clients seem to understand that since her first wave of business came after her own beautiful wedding, with the second wave coming after her first couple of paid gigs. So if you're looking for a planner, I recommend you seek out someone who:

Has a track record of successful events - An event planning certificate reinforces your planner's skills but is not a substitute for them. You don't want to be someone's first client unless you're throwing a child's birthday party. When it comes to weddings, make sure that your planner has a few under his or her belt. Otherwise, you could end up being their guinea pig and they may learn how to improve on their shortcomings from all the mistakes they made at your wedding. 

Is creative - Congratulations if you are a master at conveying your thoughts and feelings and everyone can understand your vision perfectly. For the rest of us mere humans, we may not be as clear on what we want, especially if we've never done it before. You want your planner to be able to use her creativity to make your vision come to life. Someone who says: "I don't get it" to every other idea you present, may not be the one for you. 

Is decisive - When planners deal with vendors, they may do so without you being present. Even if they have instructions from you, the instructions may be something the vendor absolutely refuses to do. You want your planner to be comfortable making decisions on your behalf. Of course, this goes without saying that the planner must be trustworthy enough for you to know that these choices will always be in your best interest.   

Is personable - Planners deal with your vendors, your guests and your future spouse. They negotiate prices for you and communicate your wishes to the attendees to make sure everything is just as you want it to be. A grouchy planner (who I don't believe would be in the business long anyway) will create unnecessary obstacles.

Is flexible - You'll change your mind. There's no if about that; it will happen. Not because you're indecisive (some of you might be) but because you'll realize that what you've loved when you were 5 is either not practical, to expensive or a little tacky. You want to hire someone who will be receptive to your ideas. 

Is not a yes (wo)man - Being receptive to your ideas does not mean they should not point out when you've completely gone off the rails. Brides tend to be surrounded by yes (wo)men by default because the people who tend to be the most involved in the planning are often their closest relatives who may not want to speak up and hurt the brides feelings. You don't need yet another person who will do that. If you want to hang rubber frogs from the ceiling of your swamp-themed wedding Ant Sally can lie to you for free. No need to pay someone else who'll do the same. 

These don't even scratch the surface of all the things that make a wedding planner great but it's certainly a start and I'll go as far as saying these are non-negotiable. If you are hiring a planner, I hope this will be a good starting point.