Most wedding vendor problems come from things nobody asked about until the contract was signed. Take these questions to every wedding planner you meet, compare the answers side by side, and get the important ones written into the contract.
When to book: couples usually book wedding planners and coordinators about 12+ months for full planning, earlier for peak-season Saturdays (May–June and September–October).
The Questions
- Do you offer full planning, partial planning or day-of coordination?
- How many weddings have you done at our venue or similar ones?
- Is your fee flat, hourly or a percentage of the budget?
- Do you take commissions or discounts from vendors you recommend?
- Who will be on site on the day, and for how many hours?
- How do you handle vendor contracts and payments?
- What is your plan if you are ill on our date?
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Tips
- Even a month-of coordinator saves the couple and family from managing vendors on the day.
- Ask the venue what its own coordinator does and does not do.
Before You Sign
- Get the date, start and end times, exact services, total price and payment schedule in writing.
- Read the cancellation, postponement and refund terms.
- Check that the business name on the contract matches the one you researched.
- Pay deposits by credit card where possible, for buyer protection.