Q&A WITH EDNA & JERI

Does every engaged couple need a wedding planner? What are some hallmarks of a situation where you need one?

No, not every couple needs a wedding planner. However there are many situations where a wedding planner will be invaluable. Generally the couple is planning a wedding for the first time and they have one chance to get it right. The planner understands the big picture and can guide couples through the process. Planners have relationships with venues and vendors and understand the nuances of negotiations. Planners help their clients stay on budget. They can assist with the overall vision to assure the wedding has a cohesive aesthetic. They keep the process moving throughout the months of planning and make sure nothing is overlooked. They are on-site at the wedding to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

Some specific situations where a couple would need a planner are:

• If a couple doesn’t have the time or skill set to be the project manager for their wedding.
• If the wedding is at a location where the couple doesn’t live.
• If the wedding is taking place at a non-traditional venue where there are many additional details to keep track of. 

What are some red and green flags when vetting a vendor?

Let’s start with the green flags. 

• Professionalism. That can include reasonable response times to inquiries and questions, the person presenting themselves in a polished manner and has a deep knowledge base of their field.
• Communication. They listen to your questions and answer them so that you feel heard and comfortable. You “click” and you feel like they “get you”
• You like their work. They have examples of their work on their website or social media channels.
• Good reviews. If you read a number of reviews that say the same thing. You can expect that level of service. Positive reviews from other vendors is also a great green flag. 

Red flags are the opposite of the green flags. 

• Lack of professionalism.
• You don’t click and it seems like you always have to explain yourself.
• You don’t like examples of their work.
• Consistent concerning issues mentioned in reviews. 

How do you create a realistic wedding budget?

It’s a process! One that takes time and research. We suggest reaching out to vendors and venues located where the wedding will be to understand their pricing. National averages found online can be very misleading. The size of your guest list will affect how much of the budget goes to food/beverage, flowers, invitations. Couples see so much inspiration on social media for luxury weddings. It’s easy to fall in love with it all. But it’s important to manage expectations of what is reasonable within their budget. We suggest couples reserve a minimum of 20% of their budget for unexpected costs. More if possible. It sounds like a lot, but that is the best way to stay on budget. 

How do you build the most efficient wedding committee?

 A wedding committee is like any committee. You will have to work with different personalities, management styles and work habits. Communication and documentation of what is going on is key so everyone stays on the same page. Having enough time to work through sticking points is also helpful. 

What are some hard truths that you have to watch out for during wedding planning?

Wedding planning is fun and exciting, but also stressful. We think couples can benefit from knowing some of the hard truths going into the process so they aren’t caught by surprise. Here are some things to keep in mind. 

• It’s a lot of work. Couples will spend up to 12 hours a week planning. That’s a part-time job!
• It will cost more than expected. Almost 50% of couples say they exceeded their budget.
• The stress may test your relationship with your partner.
• Other relationships may become strained from hurt feelings, jealousy or misunderstanding.
• The multitude of choices can cause decision fatigue. 

How do you identify and handle “judgers” in your committee? Are they a bad thing?

Judgers are usually easy to spot. They share their opinions even when you didn’t ask and they often have a negative or critical approach to the planning process. They aren’t necessarily a “bad thing” but we believe if you anticipate their behavior, you won’t be surprised and that minimizes stressful situations.