How Do You Hire A Good Destination Wedding Planner?
As you already know, a destination wedding is a wedding that is taking place far away from home. It is probably in a place you have only ever seen on TV, and whose national lingo is Tagalog (which you speak none of), and, while you had always wanted to plan your wedding (because you are a little bit of a control freak), it has finally dawned on you that you need help. Professional help. A wedding planner would be great. But how do you go about getting the best for your dream destination wedding?
To Hire A Superb Wedding Planner…
-Of course, you need to do your research. Ask around for references from former brides, and look up wedding planners on iBride.com.
-You have to make a budget. You need to pay the planner for their services, and you need to plan accordingly for that necessary expense.
-Meet with the potential planners and conduct your interviews. Make sure they know their stuff (and can speak conversational to fluent local language), and, most importantly, make sure that they are people you know you can work with. The wedding planner you choose is going to be your best friend all the months leading up to the wedding, they need to be someone you won’t butt heads with. Much.
-Read their contracts thoroughly before committing to anything. You should know what and what you are paying for, and if some of their requirements throw you off, maybe you should back out, or ask for clarification. You are paying for their services: do not get cheated.
-Treat them with respect! Do that, and you will get the best you can from them.
-If possible, hire two wedding planners: a planner at home with experience abroad, and a planner in your destination venue with local vendor knowledge and basically local everything knowledge. The two planners can collaborate and work together (with you) to realize your vision of a great destination wedding.
Once you have hired you planner/planners, do not sit back and rest. Nope, your work isn’t done. It is still your wedding, and it is what you want that has to be done. Sit down with them and go through what you want to be done and how you want it to be done, and answer questions from them and ask questions of them. During the entire planning process you are allowed to ask as many questions as you possibly can (apparently, wedding planners are not put off by this), and be available for them to contact you to make confirmations of things you want done (like changing your mind about having oysters on the reception menu).
Getting the best destination wedding planner isn’t the only hurdle you need to jump: getting the right fit is just as important. Once you follow the tips given above, you are on the right track. And your dream destination wedding will be just like a dream.