Wedding planner

[gandjyeah]

I just got engaged and we know that our wedding will be rather large. 400+ guests... how do I find a wedding planner that has handled that high of a guest count? I dont have alot of time to plan things and neither does my fiance so it will fall to the planner to do most things... any advice is greatly appreciated

[Invitations4LessJoyce]

Congrats on your engagement!
I would suggest starting your search with the Association of Bridal Consultants: http://www.bridalassn.com/default.aspx

Once you've found a few to "interview", ask them about their experience, but also be paying attention to how well the two of you communicate- for instance, busy people often like email, so you'd want a consultant who is tech-savvy.
Good luck with your planning!

[Destination Weddings]

I agree with everything Joyce has said. Also, check with the Association for Wedding Planners International. They are also a great resource.

I would also add that you need to do your due-diligence by making Google your friend. Check the web sites (I know I'm being Miss Obvious with that one), you want to see if their web site looks professional, does the portfolio section have more then one or two weddings, does one of the brides in the pictures look oddly like the planner? It's fine if the planner used her own services, but you want to make sure that isn't the only experience they have. Also, check the reviews on web sites such as this one. See if they have been quoted as an expert in the media. I know all that research sounds daunting; but it doesn't take very long.

If you know anyone who has got married who was happy with their planner, ask for a referral.

Congrats on your engagement!
I would suggest starting your search with the Association of Bridal Consultants: http://www.bridalassn.com/default.aspx

Once you've found a few to "interview", ask them about their experience, but also be paying attention to how well the two of you communicate- for instance, busy people often like email, so you'd want a consultant who is tech-savvy.
Good luck with your planning!

[ophellia]

Just to add my 2 cents if you have not already found someone:
- Totally agree - ask for referrals from anyone you know who has gotten married recently. Brides love to share great experiences and will tell you all the ways their planner was great.
- If you have booked the venue, ask if they have a preferred vendors list with a planner or if they recommend any planner that they have worked with before who have handled large wedding groups.
- Ask other vendors that you are talking to about who they recommend
- When you have a list - interview the planners. Make sure you feel comfortable with them and that you feel that your personalities match...you will be spending a LOT of time with them over the next few months :)

Good luck with your search!
Ophellia

[themoment]

Really, you need someone with experience. The best advise is to find the top people in the field. Here in Atlanta, I can tell you the people who have in business for a while. So you might want to ask a photograher or dj, there are two good sources. An another way is see if someone in your area is an author of a book.
For your crowd, the key is organization. So that person would need at least five or six people plus the wedding planner to control your crowd. Ask her how she planned her last large wedding, the process, how it was oraganized, and the execution of the day. How she handled the emergencies.

[FedererPhoto]

This is likely a bit late - but if you have already booked other vendors before the planner -- ask them. I work with a lot of planners and can list off a few 'good ones'. (this goes for every vendor, however -- ask the other vendors (who are all 'wedding experts') who is 'good' ... people know who they like to work with, who is good, who is bad, etc)

[eventsbyalex]

Hi all!

These are great suggestions and answers to your question. I don't want to sound redundant, but simply would like to stress the importance of finding a wedding planner that you and your fiancé, personally, get along well with. As a wedding planner, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that a planner and a bride work well together on a personal, as well as professional, level. It's the best way to ensure that you'll both feel comfortable, in order to make the most out of your working relationship and achieve the results that you want.

ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) and AWPI (Association for Wedding Planners International) are wonderful resources for finding qualified wedding planners in your area. You might also want to check out Wedding Wire and The Knot. Besides looking at a planner's formal qualifications (certification, association memberships, years in business, etc.), take the time to meet with her or him. You'll know almost immediately if you two have good chemistry and would work well together.

Remember, the "best", most qualified, and well-known wedding planner in your city may not be the best planner for you and your wedding.

Best of luck to you!

Alex