I understand budgets are tight and we've all got to save some dough but I hope this vendor highlight on wedding planners helps you to change your mind. This job is sometimes under appreciated because when you have a great planner, a guest will never notice. Here's a few words of wisdom for finding one that will work for you.
1) Learn the packages - Planners, like photographers, have several different package levels from full planning to just day-of (really more like week-of) options. Don't run away from the idea of a planner because you heard a friend paid thousands of dollars. You do get what you paid for, so shop around and learn what options a planner can offer you. If you like a planner, but don't like a package, call them and see if they can put together something custom for you. Customizing an event for you is their specialty!
2) Learn about your planner - Not to rant, but there are a lot more "planners" out there than real planners. A real planner should have a solid events or logistics background and can give you a list of several weddings with references tied to those weddings that you can reach out. A thank you note on a website is nice, but I would take it one step further and call up past clients or vendors who worked with them. You are putting your wedding in their hands, so make sure they truly have the experience to handle it.
3) Learn to go with your gut - Did you like them as a person? Did they seem to know their stuff? Were they on time to the meeting? Little things do add up. If you don't like them, drop them. On the day of your event, vendors will be going to this person to make decisions and your planner should be making them in your best interest.
Don't leave your initial meeting with your planner without asking these questions:
1) How many weddings do you typically work a year?
2) How many assistants do you bring for a wedding? (the correct answer is at least one, a better answer is more than one)
3) Can you provide me with a list of reference from recent weddings?
4) How many times will we meet before my wedding?
Like photographers, many planners have blogs that are a great way to learn about them and get some wedding ideas. Here are a few of my favorite blogs:
Ashley Baber's Blog - ashleybaberweddings.blogspot.com
Janice Blackman - janiceblackmonevents.wordpress.com
And a few awesome planners who don't blog but still rock:
Lisa Milko (Event Perfect) - www.myeventperfect.com
Courtney SurberPaz - www.courtneysurberpaz.com
Watermark Wedding - www.watermarkweddings.com
Whole Shebang - www.thewholeshebangatl.com
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