Guidelines For Choosing A Wedding Planner San Francisco Clients Will Find Helpful

By Tara Daniels


A wedding planner specializes in organizing weddings down to the last detail in a way that will ensure a successful event. This can take a lot of stress off the bride and groom and usually even ends up saving them money, as these professionals often have numerous connections in the industry which result in discounts. Before deciding on a wedding planner San Francisco couples should consider these pointers.

The first priority should be to determine exactly how much involvement is needed from the wedding planner. Most offer as little help as some advice for those who wish to do most of the organizing themselves or as much assistance as running the entire event. Figuring out one's financial limits is also important to get an idea of what kind of budget there is to work with.

It's a good idea for the couple to get the names of several different consultants they are considering hiring. Asking people one knows if they can recommend someone is ideal, but looking for potential candidates online or in the yellow pages can also work. Selecting about five names and calling them up to find out more should be the next step. The client should be sure to ask about the person's credentials, experience, and the packages they offer. Of these five, the list should then be narrowed down to three and in-person interviews should be arranged.

Most planners will not charge clients for the initial consultation and will use it as a chance to convince them that they are capable of providing them the services they are looking for which will honor their wishes and fit their budget. The consultant should arrive at the meeting dressed professionally and provide the couple with a portfolio of previous work, pricing information, a business card, and at least two references they can contact.

The planner should listen carefully to the couple's expressed wishes and be taking notes. Most people in this profession have a natural creativity which should be evident in the number of suggestions they give the couple to think about for their wedding. The clients should have a good rapport with the consultant and also need to confirm that this is the same person who will actually be the one planning the event.

Once the consultant has been chosen, a second meeting should be scheduled. This should take the form of a brainstorming session that will likely involve going through many books or other sources of ideas, and settling on those which appeal most to the couple.

Once the couple has chosen the specific services they wish to have, the consultant needs to provide them with a cost quotation and also a copy of any terms and conditions there are. This must itemize all arrangements and include a detailed price break-down. The clients must review this carefully and make sure it is what they want and that there are no discrepancies.

There must be no misunderstanding regarding fees. The contract needs to state the date and location of the wedding, total cost, and cancellation policies. When hiring a wedding planner San Francisco clients need to be sure they are in full agreement with the contract before signing it.




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