Let's face it, these days hiring a wedding planner is not a luxury. Nigerian weddings and parties have so many moving parts that it's easy to get overwhelmed and miss the very essence of the wedding or party. Unfortunately, due to the relative 'ease' it takes to start a wedding planning business there are lots of 'quack' planners. We have compiled the a few tips to help you spot the fakes and save yourself the agony.
Get it In Writing
Insist on a detailed proposal or quote with a price breakdown that CLEARLY states all the responsibilities that he/she will carry out as well as payment terms
Track Record
Ask to see pictures from past events as well as a client list. Dig deeper but asking questions like what were her/his specific responsibilities? Was she/he the only planner for the said event? Does she/he have pictures and past clients you can speak to?
Caveat: It is very possible that your event is her/his first, this does not mean that she/he is not capable. Close pay attention to her/his personal organisational skills and do your own research. Maybe start her/him with a smaller event like your introduction to see how well she/he does. You definitely should be getting a bargain for wedding planner newbie
Vendor Recommendations
More often than not, your wedding planner will make recommendations for other vendors. Ask the right questions. Has she/he worked with them before, why does she/he think they are right for you? (listen out for something specific, not just “they are reeaaalllly good...”) She should be able to give you past instances of how they have exemplified excellence in the past.
Caveat: Some wedding planners get commissions from vendors they recommend, this isn't necessary a bad thing, just ensure that your interests are met over their pockets and that prices haven't been inflated (you can get a third party unknown to them to request a quote from the said vendor for price comparisons)
The Team
How big of a team will she/he have dedicated to your wedding? And how many will be present on the big day as well as their specific duties e.g. if she/he is bringing ushers will they help distribute souvenirs? What will they wear? Also, is she/he hiring temporary staff to make up the team or are these her/his dedicated staff. If the former, how well does she/he know them. If possible meet and interview the team before the wedding day. Also, will she be present herself on the wedding day? For how long?
Caveat: A one woman/man business shouldn't be an automatic disqualification, just be sure to meet her/his contracted staff long before the wedding to make your own assessment.
Communication
Discuss all communication methods at the inception of your contract and ask how quickly you can expect a response from them, also state your preferred communication method (phone, email...etc). Having clear expectations is key, and will save you a lot of headache in the long run
Other very important points include punctuality, professional demeanor and more. How quickly did she/he respond to your initial inquiry, was she/he on time for meetings and appointments? Did she/he carry you along in the planning process? I once met with a wedding planner who wore shoes so high that she could barely walk! Call me judgmental but if you can't make a simple decision like wearing the right shoes for a meeting, how well will you handle my party?
Ultimately keep in mind that something will likely go wrong on your wedding day and the difference between a good and bad wedding planner is how quickly they think on their feet and adapt to situations. What are your tips for hiring a good planner?