Page 58 - HDG1173 - CWD Fall 2015

Hemmingway's Island Grill

Hilton Garden Inn

Q. What are some tips to keep in mind when selecting a planner or coordinator?
A. Heed this advice:

• Check the references of anyone you consider hiring. Although there are certification programs and courses, anyone can call

herself a wedding planner or wedding coordinator since there is no formal license. So you should evaluate her performance
at past events.

• Ask specific questions about her scope of work to make sure that jives with your needs. For example, if you need only day-of

coordination, you don’t want to get stuck paying for full service.

• Learn what vendor relationships she has established. Some vendor relationships come with substantial discounts.
• Inquire about billing. Will she charge you a flat fee or a percentage of the total cost for all your wedding vendors? If she

charges a percentage, then she doesn’t have an incentive to keep your total wedding costs below budget.

• Find out what will happen if she gets sick the day of your wedding. Who will take her place?
• Because few events are pulled off without a snag, ask her what hurdles she has faced and how she has handled them.

58 Coastal Weddings Magazine