Sign up for Fairygodmother Favorites Email        Choosing the Right Wedding Planner  From the moment that magical engagement ring is slipped onto her finger, every bride should start her own Wedding Dreambook – a simple scrap book where you can save bridal magazine clippings, fabric swatches, photos of other Real Weddings, and anything else that inspires you or will provide a visual or other specifications to your selected wedding coordinator.   This wedding planning scrapbook is also a fun way to keep the groom, bridesmaids, family, etc. involved in the planning process.   Once you have opted for the assistance of a wedding coordinator, and planned for the associated costs in your wedding budget, the next step is to hire the right wedding planner for your special occasion.  We recommend interviewing several wedding coordinators and reviewing their event photos, websites and customer referrals.  Before interviewing your coordinator, we recommend writing the details of your wedding vision from beginning to end (or at least the top priorities) of how you see your big wedding day unfolding and what special touches are a must-have for your day.  Often you will be inspired by some of the photos and ideas you will find in the wedding coordinators galleries and real weddings on sites like theknot.com and wedding channel websites.  You may find that your original vision slowly transforms as you discover new reception ideas and hot new design concepts  - be sure to continue updating your wedding dreambook with any new ideas or inspirations! The last recommendations and the most important advice on hiring a coordinator is to follow up with previous customers and confirm the wedding coordinators accolades and credentials.  Be sure to get references from other Brides and Grooms that held ceremonies and celebrations similar to the type of wedding and ceremony/celebration format you have in mind.   For example, if you are planning for a lavish celebrity style wedding affair, you wouldn’t consider a small town wedding planner that has only coordinate smaller events and ceremonies and vice versa.  WEDDING COORDINATOR INTERVIEW IMPORTANT SAMPLE INTEVIEW QUESTIONS: 1.      How many weddings are you doing in our month? During our week?  On our day? 2.      How much experience do you have as a wedding planner?  How many weddings have your coordinated? 3.      What is the cost & charges associated with your service?  Be sure to ask for their pricing policy and payment methods and plans. 4.      Do you receive referral fees or commissions from your wedding vendors? 5.      Will you be in attendance at the wedding ceremony?  Reception? 6.      What is the backup plan in the event you are unable to attend? 7.      Can we have a list of references with whom we could discuss your previous events? 8.      How will we stay in touch and communicate through the planning process?  How often will we meet?  Talk?  How quickly do you get back to your clients?  9.      What sets you apart from other wedding planners – are there any additional amenities or services you provide? 10.  How will you and your staff be dressed for our wedding ceremony & reception? Once you have gone through the interviewing process and have selected your wedding coordinator, be sure to get a signed contract that includes in detail what each of you will be accountable duties, costs, services, etc. Now – take a deep breath and relax and enjoy the months leading up to the big day….the tough work is over!  You have now joined the ranks of many a happy Bride and will soon discover that the wedding budget dollars spent on a wedding coordinator are the Best Spent Dollars in your entire wedding budget.  Click here to find a wedding coordinator now!