Wedding Planners, Vendors and Couples: Navigating the Process Together
A recent article featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog addressed the question of how hands-off couples should be with their wedding planners. Author Alyssa Brown outlined the following key things to remember:
- Your wedding package should be customized.
- Your wedding planner should keep you organized and on track.
- There are always going to be things your wedding planner cannot do for you.
- You should feel comfortable with the amount of and quality of work your wedding planner's doing.
Not only are these important to remember for planners, but they can apply to wedding vendors as well. Whether it's the planner who communicates with the team of service vendors, or you are in direct communication as the bride and groom, it's important to establish mutual trust and respect, be very clear about what your vision is, and be vocal about how involved you'd like to be from the beginning.
If you're aligned with a team you trust, there's no need to constantly check in with your planner or your contacts. Brown states:
"Wedding planners hate being micro-managed just as much as the next service provider, but don't be afraid to say something if you're not getting your needs met. The relationship you have with your wedding planner works best if you're able to communicate and honestly so that all tasks on both your lists are taken care of in a timely and professional manner. Trusting your planner's guidance, organizational tools, creative ability, and general advice are crucial to the enjoyment of working together and planning a beautiful, fun, and relaxing wedding."
As long as you remember it's a team effort, and there are responsibilities that everyone owns - including the bride and groom - then the process is much easier to navigate together.
For more wedding-related tips and advice, head to Downbeat LA's Wedding Tips Blog here.