What is the difference between full-service and event-day coordination?

Packages are defined differently by each planner. Ask when work begins, which planning tasks are included, how much vendor communication is covered, and what the planner will handle during the event.

Should a wedding planner attend vendor meetings?

It depends on the agreed scope. List the meetings, site visits, rehearsal, and event-day hours you expect, then confirm which are included and what additional time costs.

What backup plan should I ask about?

Ask who takes over if the lead planner is sick or delayed, who has access to the timeline and vendor contacts, and how urgent decisions are handled. Put the agreed coverage in writing.

What to Ask a Wedding Planner Before Booking

October 3, 2026 · Planning guide · 2 min read

Planner packages use similar labels but may include very different amounts of work. Before comparing proposals, describe your event and ask each planner to map the package onto specific tasks, dates, and people responsible.

Explain the event you are planning

Share the date or date range, venue status, guest-count range, event locations, cultural or family traditions, accessibility needs, and what you have already booked. Tell the planner which decisions you want to own and where you want someone else to lead. The clearer the brief, the easier it is to see whether the planner has relevant experience.

Translate package names into tasks

Ask when the planner begins work and what happens during each phase. Does the scope include budget tracking, vendor research, contract review, design direction, floor plans, guest logistics, rental coordination, rehearsal, setup oversight, and cleanup? Ask how many meetings and site visits are included, who attends, and what is billed separately.

Clarify vendor and decision responsibilities

Ask who contacts vendors, gathers proposals, tracks deadlines, and updates the master schedule. Find out who can approve changes and spending, and how those approvals are recorded. If the planner recommends vendors, ask whether any commercial relationship or referral arrangement affects the recommendation.

Walk through the event-day plan

Confirm the planner's arrival and departure times, assistant coverage, setup responsibilities, point person for vendors, and process for schedule changes. Ask who will step in if the lead planner is unavailable and how the backup person gets the latest schedule and contacts.

Read the fee and cancellation terms

Understand the payment schedule, what counts as extra time, travel or staffing costs, postponement and cancellation terms, and what happens if the guest count or event plan changes. Review the contract at your own pace and ask for written clarification before signing.

Browse our wedding planner directory to find candidates, then compare proposals against the same event brief and task list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between full-service and event-day coordination?: Packages are defined differently by each planner. Ask when work begins, which planning tasks are included, how much vendor communication is covered, and what the planner will handle during the event.
Should a wedding planner attend vendor meetings?: It depends on the agreed scope. List the meetings, site visits, rehearsal, and event-day hours you expect, then confirm which are included and what additional time costs.
What backup plan should I ask about?: Ask who takes over if the lead planner is sick or delayed, who has access to the timeline and vendor contacts, and how urgent decisions are handled. Put the agreed coverage in writing.