1. Ask what happens when something goes wrong — not if
Every wedding planner will tell you they're organized. Ask a more specific question instead: "Tell me about a time a vendor didn't show up, or the weather turned, and what you did." The answer tells you whether you're hiring someone who's actually run a wedding day under pressure, or someone who's only ever planned one on paper.
2. Understand exactly what "day-of coordination" includes
This phrase means different things to different planners. For some, it's a few hours of showing up and directing traffic. For others, it includes a rehearsal, a full vendor confirmation pass, and a written timeline built specifically for your day. Ask for a sample timeline before you book — it's the fastest way to see how much detail actually goes into the planning.
3. Ask how many weddings they take per weekend
A planner juggling three events on your wedding day is not fully present at yours. It's a fair, direct question, and any planner worth hiring will answer it without hesitation.
4. Check whether they know your venue
Every venue has its own quirks — load-in times, vendor restrictions, noise curfews, where the getting-ready suite actually is. A planner who's worked your venue before will catch problems before they happen. One who hasn't can still do a great job, but budget time for a walkthrough together.
5. Ask about vendor relationships, not just a vendor list
Anyone can hand you a spreadsheet of names. What matters more is whether the planner has an actual working relationship with those vendors — the kind that gets a caterer to accommodate a last-minute headcount change, or a florist to prioritize your delivery window on a busy Saturday.
The question most couples forget to ask
"What does my wedding week actually look like with you?" Not the whole year of planning — the last seven days. That's when things get real, and a planner's answer here tells you more about how your day will actually go than almost anything else in the consultation.
Have a specific question about planning your own day? Ask us directly — we're happy to talk through it even if you don't end up booking with us.