Joined on
01-20-2012
CENTRAL ILLINOIS 4191626198622968
Posts: 1565
First: 1/20/2012
Last: 5/25/2012
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We hired our planner after selecting the ceremony and reception venues, and after having booked our photographer. I knew that she had worked with all of these places before, so it wasn't an issue, but it will definitely help to work with someone who is familiar with your venue.
Our engagement will end up being about 18 months, and we hired our planner maybe 4 months into the engagement.
I think you'd be better off booking someone now - the earlier the better. My planner is really the best in my area, so I wanted to make sure I got her for our date. I came to her with a lot of my own ideas, and she definitely understood the look I was going for and will be able to carry it out, but she also came up with some things I hadn't thought of, and was a great resource for florist and DJ recommendations. Wedding planners have worked with a ton of people, they'll know who is the best. It's not like you can't change your mind about things or come up with new ideas down the road after booking them. They'll work with you along the way - I've had three meetings so far with my planner, and we've changed the linens every single time. She's super understanding of changing tastes, and I imagine most planners get that brides don't stick with the same plan from the get go.
I'd just be very upfront with your budget, but also know that wedding planners make their living off of weddings. Be clear from the get go about what you want to spend. Pricing is different for everyone, I'm sure, but ours was an upfront fee of a few thousand dollars, and then we'd pay the cost for the custom linens we use, and for any rentals from her. Renting from the planner ended up being a lot cheaper than from rental company, so the fee basically covered itself already, we've found.
Hope that helps, I'm sure other brides will have more advice/comments. Good luck!
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