If you are not the most organized future bride and forget where you put your car keys more than twice a week, look into a full-service wedding planner. You will get to make the big decisions, such as wedding colors, reception location and invitations, without having to remember to order the actual items or search all over town for the perfect shade of lavender. If you want an ultra-elegant gala in a swanky Seattle hotel, the wedding planner finds the locations to match your dream. Barefoot nuptials in a rose garden in Bellingham? The wedding planner will know about every available park, some even with roses that match your dress. While this can be an expensive option, it can also be the one that makes your wedding the most stress free.
Another option is to hire a wedding coordinator for specific parts of the wedding. This can mean that the coordinator handles all the major reservations and offers guidance for other aspects of your wedding. For example, if you must get married in the Cascades because that was where you and your spouse-to-be met on a hiking trip, the planner can help you locate rooms for all your guests, reserve a mountain lodge with the perfect view, and advise you regarding area florists, photographers and caterers. This is a great option for someone with good organizational skills, for smaller weddings, or if you are planning a wedding in an unfamiliar place. While this option can be less expensive than a full-service wedding planner, make sure you and the wedding planner are in complete agreement on who is taking care of each part. Twenty minutes before you say "I do" in Yakima is not the time to find out someone needs to pick up the cake in Ellensburg.
Regardless of what level of service you choose from your wedding planner, make sure you call at least three of the planner's references. Ask those newlyweds what they liked and didn't like about the wedding planner's services. All newly weds love to talk about their weddings and you will surely get more than enough information.
Your relationship with a wedding planner can last for up to a year, often with the planner asking questions daily, making suggestions and calling you with updates. If you don't like the wedding planner's tone, ideas or demeanor, or he or she reminds you of the meanest teacher you ever had, do not sign a contract. Find someone who makes you feel comfortable and who has good references.
If you are planning a wedding in eastern Washington to take advantage of its wineries, orchards and Christmas tree farms spread out across the plains, keep a few tips in mind. In eastern Washington you may be choosing from planners who cover a much broader area. The towns are smaller, but the friendliness is larger. Professional wedding planners working in Washington's wide-open spaces are used to destination weddings and narrow country lanes. If the planner lives 50 miles away, but has handled a dozen weddings at your chosen winery, things should be fine.
Wedding planners can be a huge help when planning a wedding. By listening to your heart and the professionals, you are sure to have a magical day.
