Back: (Page1) What Do Wedding Planners Do?

Do your research.

"Check your wedding planners' websites", advises Judy. "Also check any previous work carried out by the planner by requesting testimonials or asking to speak to ex-brides who've used their services. For my clients, I also arrange for a few suppliers that I think would suit their needs to send their portfolio to the bride so as they can get an idea of what they offer and choose the right one."

But when it comes to choosing 'the one' (fiancé or planner!), there's no substitute for good, old-fashioned chemistry. "You have to make sure you like the planner; that you 'gel'", advises Sandra. "Shop around and meet with any planners you're considering hiring before committing to one. Check their previous work for sure but don't be afraid to trust your gut feeling. You usually know instinctively whether you like someone or not. You're going to be working with this person quite closely and it can't be stressed how important it is to have a good relationship with your planner; to be able to trust them with your wedding."

Less instinctive however, is a wedding planner's sense of the bride's taste. So how do you go about handing your wedding over to a wedding planner without it turning into the planners wedding? At the risk of advocating bridezilla behaviour, come armed and well prepared. "Many brides come along armed with folders", laughs Judy. "They can be full of magazine clippings or photographs, any images that give your planner an idea of what you want."

Of course, it is the most important day of your life, you might want to just come right out and tell them what you want – and, more importantly, what you don't want. "Most brides will tell you about their tastes", says Sandra. "While brides aren't always sure what they want or what they like, they invariably know what they don't like and it's just as important to let your planner know your pet-peeve. If there's a colour you hate or music you can't stand, tell them. The more information your planner has, the closer she can come to making it your dream wedding."

Speaking of dream weddings, do planners 'do' bridezilla's? "Difficult brides come as part and parcel of the job", laughs Sandra. "Without divulging too many details, I did have one bride who came to me a few weeks before her wedding, with nothing done, wanting it all to be perfect. It was stressful to say the least but luckily it all worked out in the end!"

So yes, brides from hell are eligible – and bring your mothers too.

"During one consultation, I had a bride whose mother kept answering for her," laughs Judy. "I had to step in and politely inform the mum that it really was their daughter's big day and that I was answerable to her only!"

Delivering last-minute miracles, saving brides from their mothers – is there anything wedding planners don't do? Well, while each planner is different in what they do and how they do it, you'll find they tend to be quite similar when it comes to what they won't do.

"Well, if a bride came to me with a budget of next to nothing and asked me to coordinate a fairytale wedding with stretch-limos and five star hotels, I would draw the line", laughs Sandra. "If a bride wants something that simply is not feasible, then you just have to say no."

"Like most planners, I would tend to steer clear of organizing the honeymoon", says Judy. "However, I always advise the couple to remember this when they are drawing up their budget as some forget. After initial consultation, I will point them in the direction of very experienced travel consultants, as I wouldn't have the proper access to everything that's available out there. I prefer to leave that to the travel professionals!"

"Naturally we can't do everything", says Kate. "We wouldn't choose your dress for you for instance and we can't do the impossible but we will do practically anything. And no, we won't steal the groom!"

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