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Wedding Education

Your Ultimate Guide: What to Look for in a Wedding Planner

August 25, 2023

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Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and it’s natural to want everything to go perfectly. But with so many tasks to complete and so many details to coordinate, planning a wedding can quickly become overwhelming. This is where a wedding planner comes in handy. 

A professional wedding planner can help you navigate the complex world of wedding planning, from selecting vendors to creating a budget to coordinating the details of your big day. But with so many wedding planners out there, how do you find the right one for you? I’ve reached out to some incredible wedding planners that I’ve crossed paths with in the wedding industry. They have provided great insight that I hope helps you with learning more about what to look for in a wedding planner. 

Image of styled table setting at wedding.

What is a wedding planner?

Let’s start with the basics – what is a wedding planner? If you’re early in wedding planning this is a great time to learn more about how a wedding planner can help with planning your dream wedding day. 

Simply, a wedding planner is a professional who helps couples plan and organize their wedding day, and executes tasks on your wedding day that would otherwise need to be assigned to someone. 

What does that really mean? They are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the wedding run smoothly, from choosing a wedding venue to selecting vendors, coordinating timelines, and managing your wedding budget. A wedding planner works closely with you to understand your vision for your wedding and brings that vision to life. Additionally, they are also responsible for troubleshooting any issues that may arise on the day of the wedding, probably without you even knowing there was an issue. Their expert advice will make sure that you and your guests are free to enjoy your wedding rather than being worried about details. 

What to look for in a wedding planner

Finding the right wedding planner can take some time. It’s important as a couple to be comfortable and confident in who you select for a smooth wedding planning process. 

Here are a couple of things to consider when thinking about what to look for in a wedding planner:

  1. A good wedding planner is detail-oriented, organized, and able to handle stress with ease. They likely have multiple plans, and are ready to pivot as needed! 
  2. They work hard to create your dream wedding and help you navigate the wedding planning process with ease. Their goal is to make the wedding planning process as stress-free as possible for you so you can enjoy your special day.
  3. Let’s not forget communication! Wedding planners with great communication will give you a roadmap to your perfect wedding and will help you get there. 
Image of centerpieces on tables at wedding reception. Helping with learning more about what to look for in a wedding planner.

Pricing for Wedding Planning

Wedding planning pricing can vary greatly depending on the location, complexity, and extent of services required. It is important for couples to have a clear understanding of what is included in the pricing and to carefully review contracts before signing. 

Wedding planner services offered vary per service provider, some offer partial panning packages and full planning packages. Be sure to speak to the wedding planners you are interested in about their service options, and pricing.

Looking for a wedding planner? Check out these Minnesota Wedding Planners below.

Image of flowers and candles for decor at wedding. What to look for in a wedding planner.

Lucent Blue Events & Design

Lucent Blue designs every wedding “with our blue planet in mind”. They service clients worldwide and create custom proposals for each couple they work with. Generally, their full-service planning for weddings starts at $9500, and partial planning packages depend on specific needs and start at $4950.

When asked what to look for in a wedding planner they recommended couples focus on someone they know they’ll enjoy working with. “You’ll be in touch with your planner more than any vendor,  you want to ensure you’ll jive with how they communicate and ensure you’ll LOVE working with them!”

At Lucent Blue Events & Design, they focus on fitting their process to the needs of each client. They take on all the stressful details so the clients can focus on the fun parts of planning without the headaches. 

“Weddings are complex behind the scenes, and it’s our job to think on our toes and handle that complexity so that the couple and their guests have a seamless experience that’s full of joy and celebration.  We sweat the small stuff (and the big stuff) so that the couple getting married can be in the moment and focus on what’s important.”

Learn more about Lucent Blue here!

Luum Collective

Luum Collective services the Midwest and offers full, partial, and day-of support services. At LUUM Collective they are educated in sustainability, inclusion, and circular design frameworks and hold certifications in Sustainable Events and Climate Reality Training. Their services focus on waste management and reducing landfill waste through eliminating single-use items and food recovery programs. They also provide carbon reporting and metrics alongside planting trees in their local community and offsetting wherever possible. Luum sources from local and sustainable vendors and brands.

“LUUM Collective provides event and creative services, support for existing event teams, consulting, and a suite of resources for planners and couples. We believe the true magic behind events is in the relationships built between creatives and vendors who bring the vision to life. We are building a community of engaged industry leaders and visionaries who are committed to sustainability and giving back. Join us in reimagining the way we gather.”

Learn more about Luum Collective here!

Image of dessert table at wedding reception.

Keyed Up Events

Keyed Up Events focuses on helping couples find joy in wedding planning. They offer three packages for couples; Wedding Planning All Inclusive, Wedding Planning Lite, and Wedding Management. These vary in price and services with each tier from $1995 to $7000 +. You can get a quote here

At Keyed Up Events, they focus on helping as much or as little as the couple wants. It depends on where the couple is in the planning process as well as how much time the couple has and if they are a “doer” or not. They can help couples who are just looking for help with finding wedding vendors to those wanting full-service planning. 

Their advice to couples who are looking for wedding planners? “Cheapest is not always the best option. Most expensive won’t always give you the best service. Base your decisions on your budget but also if you trust this company to get it right for your wedding.”

Learn more about Keyed Up Events here.

Sixpence Events

Josey at Sixpence Events is a non-traditional wedding planner for your non-traditional wedding! Sixpence Events services Twin Cities, Minnesota, and intentionally takes on a small number of weddings at a time to focus on committing her work time to each client, and focusing on her life outside of work! 

What sets Sixpence Events apart from others? “My clients plan non-traditional weddings and implement sustainable practices. They also can laugh at themselves, like hugs, and don’t mind rejecting my suggestions outright if they don’t like what they’re hearing.”

When working with couples Josey outlines “I love a non-traditional wedding, one that fits your (plural) personalities. If you don’t want a wedding party/first dance/to wear white then don’t! I support you and I will help you plan an event that still feels like a wedding, even though there’s no ceremony/groom/formal dinner/cake.”. At Sixpence the focus is on what you want for your wedding day! 

Curious about Sixpence Events pricing – $3600 for day of coordinating, and $5600 for partial planning, more information can be found here about Sixpence Events. 

Kahani Events & Design

Kahani in Hindi means story – and at Kahani Events, they want to enable you to tell your story. Their focus is on bringing two people together,  families & friends, maybe even different communities together, and having a celebration that is filled with laughter and love. Kahani Events & Design offers a variety of options for different budgets and they work with couples to help learn more about what they want on their big day for packages. Learn more about their wedding services here

What sets Kahani Events & Design Apart from other wedding planners? “With planning – I really am all in with my couples and take the time to get to know you, so I can find you the best vendors that suit your values, personalities, and style”. When asking Reena, the owner and lead designer at Kahani Events and Design, why she does what she does she answered “I love weddings, and I love design! When my friends were getting married, and when I married my husband, it was difficult to find vendors that would cater to our multicultural days with a good understanding of how to create balance between cultures, between families, etc.  I’ve been involved with weddings since I was a kid, and decided to just help be that bridge to make weddings easier and uniquely catered to the multifaceted needs of each client!”.

Kahani Events & Design offer Wedding Henna Packages – you can learn more here. Learn more about Kahani Events & Design here. 

What to look for in a wedding planner -image of table set for wedding.

Summary of what to look for in a wedding planner!

Now that you’ve read about 5 wedding planners in the Twin Cities area, you’ll see that there isn’t one for everyone, and everyone is not for every planner! Find the planner that speaks to you and your vision, and you’re going to have an awesome day!

Finding your dream wedding planner can be a daunting task, but it is worth putting in the effort to find the perfect fit for you and your partner. A good wedding planner will be able to guide you through the planning process, offer advice and suggestions, and ultimately bring your vision to life. Whether you choose to work with a well-established planner or a new and upcoming talent, it is important to trust your instincts and choose someone who truly understands what you both want for your special day. Remember, your wedding planner is not just a vendor, but a partner who will help you create memories that will last a lifetime.

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