Tips for Working with a Wedding Planner on a Budget
We all know that Asian or Indian weddings are grand and intricate affairs, ones that are filled with rich cultural traditions and pompous ceremonies and come tagged with a large list of to-do things. So, planning an oriental wedding is a huge responsibility.
Right from decorations to accommodations to pre-wedding celebrations, everything must be done with exactness. That’s why you need to hire the right wedding planner, especially if you dream of having a bespoke Indian or Asian wedding in London.
A wedding planner, especially ones with good experience and satisfied clients, will not only better your ideas but will also free you of worrying about the nitty-gritty. But you once again face a tougher task of finding the right one.
While the idea of having the perfect planner sounds beautiful, all your plans can go south if you land up with the wrong one. So the key concern is how to pick the most suitable one in the vast sea of names. The key is to ask the correct questions and set specific criteria.
But in case you’re running short of tips, this post has just the right tips that can get you landed with your perfect planner and make your dream of a dreamy wedding come true. So let’s look at the tips without any delay.
1. Cultural Understanding
Be it Indian or Asian, culture is the essence of any oriental wedding. So the foremost thing you need to do is cross-check with your planner and see that he/she has a deep understanding of your culture. Given the cultural diversity of India, it might not be possible to know everything.
But knowing about the most fundamentals rituals like mehndi, and haldi will also do. The basic knowledge indicates that your to-be wedding planner comprehends the significance of your traditions, and rituals, and will properly incorporate the cultural elements.
2. Navigate Website
And by that we mean every single page. We are living in an Internet-savvy world which means that your list of selected planners MUST have their own site.
Be thorough with that. Check out every single page, and read every single thing.
A website is the virtual face of any business, especially ones that deal with the show business. A good website shows that your planner means serious business. Be specific with certain pages like:
- Number of clients worked for and client testimonials
- Portfolios
- About Us page
- Resources like posts and videos
3. Social Media Research
Normally, businesses first try to convince clients, then do business and then impress them. But if you’re trying to impress your customers and then sell your business, then social media is the place to be.
With spaces like Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, wedding planners can now easily and proudly put their work in display. A social media profile can actually tell a lot about a wedding planner.
So be very thorough with your social media research. Don’t just pass by the pictures. Do a little more like:
- Read captions
- Look at the tags
- Check the highlighted stories and look for client reviews
- Check profile of tagged person
4. Ask for References
This one’s an absolute MUST. Request references from your selected planners and reach out to their past clients. Ask about their professionalism, communication, network management, attention to detail, and ability to handle cultural aspects specific to Indian and Asian weddings.
It will help you gain valuable insights into the planner’s track record and help in narrowing down your list and make the right decision.
5. Vendor Network
A wedding is after all an event and the lifeline of any event management is vendor network. This means that wedding planners who organize Indian or Asian wedding must have established relationships with vendors who specialize in the same.
They have the right connections with trusted caterers, decorators, mehndi artists, DJs, and other service providers who are equally experienced in handling their part of the job. So ask for vendor names as it will ensure that you have access to professionals who understand your needs and can deliver high-quality services.
6. Budget Management
Again! Very important. A good planner isn’t one who can work with fixed budgets only. A good planner is one who can make things happen within the offered budget. So, your planner should be able to take your budget under serious consideration.
An experienced wedding planner should be able to help you create a realistic budget, allocate funds accordingly to different events, and negotiate with vendors to grab the best deals for you. Their expertise in cost management can help you make informed decisions and avoid overspending.
7. Logistical Expertise
Most Indian and Asian weddings often involve multiple events and complex schedules, unless the families choose to keep it simply. This means there’s a lot of movement in between the whole thing.
A wedding planner should be able to take care of the logistical aspects, including transportation, accommodation, and event coordination. Your planner must ensure that everything runs smoothly, allowing you and your family to enjoy the celebrations without any worry.
8. Creative Vision
Wedding planners should bring creativity to the table too. They should have a creative vision and assist you in conceptualizing your dream theme.
They should be able to work through your décor ideas and craft an ambiance that reflects your cultural heritage and personal style.
Starting from the simple table setting to mandap decoration, they should have a keen eye for your taster and should ensure that every aspect of the wedding is meticulously planned and executed.
9. Time Management
Time is of the essence, especially in Indian or Asian wedding. While wedding planners do save you precious time by handling countless tasks, they themselves should be able to maintain the same.
Ask how they plan to manage the timelines, deadlines, and appointments. Make it crystal clear that they should not miss out on a single thing.
Summing Up
Hiring a wedding planner for an Indian or Asian wedding in London is imperative. A good wedding planner will play a vital role in ensuring that your wedding is a seamless, memorable, and enchanting celebration of love.
While they handle all the tough tasks, you will be able to focus on enjoying solely on your special day and spend quality time with loved ones.
However, finding the right one can become daunting, especially if you don’t know have the right tips. By following the ones given above, you will at least be heading towards the right direction. But, feel free to forget some tips of your own too.