From The Straits Times    |

The Wedding Entourage 8.jpg

Photo: Female Brides Issue 10

I have worked with some of the top wedding planners for bridal events here, and they have always been professional, efficient and meticulous. While there are many planners offering their services here, some seem to specialise only in cosy, intimate receptions while others deal with mainly grand events and banquets.

The advantages of having a wedding planner are many: He/she would free you of all the wedding prep stress, help you with your budgeting, contribute creatively to your ideas and concepts and most of all, let you enjoy your big day without any worries.

So what do you look for in a good wedding planner? Here are 5 points to take note of at your first meeting:

A Clear Understanding
Even if you’re not too sure of what you want for your wedding, a good planner would be able to clarify and define your needs clearly. Most planners would insist on a few meet-ups before confirming the exact plans and details for your wedding. This is to ensure that everyone involved in the project has no misunderstandings and is clear of what is expected before the work is started.

Well Presented
Good planners will always present their ideas, mood boards and work lists that provide you with a clear overall picture of what is going to happen. Details are listed clearly, along with the cost and added suggestions and remarks. The boards and work lists are a reference source planners and vendors can turn to as the work progresses to ensure that everyone is on the same page creatively.

Added Creativity
More than just understanding your plans and executing it, good wedding planners often add on to your concept with creative and unique ideas. If they have a good grasp of what your needs are, they would be able to suggest ideas that would flow beautifully with your overall concept and reflect your own personal styles and tastes. It’s that added creative extra that separates the good planners from the rest. They would also highlight any costs for any additional items so you will be clear from the start what you need to pay.

Maximum Efficiency
Good planners will check with you on every step of the wedding prep as it progresses along. This is to ensure you are fine with the works completed, and also to let you have an option of making any last minute changes before anything is cast in stone. The planner would also have a detailed working schedule that he/she will adhere to closely and ensure that all the tasks are completed in time.

Make It Real
There are planners who paint beautiful and pictures but can only deliver something disappointing, bland and ordinary. Anyone can make grand promises but can they actually realise them? A great wedding planner would never make empty promises; he/she would be able to back up her promises with detailed plans and firm ideas. Always ask and be clear about how a planner would be able to realise your dream creatively and within budget.

Got any wedding-related questions? We’re happy to help! Please drop us an e-mail at sthio@sph.com.sg should you wish to submit your queries. Please note that your queries and our responses may be featured in the magazine, or on the website.