wedding 2023 | HIRING A PLANNER

by Anne Pyburn Craig

date posted: March 15, 2023

Photo by After It All Photography. Wedding at Ankony Carriage House. Flowers by Lavender & Leaf. Planning by Main Course.

Weddings are a big deal, made up of many moving parts that can be overwhelming for the soon-to-be newlyweds. But that’s all in a day’s work for wedding planners, who just need from you the components that will give them a recipe to follow in crafting your celebration. Hiring the right planner can take an enormous load from your shoulders and leave you and your beloved the free time to relish being engaged while anticipating the big day. Hiring the wrong planner can lead to multiple frustrations that leave you exhausted by the time the party rolls around. Here are important questions to ask potential planners, to help you find the one who’s right for you.

Hiring the right wedding planner can take an enormous load from your shoulders, while hiring the wrong planner can lead to multiple frustrations.

Photo: Nomadic Love. Venue: Red Maple Vineyard. Flowers: Athabold. Planning: Gina Maloney Events

• What packages do you offer, and what services does each include?

Wedding planning can be full-service or partial. Some couples want to make a few decisions and let the planner do the rest; others just want someone to coordinate vendors or be the point person on the Big Day. What you don’t want is a misunderstanding where you assume some detail is covered, only to find out at the last minute that it’s not.

• Do you have weddings in your portfolio that are in our planned price range? Of a similar general type?

How much bang you can expect to get for your buck can be tricky to put into words, and pictures and descriptions of other specific events can be helpful. If a planner’s entire portfolio consists of formal events and you’re planning something rustic, they may not be your person. Or they may be creatively stoked to do something different. Communicate!

It’s a good idea to memorialize final decisions in writing to keep things clear.

• How collaborative is your style?

Finding out in advance how much input the planner is expecting and knowing how much you want to offer will help you make the right match. Some planners are comfortable crafting every detail, while others will expect to consult you about more of the choices. Clear expectations from the start will minimize frustration on both sides.

• What’s your preferred way to communicate, and how flexible are you about it?

If you’re someone who’d always rather talk on the phone than read an email, will that work for them? (It’s still a good idea to memorialize final decisions in writing to keep things clear.) How often will your planner keep in touch? What’s the best time of day to connect?

• How big is your team, and who handles what?

Will your planner be handling everything themselves, or will there be other people involved in the planning and on The Day? Depending on the size of your event, a team can be invaluable—or you might feel better working with someone who keeps everything in one basket and holds onto the handle.

catskills concierge

Catskills, 518-821-1750, catskillsconcierge.com

Your go-to wedding guru. Boasting over 10 years of experience in planning and executing, from off-the-grid to classic charm, weddings, and special events. If there is one thing we’ve learned, it’s that not one wedding is the same and we are here to guide your unique style and requests! Provide staffing for out-of-town catering and beverage services. Connections to local venues and vendors. Specializing in day-of coordination.

gina maloney events

Hudson Valley, 845-853-4075, ginamaloneyevents.com

For Hudson Valley’s most beautiful and unique weddings— couples call upon Gina Maloney Events. Winner of The Knot’s “Hall of Fame” and voted “Best Wedding Planner in The Hudson Valley” by Hudson Valley Magazine, Gina and her staff are dedicated to making your wedding the most special, stress-free, and fun affair that reflects your personality and dreams. Follow us on Instagram @ginamaloney_events

h. smith & co.

Catskills, 845-798-7650, hsmithandco.com

H. Smith & Co. will walk you through the entire event planning process and be there every step of the way. Together we will create a warm, personal, detail-driven event and have a great time doing it! Our expertise and creativity ensure that when the time for the big event comes, you’ll be able to actually enjoy it; confident that we are there with you to make sure everything goes just as planned.

hudson valley elope

New Paltz, 917-406-5749, hudsonvalleyelope.com

Hudson Valley Elope creates unique wedding ceremonies with couples who want to begin their marriage uniquely. We are a Photographer, Officiant, and Coordinator team. Our ceremonies are earthy and grounded, with the couple at the core. Michele learns your love story to create a custom written ceremony that includes meaningful and spiritual rituals. Erica photographs your wedding in a documentary style that captures genuine emotions and records events as they unfold.

main course

New Paltz, 845-255-2600, maincoursecatering.com

Every couple has a unique vision for their wedding day, and Main Course event planners are there to help bring that vision to life. Whether it’s deciding on the perfect venue or choosing the right china pattern, Main Course staff will be by your side to ensure that every detail is addressed. Expect highly personalized service from their professional staff whose only goal is to make the planning process as easy for you as walking down the aisle.

rsvp by b

Hudson Valley, 845-202-3340, rsvpbyb.com

RSVP by B Wedding Coordination serves the beautiful Hudson Valley! We primarily focus on wedding day coordination. We know what it takes to create a smooth, stress-free, beautiful wedding. We are organized, energetic, and detail-oriented. We have your best interest at heart and we take our responsibility of creating an experience that you will remember seriously. We believe in making your day happen your way!