It’s easy to get overwhelmed with your picking your destination wedding. Who to hire? What to secure first? When is the best time? The list goes on and on. But not to worry, we are here to help! Destination weddings are showstoppers, but there are a lot of details that need to be taken care of to make sure the show is not stopped! To ensure that everything runs smoothly, it’s essential to hire the perfect wedding planner! As an experienced, Maui wedding coordinator, Lorrie Betsill Nielson put together the ultimate guide to picking your destination wedding planner.
Photo: Wendy Laurel Photography
Connection is Key
First things first, do your homework. Make sure to read reviews, call references, view portfolios and recent weddings of the potential planners. Once it’s narrowed down, call or FaceTime with them to get a feel for their personality. This will allow you to see who you connect with! This is especially important when you’re planning a destination wedding. You want to be sure you share the same vision and priorities. It’s best to look for a planner who is experienced, organized, excited and easy to communicate with!
Photo: Wendy Laurel Photography
Knows What’s Best
Another important quality to look for when choosing a destination wedding planner is local knowledge and connections. They should know all the “ins and outs” of the area as well as all the best vendors for your special day! Your mind will be at ease as you begin to trust your destination wedding planner to bring on board valued and quality local vendors. Just leave it to your planner to know which ones are best for you!
Photo: Mike Adrian Photography
Trust!
As a long-time Maui wedding coordinator, I’ve learned that it all comes down to trust. If you feel like you can trust your planner to execute the destination wedding of your dreams, then you found your match. Oftentimes with destination weddings, you’re planning from afar, so trust is absolutely key for a less stressful planning process.
Photo: Mike Adrian Photography
Stay On Budget
Budget is always a priority, and the planner is there to help with that as well! It’s always a good idea to communicate your priorities to a prospective destination wedding coordinator. If you’d prefer to budget more toward flowers than food, make that clear. This will help the planner get a better idea of how to execute your dream wedding!
Photo: Mike Adrian Photography
New BFF’s
Now that you understand what to look for to hire the best destination wedding planner for you, get ready to become best friends! They will be with you every step of the way, helping you with anything and everything you need. Don’t be afraid to ask their opinion if you are stuck or need help. The planner is familiar with the traditions, language and everything in between, so no need to worry! They are there for you!
Photo: Wendy Laurel Photography
By following these guidelines, you should have no problem choosing the destination wedding planner of your dreams! Maui’s Angels wishes you all the best of luck in your search and we hope to see you in Maui soon! In the meantime, comment below with what qualities you’re looking for in a Maui wedding coordinator!
