Wedding Planner Woes

[brendaman]

My wedding isn''t until March 2010, but I wanted to secure certain vendors now and thought I needed the help of a wedding planner. I didn''t think I needed a full-time wedding planner, so we found one that I would say would be between a partial and full-time planner. I hired the Wedding Planner based on past weddings she''s done, great recs (she''s on Wedding Wire) and my chemistry with her. I interviewed and/or emailed with about half a dozen planners until I found "the Planner".

The Planner helped me decide between a venue I could afford and one I LOVE so much that I was willing to pay a higher price for it. I wanted the Planner to review the proposed contract with the venue, but I stil haven''t officially hired the Planner. I''ve agreed to her terms and am awaiting a revised Wedding Planner contract. She''s sent me two emails telling me she would complete the Planner contract on that day. The days came and went, and it''s been about two weeks since I said to her that I was ready to provide her the deposit for secure her services. I''ve spoken to the Planner, who of course, is in the midst of the busy wedding season. She promised to send me the contract again. I''m tempted to sack the Planner, but I really don''t have a preferred alternative for the price and services the Planner is offering.

Am I expecting too much? On the other hand, I am about a little over 10 months away from my wedding, and it seems that most of the vendors I like are still open for my March 2010 wedding date. I don''t want to be someone who calls her Planner several times a day, but advice on the venue contract BEFORE I sign the contract is something I need/expect the Planner to do. I''m giving the Planner this week to respond with a revised proposal for her services. If I don''t hear anything from her by Friday, then I think I have to start interviewing other wedding planners?

 

[Inanna]

I don't think you're being too picky.

Two weeks is too long for a planner to string a potential client along IMO. You shouldn't have to chase her down to GIVE her money. Even though your wedding is 10 months away, now is the time to book a venue. She's delaying you in this process, which could end up hurting you. I don't think it should take her more than an hour to put a contract together for you, probably less.

If I were in your shoes, I'd send her a very firm email that you need the contract NOW or else you need to take your business elsewhere.

ETA: I think there are planners out there who do budget/contract consultations and charge by the hour. If you have a contract from the venue and feel like you need assistance reviewing it, you may want to look into one of these consultation services.

 

[Octavia]

Ditto Inanna, but I''d call instead of email. I''d also reconsider this planner, since it doesn''t seem like she''s as interested in working for you as you are in hiring her...and that would make me wonder about whether she''ll be any better about it once the contract is signed. If she''s a deadbeat, better to find out now than after you''ve hired her.