NOW WHAT?

As the old adage goes, one decision leads to another.

The first and most important aspect to ensure that your wedding day in Paradise is as you imagined, is to begin the process of finding that perfect person or company that is going to guide you through the numerous stages…aka THE WEDDING PLANNER.

“ Well why do I need a wedding planner? I’ve read every Martha Stewart Wedding Book, Modern Bride Magazine and I even planned my high school prom! How hard can it be”???

This is no time to find your inner party planner! You go to your doctor to find out if you are healthy. You go to your lawyer to make sure you have all your ducks in a row. You hire financial professionals to manage your money, why oh why would you spend all the time and money you are going to spend on the most important day of your lives and not hire someone who knows the ins and outs of what you are taking on.

Prior to becoming an event and wedding planner, the biggest regrets I had ever heard from brides and grooms is that their families and friends had too many responsibilities. They couldn’t enjoy the festivities because they were so tired and worn out from running around and dealing with all the months and months of details leading up to the big day. You want everyone that has taken the time to fly down here to enjoy every moment of their trip. Not be running around making sure that every candle is in perfect position. Honor them as they have honored you by making the time to spend with you on your day.

The second biggest consideration is that, while you are a very well traveled couple who has trekked Mt. Kilimanjaro and spent night after night wandering the Left Bank in search of the perfect cabaret, you have never planned an event in Mexico. You have never created an itinerary for 75 people all arriving at different times from different locations. Your idea of a dinner party is calling the Orchid Garden and having the party platter for 10 delivered, let alone planning rehearsal dinners, menus, specialty cocktails, cake flavors, hotels, villas, ground transport (a.k.a. automobiles) etc. Did I mention the additional factor that you have never planned an event in Mexico!

Be Smart. Make a wise investment. Hire a Wedding Planner!

Now that you have come to your senses you ask, “How do I know whom to hire?”. Years ago there was only one choice in Vallarta. Times have changed and as one of the world’s top wedding destinations, Vallarta has also attracted some great wedding and event planners as well as some duds. Your planner needs to a person or team that is keenly aware of what your needs are going to be. Someone that is going to provide you with the level of service you are accustomed to. You need someone who you trust to guide you down the road. Someone who you can trust to have a conversation with your mother of father or better yet, someone who can deal with the inter-family politics: THE MONSTER IN LAW! Most importantly, someone who has the resources to handle the scope of your event. This includes staff, reliable vendors, a solid business, and above all happy clients.

Ask the right questions. You are going to be spending a lot of time with your planner. Choosing a wedding planner is like choosing a lawyer or any other kind of professional. The reality is you need someone who can get the job done, on time, on budget and they need to be on page with you. They need to be accessible, and not just on Fridays because that is the day they send email! It is also key that you trust this person. There is a lot of money, time and responsibilities being given to this person. Do your homework. Choose wisely.

Check REFERENCES. Check References. Check References!

Listen to what their past clients have said about them. What were their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they look back on your big day? If someone has the huevos not to honor your request for references or just refers you to their web site “praises” page, MOVE ON! They are not worth the salt on the table next to the empty Tequila glass!

Bottom Line:

I’ve never known anyone who walked away from their wedding experience and said, “WOW, you know what? I really didn’t need a planner. I sooooooo could have done that on my own”. Now go ahead, start searching. You will regret not doing it.

Come back next week when we start looking at “Choosing the Perfect Location”.