Picking the Perfect Planner
May 8, 2025
Choosing whether to hire a wedding planner is a personal decision—but if you decide to go that route, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. They offer different levels of service and specialize in different types of weddings. It may seem like there are endless choices and possibilities. So, what should you be looking for in a potential wedding planner? Let’s break down our top tips for picking the right planner.
Ask those around you first, then expand your search
Ask recently married friends and family who they went with. Accessing the hive mind is a great place to start your search! If this doesn’t turn up anything, start expanding your search online. Check local listings (especially social media!) for planners nearby and read lots of reviews. Check out some top planners here:
The top 10 wedding planners in Toronto
3 Best Wedding Planners in Vancouver, BC – Expert Recommendations
Wedding & Event Planners in Montreal, QC | 78 Planners
Best Wedding Planners in Calgary – Avenue Calgary
Have a list of questions and set up a meeting
This meeting can be in-person or over the phone, either way it’s a good idea to have a set of questions to ask your planner. This is the best way to get a feel for their professionalism, communication, expertise and general vibe. Some questions to consider asking are:
- How many weddings have you planned?
- Have you worked at [your venue] before?
- Can you accommodate our cultural/traditional preferences (if relevant)?
- What services are included in your packages?
- How do you handle last-minute changes or emergencies?
- Do you work with a team?
- What is your payment structure?
Communication is key
Clear and timely communication is essential during wedding planning. Ask how they prefer to communicate—email, phone, text—and how quickly they typically respond. Setting expectations early can save stress later on.
If their communication preferences clash with yours (e.g., you prefer emails, but they only want phone calls), think about whether that will be a deal-breaker for you. You’re going to be in touch with this person a lot—make sure it feels easy and natural.
Vibes
Sometimes the best way to tell if a wedding planner is the right choice, is simply by how well you vibe and mesh with them! Remember, you will be spending a lot of time with them. You’ll be collaborating and sharing your wedding dreams with them. Having someone who listens, is trustworthy, and truly works with you is the most important thing when choosing a potential planner.
Cost
Now that you know what to look for and have some tips on choosing the best planner, it’s important to consider the potential cost of this service. In Canada, the average cost of a wedding planner typically ranges between $3,500 and $10,000, depending on the scope of services provided, the planner’s experience level, and the complexity of your wedding.
- Full-service planners, who manage everything from start to finish, will generally be at the higher end of that range (or even more, especially in major cities).
- Partial planning or month-of coordination is usually more budget-friendly, offering support with final logistics and vendor coordination leading up to the wedding day.
- Some planners also offer à la carte services, which allow you to hire them for specific tasks—like vendor sourcing, timeline creation, day-of coordination, or décor setup.
Ottawa Wedding Chapel Planners
The chapel provides an on-site coordinator, so our smaller weddings do not generally involve planners, but sometime larger ones are supported by a planner. Here is a list of local favourites:
In conclusion, some couples find wedding planners are indispensable, and actually save them money by avoiding mistakes or finding the best deals and quality for catering, bouquet/floral arrangements, or venues. Some find the stress reduction of having a planner in charge of pulling together all the details allows them to be more well-rested and fully be present to enjoy their wedding. At the end of the day, your wedding should be a joyful, memorable experience—and the right planner can make that happen.