Months before your big event, you’ll probably start browsing websites and magazines for information. Soon afterwards, you’ll feel overwhelmed by an array of checklists and a never-ending list of to-dos, and that’s when it dawns on you that you need to hire a professional event planner. Getting the best event planners in Washington DC is not a breeze. There are several factors to consider.
Consider the Type of Service you need
Events bring a flurry of choices to be made, but you need to make certain decisions ahead of time. The first choice is the type of services you need from your event planner. A full-service wedding planner will typically handle all details of your wedding from hiring a venue to contracting videographers and caterers. However, many wedding planners offer partial services. While partial services can save you some money, a full-service planner will lessen the stress load.
Interview your event planner
Set up a few interviews before choosing your event planner. Spare some time to talk to at least two or three potentials and compare their costs and services. Ask about their professional credentials, how long they have worked in the industry and what types of events they’ve planned in the past. A good planner should be willing to provide verifiable references and a work history that gives you confidence in their skills.
Chemistry
There needs to be good chemistry between you and the planner. A good event planner will strive to understand your needs and provide recommendations to articulate your vision to the best of their knowledge. As you may be working together for a relatively long period, the planner should be easy going, fun and comfortable to work with.
Check out Portfolios
Ask for portfolios and clearly examine them before making a choice. The planner you settle for should have the ability to weave consistently, design elements through every aspect of your event, from the invitation cards to the décor. Confirm that the elements were actually conceptualized by the planner and not an independent third party. Do a background check and ask the right questions. You can also reach out to family members and friends that have used an event planner to ask for referrals and recommendations.
Total Cost and Budget
Be wary of extremely low prices or caps on the total cost. This doesn’t mean you should go well over your budget but allocate a reasonable proportion of your total budget for event planning.
