Three Things to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Planner

(Or, how to avoid planning regret and actually enjoy your engagement)

Planning a wedding can feel a bit like wandering through a Pinterest rabbit hole, with champagne in one hand and mild panic in the other. That’s where hiring a wedding planner can save your sanity and bring your dream day to life without you wanting to elope out of sheer exhaustion.

But before you jump into this beautiful relationship (and it really is a relationship), there are a few questions you should be asking of your potential planner and yourself.

These aren’t trick questions. They’re the kind of honest, down-to-earth conversations we wish more couples would have with us right at the start. So before you send off that booking fee, read this. You’ll be so glad you did.

1. What’s actually included in your packages?

Not all wedding planners are created equal, and no two services are quite the same. Some planners strictly coordinate, others style, and some (like us!) do both - plus vendor management, floor plans, run sheets, and pep talks when your aunty wants to bring her own flowers.

At Sparrow Weddings & Events, we offer a range of services from full Planning & Styling to Month-Of Management, depending on how much support you need. Want to hand over the reins and just rock up looking fabulous? We’ve got you. Prefer to do some of the planning but need help tying it all together and running the show on the day? We’ve got you there too.

Just make sure the planner you’re chatting to explains exactly what you’re getting so there are no “wait, that’s not included?” moments down the track.

2. Have you worked with our venue before?

This is a juicy one. A planner who knows your venue inside-out can give you insights you’ll never find on the brochure. Where the good light is. Which corners get a little gusty. Which vendor access points are going to cause headaches if not carefully timed.

We’ve worked at countless venues around Adelaide and beyond, and when we’re new to a location, we always do a site visit early in the process so we’re fully across the layout, access, and quirks. That local knowledge is gold. Especially when your dress zipper breaks right before the ceremony (true story - we had a plan B).

Pic by Deon & Reni

3. How does the planning process work with you?

Here’s the thing - chemistry matters. You want to click with your planner. You also want to understand what the experience of working with them will feel like.

Will you have regular check-ins? Do they take your inspo and run with it, or collaborate closely with you? Are they the kind of planner who sends you fourteen spreadsheet tabs on a Tuesday or one clear action list with coffee emojis?

At Sparrow, we’re big believers in calm, collaborative planning. We guide you through the process with clarity and warmth, so you feel supported but never steamrolled. Our clients often say they feel like we’re a friend who just happens to be excellent at logistics, and that’s exactly the energy we’re going for.

Bonus Questions We Love When Couples Ask:

  • Do you carry insurance? Yes, and so should anyone working on your wedding. We’re fully insured and only recommend vendors who are, too.

  • How many people will you provide to work our wedding? Depending on the size and scope of your day, we always make sure we have the right number of hands on deck - our team is the best in the biz.

  • Do you typically work with weddings within our budget? We’re happy to have honest conversations about budget early on. Our Planning & Styling clients generally spend upwards of $85,000, but we have options for various levels of support, and we always make sure your budget is working hard for you.

Final Thoughts on Hiring a Wedding Planner

Here’s your permission slip to interview your wedding planner. Ask the hard questions. Get a feel for how they work, not just what they charge. Because when it’s the right fit, everything clicks - your stress melts, your vision comes to life, and you get to enjoy this ride with someone in your corner from day one.

If you’re ready to start the conversation about hiring a wedding planner, we’d love to hear from you. You can check out our Services, browse our Gallery, or Get In Touch when you’re ready to dive in.

Let’s make some wedding magic.