Your wedding day represents one of life’s most significant investments—not just financially, but emotionally. When you’re planning a luxury celebration, especially a destination wedding, the stakes are even higher. The wrong planner can turn your dream into a nightmare, while the right one transforms your vision into an unforgettable reality. I know: what questions to ask wedding planner is your recurrent stress as you’re willing to do the most perfect choice for this unique journey.
After 17+ years orchestrating luxury weddings across Southern France, the French Riviera, Lake Como —and being honored as a 4-time TOP 100 World Luxury Wedding Planner—I’ve learned that the most successful celebrations begin with couples who ask the right questions.
Today, I’m sharing the 9 essential questions that will help you identify a truly professional luxury wedding planner and avoid costly mistakes. These aren’t just interview questions—they’re your roadmap to finding a planner who will protect your investment and exceed your expectations.
Questions About Experience and Credentials
Question 1: “How many luxury weddings have you planned, and can you show me recent examples?” (this one is definitely part of your list of what to ask your wedding planner before booking)
Why this matters: Portfolio photos can be misleading. Anyone can curate beautiful images, but consistent luxury execution requires proven experience.
What to look for: A planner should easily provide 3-5 recent weddings similar to your vision and budget range. I limit myself to 10-12 weddings annually in Europe specifically to maintain the highest quality standards.
Red flag: Vague answers about “many weddings” without specific recent examples, or portfolios that seem inconsistent in quality and style.
Question 2: “What professional credentials, industry recognition and press feature do you have?”
Why this matters: The luxury wedding industry has standards. Professional recognition indicates peer acknowledgment and commitment to excellence.
What to look for: Industry awards, professional certifications, speaking engagements, or published expertise. For example, being recognized as a TOP 100 World Luxury Wedding Planner requires rigorous peer review and client testimonials.
Red flag: No professional credentials or reluctance to discuss industry involvement.
Questions About Process and Communication
Question 3: “Walk me through your complete planning process from consultation to wedding day.”
Why this matters: Professional planners have systematic approaches that ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
What to look for: A clear, multi-phase process. My approach includes: Initial Consultation → Customized Proposal & Budget → Agreement & €7,000 Deposit → Venue Selection → Key Vendor Selection → Design Development. Each phase should have defined deliverables and timelines.
Red flag: Vague descriptions or “we figure it out as we go” approaches.
Question 4: “How do you handle communication, and what are your response time commitments?”
Why this matters: Communication breakdowns are the #1 cause of wedding planning disasters, especially for destination weddings.
What to look for: Clear communication protocols, defined business hours, and realistic response time commitments. I provide 24/7 AislePlanner access with office hours Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm CET, and commit to <1 hour response times during business hours.
Red flag: No defined communication standards or unrealistic promises like “available 24/7.”
Questions About Vendor Relationships and Local Expertise
Why this matters: Your planner’s vendor network directly impacts your wedding quality and budget.
Question 5: “How do you select and vet your vendors?”
What to look for: Specific vetting criteria including responsiveness, service quality, insurance requirements (like RCPro in France), and proven luxury experience. I maintain 15+ year relationships with vetted vendors across all my destinations.
Red flag: “We work with everyone” or inability to explain vendor selection criteria.
Question 6: “What local expertise do you have in my chosen destination?”
Why this matters: Destination weddings require intimate knowledge of local regulations, customs, and logistics.
What to look for: Specific examples of local knowledge, established vendor relationships, understanding of legal requirements, and cultural sensitivity. For instance, I can coordinate weddings with up to 11 different nationalities because I understand diverse cultural requirements.
Red flag: Generic answers or treating all destinations the same way.
Questions About Pricing and Value
Question 7: “What exactly is included in your fee, and how do you handle additional costs?”
Why this matters: Hidden costs and scope creep can destroy your budget.
What to look for: Transparent, itemized fee structures with clear inclusions and exclusions. My €17,800 fee includes consultation, full-service planning, venue selection, wedding website consultation, unlimited appointments, vendor management, and coordination with a team of planners.
Red flag: Vague pricing or reluctance to provide detailed breakdowns.Questions About Crisis Management and Guarantees
Question 8: “What happens if something goes wrong, and what backup plans do you have?”
Why this matters: Luxury weddings require contingency planning for weather, vendor issues, and unexpected challenges.
What to look for: Comprehensive crisis management protocols, backup vendor relationships, and clear problem-resolution processes. I maintain detailed emergency response plans with three severity levels and backup systems for all critical services.
Red flag: “Nothing ever goes wrong” or no formal contingency planning.
Question 9: “What guarantees do you provide, and what is your cancellation policy?”
Why this matters: Professional planners stand behind their work with clear policies and guarantees.
What to look for: Written contracts with clear cancellation terms, refund policies, and service guarantees. My contracts include detailed postponement clauses for medical and personal reasons, with transparent fee structures for each scenario.
Red flag: No written guarantees or unreasonable cancellation penalties.
Evaluating the Answers: What Separates True Professionals
Signs of a Professional Luxury Wedding Planner
Transparency: They answer all questions directly and provide detailed information without hesitation.
Systems: They have documented processes, professional tools, and established protocols.
Boundaries: They clearly define what they do and don’t do, maintaining realistic expectations.
Experience: They share specific examples and demonstrate deep destination knowledge.
Warning Signs to Avoid
Pressure tactics: Pushing for immediate decisions or deposits without proper consultation.
Vague responses: Inability to provide specific examples or detailed process explanations.
Unrealistic promises: Guaranteeing perfection or claiming they can handle unlimited scope.
Poor communication: Slow responses during the consultation phase or unprofessional correspondence.
The Investment in Excellence
Understanding True Value
Luxury wedding planning isn’t just about creating beautiful celebrations—it’s about protecting your investment, managing complex logistics, and ensuring flawless execution. When you’re spending €200,000-€700,000+ on your wedding, the planner’s fee represents insurance for your entire investment.
What Professional Planning Delivers
Peace of mind: Knowing every detail is managed by experienced professionals.
Local expertise: Access to the best vendors, venues, and insider knowledge.
Crisis management: Professional problem-solving when challenges arise.
Cultural sensitivity: Seamless coordination of diverse guest needs and traditions.
Quality control: Consistent luxury standards throughout your celebration.
Making Your Decision
Trust Your Instincts
Beyond credentials and processes, trust your instincts about personality fit. You’ll be working closely with your planner for 6 to 18 months. Choose someone whose communication style, energy, and vision alignment feel right for your relationship.
The Consultation Process
A professional luxury wedding planner will provide a comprehensive consultation that addresses all these questions naturally. This initial meeting should feel like a strategic planning session, not a sales pitch.
Some of Links for your review:
Link to our venues in Provence, in French Riviera, in Lake Como
Link to our services page
Link to our about page
Link to our consultation booking
