What should you ask a wedding coordinator?

When you hire a wedding coordinator, you want to make sure he or she gets you and can execute perfectly your vision of your dream wedding. To find the very best fit, it’s important to ask these five questions:

• Are you available on my wedding date? If the coordinator isn’t available on your big day, there’s no reason to continue the interview — unless you’re willing to shift your date to accommodate their schedule.
• What’s average cost of most of your weddings? If the coordinator’s usual wedding is outside your range, they might not be the right coordinator for you. Ask whether the coordinator requires a minimum wedding budget. In general, the wedding coordinator’s fee should be about 15 percent of your budget.
• What is your speciality? Some coordinators specialize in day-of coordination, some create the overall vision, and others act as a producer. Make sure your wedding coordinator provides the type of services that will most help you create the event you have in mind, such as selecting vendors and handling their contracts, or managing the guest list and invitations.
• What are your ideas for fulfilling our wedding vision? After you describe your dream wedding — rustic or sophisticated, traditional or funky — the wedding coordinator should be able to suggest appropriate venues, menus, decorations, etc..

Do you have a portfolio? Ask to see photos of their favorite weddings, especially if they’ve managed any that are similar to what you have in mind. This will help you see if you like their style and if their ideas seem fresh and creative.