Choosing a Lake Tahoe wedding planner is an exciting milestone in your wedding planning process. The thought of having an expert at your side to guide you through the beautiful chaos of planning makes every decision feel a little lighter. But how do you find “the one” among so many planners? It all starts with asking the right wedding planner questions, which will help you determine who aligns best with your vision.

To make things easier, we’ve rounded up 17 essential questions for hiring a wedding planner in Lake Tahoe. From basic logistics to in-depth processes, these key questions will make sure you’re equipped for choosing a wedding planner that’s the perfect fit for your dream day.

Start with the Basic Wedding Planner Questions

Before falling in love with a wedding planner’s style and portfolio, confirm they check these non-negotiable boxes. These logistical wedding planner questions establish whether it’s even practical to continue the conversation.

1. Are You Available on Our Wedding Date?

This is your first and most critical question. If the planner isn’t available, your search continues. However, some seasoned planners may recommend other trusted professionals in the area or help you find solutions if your date is flexible.

2. Can You Work Within Our Budget?

Wedding budgets come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to see if their services align with your financial plan. Some planners have minimum budget requirements, while others cater to various price ranges. Come prepared with at least a rough figure so you can gauge if this partnership is a realistic match. 

(P.S. At Epic Thyme, we have a wedding budget worksheet available to help you and your fiancé determine a realistic budget.)

3. What Are Your Wedding Planning Packages and Services?

Not all planners offer the same type of packages. Some specialize in full-service planning, while others focus solely on day-of coordination or partial planning. Knowing this upfront helps you decide if their services meet your needs.

Then, Get Into the Details

Once you’ve covered availability and compatibility, dig into the details that will shape your planning experience. These specific wedding planner questions help you understand their process, approach, and hands-on involvement.

4. How Do You Help Couples Stay on Track During the Planning Process?

Every planner has their own method for keeping couples organized, from digital timelines to monthly check-ins. Getting a glimpse into their planning tools and strategies helps you make sure you’ll feel supported every step of the way.

5. How Many Meetings Will We Have Together?

When you ask this question, be prepared for the wedding planner to say, “As many as we need!” While that’s a great thing, it’s important to know how many scheduled meetings are required. Most of the time, a planner will have a set number of meetings included in their packages, giving you a better understanding of the minimum time required of you.

6. How Many Hours Does It Take to Plan a Wedding?

Planning a wedding is a time-intensive process that requires thoughtful preparation and meticulous attention to detail. On average, crafting a memorable wedding takes about 380 hours for a great celebration and up to 500 hours for a WOW experience. That’s around 10-12 weeks of full-time work! Typically, 35% of this time (about 150 hours) is managed by the couple, while 65% (roughly 230 hours) is handled by a wedding planner. While you’ll be involved in meaningful decisions like choosing vendors, finalizing guest lists, and tastings, your planner will take charge of the logistics, ensuring everything is seamless.

When asking this question, get specifics from your potential planner about their time commitment and role in the process. A skilled planner will streamline your involvement, focusing your energy on the enjoyable parts while handling details like vendor contracts, timelines, and coordination. This collaboration makes the experience smooth, purposeful, and genuinely exciting, leaving you to savor the magic of your wedding day stress-free!

7. Do You Help Find and Secure a Lake Tahoe Wedding Venue?

If you’re still searching for the perfect Lake Tahoe wedding venue, this is a critical question. Experienced planners will often have insider knowledge of the best Lake Tahoe venues to match your vision, saving you precious time and stress. 

(For example, do you want to prioritize sustainability at your wedding? These are our favorite eco-friendly venues in Tahoe!)

8. Do You Help Find and Secure Lake Tahoe Wedding Vendors?

One of the benefits of hiring a wedding planner is their expertise and relationships with local vendors. If your planner has strong ties with trusted photographers, florists, and caterers, you’re already one step ahead!

9. How Involved Are You in Tastings, Site Visits, and Other Events?

From cake tastings to layout walkthroughs, the prep process can feel like a whirlwind. Clarify how present your planner will be for big moments to know whether you’ll have their expert guidance throughout.

(At Epic Thyme, we don’t just help with the big day but all the little important moments in between, like your wedding rehearsal and dinner!)

10. Do You Handle Invitations, Rentals, Vendor Contracts, and Payments?

Weddings involve many people, and it’s good to know who is in charge of the logistics of those relationships. For example, if you rent wedding lounge furniture, who places the order? Who schedules the pick-up and drop-off time? Who signs the contract and handles the direct payment? Planners do things differently, so it’s good to know ahead of time if you will need to manage these aspects or if your planner steps in to help. 

Next, Ask About Wedding Day Details

Once you’re confident they’ll support your planning process, make sure they’ll also be fully prepared for the big day itself. When it comes to what to ask a wedding planner, these questions can help prevent any unwelcome surprises on your wedding day.

11. Will You Attend My Wedding?

This may sound like a given, but some planners delegate day-of tasks to their team. If having your lead planner on-site is important to you, confirm this detail ahead of time.

12. How Many Planners, Assistants, or Staff Will Work the Wedding?

A well-staffed team can make all the difference in handling the logistics of large weddings. Understand how many hands will be on deck to help with setup, coordination, and breakdown.

13. What is Your Process for Developing and Executing a Plan B?

No one wants to think about things going wrong on their wedding day, but emergencies happen. A skilled planner will have contingency plans for everything from rain showers to last-minute vendor issues. Ask for examples of real-life problem-solving to gauge their experience.

Finally, Ask About Their Experience

If everything checks out so far, bravo! You’re nearly ready to seal the deal. These final wedding planner questions ensure the planner’s experience aligns with your expectations.

14. How Much Do Your Wedding Planning Services Cost?

Pricing will vary depending on experience, location, and packages offered. Most planners can provide a detailed breakdown of their services and payment terms before you commit.

15. How Many Lake Tahoe Weddings Have You Planned?

Tahoe’s unique landscape requires a planner familiar with its venues, terrain, and logistics. Find out how experienced they are with local weddings to make sure they are adept at navigating this one-of-a-kind location.

16. How Many Weddings Do You Plan at Once?

Some planners only take a handful of clients each year, while others juggle multiple events at once. Determine what their workload looks like during the lead-up to your wedding to better understand your level of attention and care.

17. Do You Have Testimonials from Past Couples?

There’s no better way to trust a planner than by reading glowing testimonials from previous clients. Hearing directly from couples who’ve worked with them can give you valuable insights into their strengths.

We Plan Epic Weddings in Lake Tahoe — Let’s Plan Yours!

By asking these essential wedding planner questions, you’ll feel confident about choosing a wedding planner who suits your style, budget, and needs. Knowing what to ask a wedding planner gives you the tools to find the perfect partner to make your dream Lake Tahoe wedding come to life.

Still have questions about hiring a wedding planner for your special day? Contact us at Epic Thyme! We’d love to share our experience, expertise, and passion to help make your celebration as stress-free and joyful as possible.