You have finally set the date and are now at the stage of looking for a wedding planner in California because you know that you can’t do it all alone. There is so much to do that your head is already spinning. Your maid-of-honor suggested that you hire a wedding planner who will do almost everything for you, except walk down the aisle that is. So, here you are but with so many to choose from, how do you begin? Is this just one more challenge to set your already inflamed nerve on fire? If so, here is a bit of advice that just might make the decision a little bit easier.

Treat It Like Looking for Any Other Kind of Business

Before looking at recommendations from friends and reading online reviews, here is some of what you also need to look at. First of all, the very best advice you can be given is to treat this as you would when looking for any other kind of business. Make absolutely certain that they are licensed in the state and have all the verifying documents to authenticate it.

Also, you will want to absolutely know that they carry what you consider to be important insurance for California-based businesses. While not mandated by law in the state for small businesses, general liability is something that you might want them to carry and perhaps professional liability as well. You never know what one small mishap or mistake could do to delay this long-awaited day.

Now It’s Time to Begin Your Search

Yes, you ‘could’ start with those ‘highly recommended’ wedding planners a friend used but sometimes you can write them off from the very start. Maybe you hated the venue they found, or the food served as part of the package. Perhaps they booked totally horrible entertainment or advised the bridal party to carry the most atrocious flowers. At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect your unique style and preferences, not someone else’s idea of a perfect day. While recommendations are helpful, trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to build a team that truly understands your vision. And when everything falls perfectly into place, don’t forget to thank your wedding planning staff for their hard work in bringing your dream to life.

Even so, there may be a few worth meeting with and if you are a person who goes with that ‘gut level’ first impression, don’t change your tactics now! You can do a ton of research online, but the best advice is to talk to at least a few before making your final decision.

Not All Wedding Planners Were Created Equal

Bear in mind that there are some things you would personally like to handle. So then, look at the pricing of the various packages they offer. If budget is an issue, that may make a difference as well. Look at some of the weddings they have planned within their portfolio to get an idea of what they are capable of.

This part of the process may take a few days, or weeks even, but certainly not all the months it takes to plan the perfect wedding you’ve dreamed of your entire life. The one thing you will need to be assured of is that the lines of communication will be left open and that you have the final veto if they intend to make plans that you are totally against. With that said, happy hunting!