Questions to Ask Prospective Wedding Professionals
You want all your wedding professionals to be reliable, to meet the budget you’ve agreed on, and to get your personal style. For a destination wedding far from home, you may not meet the local professional until you arrive, which can make selection even trickier. These questions will help you find the best wedding pros for you.
Questions For Any Professional
Can you give me references from other couples you have worked with, whom I can talk to? What about other vendors you have worked with?
How will we communicate? By email, phone, Skype? (Even if you agree to communicate mainly by email, make sure you have a direct contact such as a phone, in case of last minute emergencies.)
How experienced are you with destination weddings and with this locale? (The farther afield you’re going, the more important this is!)
What are your travel fees for destination weddings, and who’s responsible for booking your travel?
Questions for Wedding Planners
Can you show me pictures or video of other weddings you have done?
What is included in your services? What is not?
How many years have you been in business? What is your background for this industry?
Do you specialize in any type of wedding, or prefer large vs small? Do you have a signature style?
Do you speak the local language? (for weddings in non-English speaking destinations) How familiar are you with local conditions and culture?
Questions for Wedding Photographers
Can I see a gallery of a whole wedding you have done? (not just a few samples on a website)
What is included in each of your packages?
Will you shoot the rehearsal and other wedding-related events?
Do you bring backup equipment? Do you have someone to fill in if illness or emergency prevents you from being at the wedding?
Do you have a favorite type of wedding to shoot, or a favorite part of the wedding?
What is your approach to shooting the whole event? To interacting or being invisible to guests? To do posed vs candid photos?
Questions for Wedding Videographers
Can we see a full video presentation you’ve done? (as opposed to just a sample or trailer)
What length videos do you offer? Highlights, short films, feature length films?
Do you shoot in HD?
What media formats will you provide us?
Have you filmed a destination wedding before? Do you know how to travel with gear and work with the elements?
How will you make my film unique from films you’ve created for other couples? How will you capture the vibe and emotion of our event?
How soon after the event will you have the film or trailer edited so we can share it with family and friends?
What is your backup plan if you experience a last-minute emergency and are unable to film our wedding?
Finally – remember that your destination wedding travel agent knows many destination wedding professionals. We would be happy to guide you in selecting and working with the best professionals for your event.
