Questions for your Travel Agency

Is your preferred date available? No sense going any further until you’ve determined whether this place is available.

•What is the total occupancy of the site? If the site can’t accommodate your large family, you’ll have to move on.

•Does the facility also allow ceremonies to be performed on site? Most will.

•What kind of food does the site specialize in? You want to get an idea of whether the site can meet your specific desires here. If you’re looking for a vegetarian meal and the location you’re considering serves only spit-fired pig roasts, it might not be a good fit.

•Is there a dance floor? How large? Can your boogying friends and family all fit into the space?
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What about the bar? How large is it, and how many bartenders will be on duty? You don’t want parched guests standing in line for thirty minutes waiting for their booze.

•Will you pay for coat checkers and valet parking attendants? In upscale places, the answer is usually yes.

•How much will you pay for the site per hour? What’s the fee for running overtime? Obviously, these fees vary from place to place.

•Does the site charge a cake-cutting or wine-corking fee? How much? Many places do charge for these services, so don’t be surprised to hear you’ll pay for someone to slice up your dessert.

•What other charges can you expect? Sales tax? Linen rental? Centerpieces?

•If the site doesn’t serve food, can the staff refer you to a caterer? We’ll get to this in a moment.

These questions will give you a good idea as to whether this place is right for your wedding. You’ll learn a lot about the accommodations, the service, and the price. If you like what you hear, ask the manager to send you some literature so that you can read everything in black and white.
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How much or how little are you willing to plan? Some planners will only take on full events; others will do à la carte services (such as planning only the ceremony or reception).

•How do you charge? By the hour? Flat fee? Percentage?

•Can you provide me with referrals from past clients? If she’s eager to get you in touch with her past clients, and the clients give glowing reports, chances are you’ve found a keeper.

How many weddings do you book per year? One full wedding per weekend is plenty; any more than that, and some bride is going to get the short end of the stick.

•Do you have an assistant? If she says yes, ask who will attend your wedding — the planner or her partner?

Excerpt from: “The Everything Destination Wedding Book: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Away from Home” by Shelly Hagen. Scribd.
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