What elements of a wedding are you most willing and able to DIY?

"I most enjoy DIYing the small touches of a wedding and reception that make a big impact, save a lot of money, and don't take too much time. In particular, I love DIYing the floral arrangements for table centerpieces and other decorative elements of the ceremony and reception. I absolutely love decorating with lights and tulle, so that is another component of d?cor that I enjoy doing myself. That said, I always enjoy hearing what the couple has in mind, and I'm open to new projects."

Many couples love to incorporate DIY projects for their weddings to give a unique feel or to save money. Consider whether or not DIY projects are something that you will support and to what extent.

How are your communication skills?

"I have extensive experience with written and oral communication across a wide audience. I listen fully and carefully, and I seek to best understand how my clients prefer to communicate. I believe that strong communication can support higher levels of trust and confidence, so I place a great deal of importance and emphasis on establishing solid lines of communication early on in the planning process."

When planning an event of this scale, communication is key. The interviewers want to ensure that your communication skills are strong beyond sending email updates. You need to demonstrate that you are a strong listener, that you consider the communication preferences of each individual, that you correspond in a timely and appropriate manner, and so on. When responding to this question, be sure to touch on as many aspects of your communication skills as possible and back them up with details.

Are you a detail-oriented person?

"Absolutely. One of the reasons I initially began a career as a Wedding Planner was to enjoy the high level of detail required on a day-to-day basis. I thrive in environments where I am able to manage multiple components of a project at once - it keeps me on my toes and feels good to check so many things off of my list in a short period of time."

Wedding Planners are expected to manage a high level of detail across multiple aspects of the wedding, so it will be key to demonstrate being detail-oriented. When answering this question, be sure to go beyond 'yes' and elaborate with more details or a key example demonstrating your ability to juggle many details at once.

Do you work well under pressure?

"Absolutely. I believe that any pressure I feel in wedding planning encourages a 'good stress' that drives my motivation to work hard, communicate well, and practice great efficiency."

Weddings are high-pressure situations, particularly when you are executing a couple's vision that might not feel entirely natural to you. It is your job to ensure that any hiccups go unnoticed by the couple and the guests, which means you are absorbing any challenges and the pressure that comes with them. Be sure to demonstrate *how* you work well under pressure to add weight and legitimacy to your answer beyond a simple 'yes.'

What made you want to be a wedding planner?

"I have enjoyed planning events from a very early age. I would always ask my parents to let me help coordinate birthday parties for me and my siblings, and I only got more involved with event planning as I grew up. I remember when I first decided I wanted to make the switch to weddings full time. I checked my mail one day and received 3 different wedding invitations all at once. I was amused to think of how different each of these weddings would be and excited to participate in the big day. At that moment, it dawned on me that wedding planning is an industry that is constantly evolving and every wedding is different, so I could use my skills and expertise to help others while keeping things dynamic and new for me each wedding. I absolutely love my job, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!"

This question is purely for the interviewer to get to know a little more about you in a fun way, so definitely lead with honesty. There is no one answer that your interviewer wants or needs to hear, so take a moment to reflect on the start of your career and what influenced where you are today. You might have enjoyed planning your own wedding so much that you wanted to support others as well, or maybe you identified that you are highly skilled in planning such events and wanted to support a high-need industry.

What was the most unique wedding you ever planned?

"The most unique wedding I've ever planned held the ceremony on a Viking-style ship, and the wedding party styled themselves as Vikings. It was a sunset wedding, and the reception was held in an old stone cathedral. It was incredible to participate in and to witness."

Each wedding is a little different based on the couple, and some weddings are particularly unique. Unique might mean that a couple skipped the popular destination wedding sites and chose to get married in a remote, ancient church in Scotland, or it might mean that they eloped while sky diving and held a big reception afterward. When answering this question, you don't need to search for the most jaw-dropping response - consider what unique means to you and simply explain what made that wedding unique.

Do you do destination weddings?

"I absolutely do, though I tend to stick with destinations that I know well. While I am certainly willing to work with a new destination, I always encourage couples to hire a local planner to that area or at least a planner with a great deal of experience in that area. I find that it allows the couple to get the best deals and best vendors when more local expertise is given."

Destination weddings can be anywhere from a few hours away to a completely different country. When answering this question, consider whether or not you are willing and able to coordinate all aspects of a wedding, including local vendors, in a potentially unfamiliar location. Destination weddings require travel, so keep this in mind as well when considering your response.

What is the most unusual request you've received from a couple for their wedding?

"I once had a couple request that their dog serve as the ring-bearer for the wedding ceremony. I had never considered dog tuxedo fittings or appropriate ring transportation devices that would match the d?cor, but I was thrilled to do the research! It ended up being a very touching part of the wedding, so it was well worth the additional preparation required."

Weddings can be full of surprises, and you might come across seemingly unusual requests, like finding and fitting tuxedos for a dog ring-bearer or booking a minister who is fluent in Klingon. Use this question to have some fun with your interviewers. They will enjoy learning about what you constitute as unusual as well as what experience you have with strange requests.

How do you support the balance of traditional components with a multi-religious or non-denominational wedding?

"First, I would love to clarify what 'traditional' means to you. I find that different religions, cultures, and ceremonies have very different examples of traditional components to a wedding. Once we have a shared understanding, I work with the couple to identify core components of a traditional wedding that they would like to keep, modify, and eliminate. Using those identified components as the foundation, we then build the rest of the ceremony and reception from there. When it comes to this balance, I always look to the couple to guide the way and support them with bringing the pieces all together."

If you are asked this question, one of the first things you will want to define is what 'traditional' means to the interviewer. This can have very different meanings in different contexts, so spare yourself from assuming a good answer by clarifying upfront. Often, 'traditional' components of a wedding include some sort of religious or ritualistic element, such as prayers or songs. Once you have a clear understanding of what the interviewer means by 'traditional,' then consider how you will work with the couple to ensure that they are touching on all of the components that they find important to them. They might want certain prayers to be said at certain times, or they might want all of the components of that 'traditional' wedding without any prayers or religious affiliation. When it doubt, lean on the couple for direction on what they find most important to them.

What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a Wedding Planner?

"My greatest strength is my ability to actively listen. I am able to learn a great deal more from and about others when I demonstrate a genuine interest in what they're saying and offer them space to fully formulate and express their thoughts. I take notes, I observe what is and is not being said, and I paraphrase to clarify my understanding. When it comes to wedding planning, this skill is particularly crucial in building a strong client relationship and sense of trust in our ability to communicate and execute a vision together."

When responding to this question, you want to make it easy for your interviewer to picture you as a successful Wedding Planner. When you plan for this question, list out your top 5-7 strengths and bullet examples of how you display this strength. Use your list to draw connections to the Wedding Planning industry and select the most suitable strength. Keep in mind, your strength could lean physical, like organization skills, or emotional, like listening and mediation skills.

What is the best advice you have for newlyweds?

"I often have couples comparing their events to other weddings and comparing their relationship to other couples. The best advice I can give to those couples is to not compare because no two couples are the same. It can be easy for us to lose sight of what we want when comparing to others, so I always try to bring it back to the two most important people in the relationship - the newlyweds themselves!"

Wedding Planners support and guide couples through a thorough and stressful journey, and sometimes they might serve as a sort of therapist or counselor during the planning process. When a couple hires a Wedding Planner, they are actively seeking advice and support, so consider what advice you might provide to the couple. To keep it simple and safe, you might draw a connection between your advice and your profession or the event itself.

How do you support the couple in navigating complex family dynamics?

"Many couples encounter some sort of challenge with a difference of opinion or complication between families - this is very common. I often work with the couple to identify what is important to them as a couple versus what they are inheriting from family expectations. If they are different between the couple and the families, then that is one thing. If they are different between the families, then I work with them to identify a compromise embodying the two. If the family dynamics are more nuanced and complex, then I might seek a third party to support them in navigating their challenges. That way, we can make our meetings and our relationship about the couple and the wedding, not about challenges in the family."

Ideally, planning a wedding is all about the couple, but sometimes there are complex family dynamics that have to be addressed in order to make it a happy and stress-free process for the couple. This question touches on the 'therapist' side of being a Wedding Planner, so you'll need to be clear with yourself and the couple on how much you will be able to support them in this. You might be able to mediate and provide tips and tools for them to manage these relationships, or you might refer them to an external professional.

How do you encourage natural social interaction among guests?

"My first response to this is always to suggest buffet-style eating. Guests naturally mix and mingle while they wait in line to collect their food, so it's a nice way to bring people together. I also encourage brief intermissions throughout the program in order to allow guests to go chat at the bar or congregate elsewhere. Often, wedding timelines are so full that guests rarely have time to really chat and mingle. Finding ways to build in these breaks and congregation areas alleviates that challenge."

Some couples need guidance on how to encourage guests to mingle and interact with one another in an organic way. This can help alleviate the couple from facilitating interaction themselves or overly stressing about certain dynamics throughout the event. You might consider portions of the event when it is easier to integrate social interaction, such as having a buffet of food instead of bringing it straight to the table. Consider preparing a few areas in which you might implement greater interaction.

How many weddings have you planned thus far?

"In my career, I have planned 5 weddings. Prior to formally becoming a Wedding Planner, I voluntarily planned 2 additional weddings for friends. From these 7 weddings, I have gained experience planning for crowds between 50 and 400 people, and I have supported multiple cultural and religious components. I've planned backyard weddings and destination venues of varying levels of 'formal.' I believe that I am experienced and equipped for supporting any style of wedding."

Each wedding is different, so the more experience you have with planning, the better. If you are early on in your career, then bring in as much experience as possible, including weddings where you might've planned for a friend or family member, or weddings where you played a support role in the planning and executing process. When answering this question, elaborate beyond the number - share details like size, style, location, and more to showcase the diversity of expertise in your portfolio.

Do you have contract length restrictions?

"Yes, I find that I am best able to support the couple to the fullest extent when I have a greater sense of the event. So, I rarely accept contracts for day-of support only. I generally like to be working with the couple for a minimum of 2 months prior to the wedding."

Wedding planners might be hired from the very start of the planning process through the very end of the wedding, itself. They might be hired halfway through the process or even closer to the wedding date. When answering this question, consider whether or not you might accept short contracts, much longer contracts, or all contracts.

How do you involve a busy couple with the timeline and to-do list?

"When I find that a couple is particularly busy and unable to maintain a high level of involvement, then I will establish touch-points with them early on in the planning process, and we will revisit them periodically. We will identify what they find most important to be more involved in, and I will execute vision and update in our periodical meetings on all other components of the planning process. I find that establishing such a timeline allows the couple to feel involved, included, and heard without feeling overwhelmed by the process."

Some couples might give much of the task list to the wedding planner to take and run with if they are particularly busy. You will need to consider how to balance keeping them included, informed, and engaged while respecting their time and capacity.

What strategies do you have to save money on generally expensive components of a wedding?

"I find that there are many ways to save money on weddings while still accomplishing the core of what the couple wants. For example, if a couple wants dinner service at their wedding, but the plated options are too pricey, then I might suggest a basic buffet-style dinner. If the couple wants to save money on music, then I might advise that they hire a band for the initial portion of the reception and transition to a pre-selected playlist to save on a DJ. I always encourage them to explore their networks for ways to save money as well, such as friends who are photographers, chefs, venue owners, and so on. When considering all of these angles, couples are able to save a considerable amount of money on the overall event."

Expenses associated with weddings are often exceptionally high, even for a lower budget event. It is important for you to be aware of the ways in which the couple can cut costs in a few areas, like the band, food, venue, and so on. Be sure to do your research on a few options to present for several components of the wedding for the couple to pick and choose from.

What makes a wedding successful?

"I believe that a wedding is successful when the couple appears happy, relaxed, and full of love. The most important part of any wedding, in my opinion, is the couple, so as long as they have truly enjoyed themselves and feel pure happiness, then I consider the event a success. Even if every logistical component to a wedding is flawless, I would still consider it a less successful event if the couple didn't appear to have enjoyed themselves."

This question leans on your opinion, though it can help to inform your response with any information you know about the couple (or hiringcompany). When answering this question, consider connecting your measure of success to the main goals and desires of the couple which were used to frame the wedding from the start.

Are you willing and able to coordinate with additional friends and family members in the planning process?

"I often find that couples like to have one or two additional points of contact to support the planning process, so I am more than happy to coordinate with those key individuals. If a couple requests additional contacts, then we will identify those one or two people and indicate the level of involvement the couple would like them to have. For example, do they attend every meeting, or are they subbed in when the couple is unavailable? Do they have decision-making power, or are they mainly helping to check boxes that have already been determined? These are the kinds of components we will identify in order to make the process as smooth and seamless as possible."

Some couples might want or need to bring in additional family and/or friends to guide or contribute to the planning process. Consider whether or not you might work with and communicate through exclusively the couple or if you are open to coordinating with several individuals involved in the process. If you are flexible, then include any boundaries you find useful to keep the process manageable. As always, be truthful about your response while considering what you know to be the wants and needs of the couple.

Tell me about a time where something went wrong at a wedding and what you did to correct it.

"A couple of years ago, one of the weddings was transitioning to a reception prior to the dinner service. The dinner service wasn't ready on time, so I had to stall guests entering the dining room without the couple knowing or worrying. Thankfully, we had a lively jazz band playing in the reception hall, so I requested that they engage the crowd in an interactive encore and informed the reception hall service team to maintain service for 15 more minutes. Time flies at weddings, so the couple didn't even notice, and the guests loved the band mingling with them as they played their final song. It turned out to be a great addition to the vibe of the evening, and it allowed the dinner crew time to complete their set-up."

It is very common for something to come up at a wedding, and it is the wedding planner's job to identify and address any issues that arise - ideally without the couple even knowing. You will need to demonstrate your ability to stay focused and observant throughout a wedding and address issues swiftly and successfully.

What area of wedding planning do you enjoy most?

"I most enjoy getting to know the couple and learning how they personalize their wedding based on their uniquely beautiful connection to one another. Of all of the weddings I've planned, every couple has been very different and equally loving. It is always such a joy to be welcomed in as a part of their special bond and big day!"

When answering this question, be honest. The interviewers don't need to hear you say 'all of it' to be impressed, so take a moment to really think about what you enjoy most in the process. Is it getting to know each couple, designing and decorating, or the final execution of it all?

What made you choose a career as a Wedding Planner?

"I started my career as a Wedding planner for a couple of reasons. I really enjoyed planning events and coordinating details across multiple channels, and I've always loved helping people. From a logistical standpoint, it always made sense for me to enter the profession given my skillset. What really got me hooked was when I voluntarily planned my grandma's wedding. My grandfather passed away about 15 years prior, and my grandmother met someone in her community that made her happy. When I learned of their engagement, I knew right away that I wanted to help her have an incredible wedding ceremony and reception. I never intended to start a career after that, but I found that I got so much joy out of the whole process that I had to keep going!"

Couples are often interested in what drove their Wedding Planner to the career. You are planning and executing one of the most important days in their lives, so they will certainly want to understand what brought you in and what keeps you in the profession. When responding to this question, be honest while incorporating a happy, positive ending.

Are you available and willing to work holidays and weekends?

"Absolutely. As an industry professional, I am very aware of how working with numerous vendors and individuals can require being readily available. If I anticipate that I will not be available for any part of the wedding planning process, then I will inform the couple and perhaps refer them to a trusted colleague in the field. When I begin a contract with a new couple, we establish their expectations, and I sign a contract guaranteeing the fulfillment of those expectations."

Weddings happen at all times of year on all days of the week. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a wedding planner, then you will need to make yourself available on weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.

How would you accommodate a multi-cultural wedding?

"First and foremost, I would want to work with the couple to understand as fully as possible what cultures and components they want to be represented. I always want to ensure that each culture is appropriately represented in the wedding and to the degree that the couple chooses. I have had couples schedule two separate wedding ceremonies to perform each cultural ceremony independently, other couples have requested the ceremony to lean towards one culture and the reception to lean towards another, and I've had couples integrate both the ceremony and the reception. In these circumstances, I lean heavily on the couple to decide what they are most interested in, then lean on fellow industry professionals that have agreater knowledge of and experience in planning weddings of the represented cultures."

You will almost certainly encounter couples that bring different cultural, regional, religious, or language backgrounds that they would like to be considered and accommodated in the planning process. The couple will want to know that you are equipped to balance the intersectionalities represented at their wedding, so be sure to demonstrate your preparedness to listen and learn.

What challenge excites you the most when it comes to wedding planning?

"I often see couples come to me with different ideas of what they want, and they feel as though they are at an impasse. I most enjoy the process of extracting the core of what each of them most wants and proposing a way to make that happen in unison. This can be quite a challenging process depending on the couple and the nature of what they want, but I love it!"

Wedding planning can be full of challenges, from navigating venues and vendors to emotionally supporting the engaged couple. To sustainably thrive in this position, you have to embrace the challenges that arise. The interviewers are interested in understanding what pulls you in and how you frame your approach to the position. When preparing a response to this question, consider your key strengths and interests and use them to support your answer.

What information do you seek from the couple in your initial meeting?

"I find it crucial to get to know as much about the couple as possible in our initial meeting. My understanding of who they are as individuals and as a union drives much of my work with them, so I ask a series of questions: how did you meet, what was it about your partner that inticed you when you met, what do you most value about each other now, what was your very first date and what was the last date you went on, what dreams have you crossed off your list together and what dreams are still to come? I let their responses guide some of my follow-up questions, but I always try to glean as much information about them from past, present, and future as possible."

When starting the wedding planning process, it helps to understand as much about the couple as possible. The more you can understand and relate, the better you'll be able to interpret their interests and guide them when they feel stuck. When answering this question, consider what questions and topics best help you to understand the couple and inform your strategy. Topics might include: 'how did you two meet,' 'how has your ideal date night changed over the course of your relationship,' 'what do you value most about each other,' and so on.

What drives your vision when planning a wedding?

"The couple. Always the couple. My job is to support their vision with ideas and industry expertise, and all of what I do will always be guided by their vision. Sometimes, I have couples that don't entirely know what their vision is, so I will work with them to understand the core of who they are as a couple and propose a plan to them based on my knowledge of their relationship and the industry. No matter what, I always use the couple as my guide."

Wedding planners are hired for a number of reasons, one of which is to offer vision and ideas. You will be expected to understand and listen to the engaged couple, their interests, and their needs, and use that information to drive your vision. The interviewer is ensuring that you strike a balance and to what degree.

Wedding Planner Interview Questions

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1. What elements of a wedding are you most willing and able to DIY?
2. How are your communication skills?
3. Are you a detail-oriented person?
4. Do you work well under pressure?
5. What made you want to be a wedding planner?
6. What was the most unique wedding you ever planned?
7. Do you do destination weddings?
8. What is the most unusual request you've received from a couple for their wedding?
9. How do you support the balance of traditional components with a multi-religious or non-denominational wedding?
10. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a Wedding Planner?
11. What is the best advice you have for newlyweds?
12. How do you support the couple in navigating complex family dynamics?
13. How do you encourage natural social interaction among guests?
14. How many weddings have you planned thus far?
15. Do you have contract length restrictions?
16. How do you involve a busy couple with the timeline and to-do list?
17. What strategies do you have to save money on generally expensive components of a wedding?
18. What makes a wedding successful?
19. Are you willing and able to coordinate with additional friends and family members in the planning process?
20. Tell me about a time where something went wrong at a wedding and what you did to correct it.
21. What area of wedding planning do you enjoy most?
22. What made you choose a career as a Wedding Planner?
23. Are you available and willing to work holidays and weekends?
24. How would you accommodate a multi-cultural wedding?
25. What challenge excites you the most when it comes to wedding planning?
26. What information do you seek from the couple in your initial meeting?
27. What drives your vision when planning a wedding?

Wedding Planner Interview Questions

1. What elements of a wedding are you most willing and able to DIY?

2. How are your communication skills?

3. Are you a detail-oriented person?

4. Do you work well under pressure?

5. What made you want to be a wedding planner?

6. What was the most unique wedding you ever planned?

7. Do you do destination weddings?

8. What is the most unusual request you've received from a couple for their wedding?

9. How do you support the balance of traditional components with a multi-religious or non-denominational wedding?

10. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a Wedding Planner?

11. What is the best advice you have for newlyweds?

12. How do you support the couple in navigating complex family dynamics?

13. How do you encourage natural social interaction among guests?

14. How many weddings have you planned thus far?

15. Do you have contract length restrictions?

16. How do you involve a busy couple with the timeline and to-do list?

17. What strategies do you have to save money on generally expensive components of a wedding?

18. What makes a wedding successful?

19. Are you willing and able to coordinate with additional friends and family members in the planning process?

20. Tell me about a time where something went wrong at a wedding and what you did to correct it.

21. What area of wedding planning do you enjoy most?

22. What made you choose a career as a Wedding Planner?

23. Are you available and willing to work holidays and weekends?

24. How would you accommodate a multi-cultural wedding?

25. What challenge excites you the most when it comes to wedding planning?

26. What information do you seek from the couple in your initial meeting?

27. What drives your vision when planning a wedding?