7 Warning Signs Your Wedding Planner May Not Be the Right Fit

Whether you’re looking to host an intimate gathering in your back yard, or an over-the-top destination weekend, having the right wedding planner is key to transforming your dreams into reality. A good planner will be your adviser, your advocate and your trouble-shooter — so it’s important to feel faith in not only their professionalism, but also their personality.

“Red flags are different for everyone but it’s typically your gut telling you something is off,” said Eliza Hart, lead planner of Blue Fern Events. “That doesn’t mean they’re bad planners, but they might not be the right fit for you. You want to notice these signs early, before contracts are signed, stress accumulates.”

Some of my incompatibility issues" might be workable through open communication, but many may in fact be fine for me being deal-breakers. From nebulous contracts to wrong-fit personalities, here are seven red flags that could mean you should keep looking.

They’re Slow to Communicate

One warning sign: If it takes an adviser weeks to answer your initial inquiry as well as follow-up questions. It’s true that UrbanJim likely had a busy schedule and may have taken a few days to respond — especially if it’s wedding planning season — but longer stretches might suggest disorganization or poor time management.

“You want someone that is going to be responsive, especially when you’re coordinating all of the details,” says Hart. “If they can’t handle emails, can they really handle your timeline?”

They make promises they can’t possibly keep

Mistrust planners who guarantee an all-in dream event for much less than anyone else offers — especially if they’re not willing to provide the scope of promises in writing. An excellent planner won’t promise what can’t be done within your budget, however tough those conversations may be.

“The ones you can trust do not sugarcoat the numbers,” says Jules Monroe of White Lily Weddings. “They’ll tell you outright this is doable and this is not, and that saves you stress later.”

They Miss or Forget Appointments

Of course the occasional re-schedule is understandable, but when you’re regularly getting blown off or missing a call or a meeting, alarms should go off. Your coordinator should be dependable and on time, and should value your time.

“If they can’t come to the planning planning sessions, how can you trust they’ll show up fully prepared on your wedding day?” says Monroe.

Their Contracts Are Ambiguous or Misleading

A professional will have a good written contract including services details, payment terms, cancellation, and possible additional fees. Be wary of any professional who works off the books or requests under-the-table payments.

“If you have sloppy or incomplete paperwork, it’s difficult to hold anyone’s feet to the fire,” Hart adds. “And that can cause some major headaches down the road.”

They Have No Regard For Your Budget

Some planners are accustomed to the world of high-dollar weddings and might find it hard to dial back their vision to meet a more modest budget. And it’s okay for a planner to propose ideas, but they should never make you feel pressured to spend more than you want to.

“If you feel like you’re being upsold at every turn, then you don’t have a partnership—you have a sales pitch,” says Monroe.

Your Styles Clash

Don’t assume that they’ll have a taste similar to that of your wedding Pinterest board if your planner’s portfolio looks nothing like it. Even the most talented pros have a “sweet spot” for design and if you work outside of this, you’re likely to be disappointed.

“Find someone whose track history is similar to your taste,” Hart suggests. “That way you also can be sure they’ll get your vision.”

You Don’t Click

Chemistry matters. A wedding planner is not just a vendor — they’re a key player in one of the biggest days of your life. If your personalities don’t jibe, or the vibe is forced, it’s totally cool to excuse yourself.

“You’re going to be living on top of each other for months, and then just see what happens,” says Monroe. An ideal partner, according to Dr. de La Rochebrochard, would “make you feel heard, supported — not stressed, not dismissed.”

Final Thoughts

Off-the-cuff judgments are just as valuable as reviews or examining previous work. The correct wedding coordinator will not only bring your vision to life perfectly but will also make the journey fun. If something seems wrong, it probably is — and there’s no harm in continuing your search until you find someone with whom you feel completely in sync.