What Questions Should You Ask Your Wedding Planner? 30 Precious Answers for You!

Planning a luxury wedding abroad is both an exciting and emotional journey – especially when you’re planning it from another country. To make it all come together, it starts with the right questions to ask a wedding planner.

Whether you’re based in the US, the UK, Australia, or the Middle East, a wedding in Provence means more than a single day: it’s an experience, a celebration of who you are as a couple, and a moment to gather your closest ones in a place that feels unforgettable.

But, behind every effortless celebration lies a planner who knows how to make it all flow. This guide is here to help you ask the right ones.

To inspire your search, I, Anaïs, Wed’Love Wedding Planner, expert in destination weddings in Provence, share my perspective based on years of experience crafting bespoke, intentional, and emotion-driven celebrations.

Every couple is different. And every planner is, too. Find now the one you can feel & trust completely.

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🎯 Experience & Expertise

Your wedding planner isn’t just a service provider, he is your creative partner and trusted guide. His or her training, local experience, sensitivity and style will influence every decision you make, from marrying forever to taking and celebrating your vows.

1. How Long Have You Been Planning Weddings in Provence?

Useful question to ask your wedding planner to know more about his experience and familiarity with the region.

WL: “I’ve been designing and producing weddings in Provence for over a decade. I know the rhythm of the seasons, the best-kept secrets, and how to align local charm with international and luxury standards.“

2. What Inspired You to Specialize in Destination Weddings?

Gives insight into your planner’s motivations and emotional connection to destination weddings.
WL: “I love creating immersive experiences for couples who dream of more than just a beautiful event, they envision a truly emotional journey. Destination weddings are all about that magic.“

3. What Makes a Wedding in Provence Unique Compared to Other Regions?

Helps you understand what sets the region apart and whether your planner knows how to make it shine.
WL: “Provence offers an unparalleled combination between natural beauty, exceptional venues, and refined but relaxed elegance. The light here changes everything. It’s naturally poetic.“

4. Would You Say you Have a Signature Style or Aesthetic?

Reveals if the planner’s creative vision aligns with yours.
WL: “My style blends timeless French sophistication with a contemporary, understated luxury. It’s about effortless beauty and thoughtful, bespoke details.“

📆 Planning & Logistics

The most beautiful weddings feel effortless, but, behind the scenes, impeccable logistics make all the difference. These questions to ask wedding planners will help you understand how they manage timing, team coordination, and the challenges of remote planning.

5. What’s the Very First Step when You Begin Working with a Couple?

Clarifies how the planner structures the beginning of the planning journey.
WL: “We start with a discovery session, to understand your story, your vision and your priorities. We talk a lot and I listen to you, in person or via video. From there, I create a personalized moodboard and planning roadmap, which I present to you and which we validate together. But beyond its practical aspect, this stage is above all emotional. I need to feel confident in our connection, to intuitively understand what motivates you so I can guide you to the right suppliers and a truly aligned wedding experience. My job is as much about planning as it is about feeling and translating your emotions into design.” 

6. How Far in Advance do you Recommend Couples Start Planning their wedding?

Helps set realistic timelines for a well-orchestrated wedding.
WL: “Ideally 12 to 18 months in advance, especially for peak season dates (spring and summer) or iconic venues. That gives us time to curate every detail without stress. But the earlier you plan your wedding, the more flexible your options and possibilities. Some couples contact me, specifically for their destination wedding, as soon as they announce their engagement.“

• What should be on your destination wedding planning checklist?

7. What Are the Key Challenges of a Destination Wedding, and How do You Handle them?

Reveals your planner’s ability to foresee and solve issues that come with long-distance planning.
WL: “Time zones, language barriers, and long-distance coordination can be obstacles, but not with the right structure. I offer clear timelines, bilingual support, and concierge-level communication throughout. What’s more, my team and my many professional contacts in the wedding industry will be invaluable to us.“

8. Do You Have a Local Team, or Do You Work with External Vendors?

Lets you know how the planner ensures control, consistency, and quality.
WL: “Both. I have a trusted team on site for coordination and production, but I also collaborate with a network of hand-picked local artisans and international vendors, always ready to answer my call or recommend another dream partner.”

9. How Do You Simplify the Process for Couples Who don’t Live in France?

Important if you’re planning remotely. It shows their ability to offer a seamless experience from afar.
WL: “I offer a fully digitalized planning experience that’s as personal as it is efficient. From curated visual moodboards and virtual venue tours to personalized planning portals and regular video updates, every step is designed to keep you fully involved from home. Whether you’re in New York, London, or Sydney, you’ll feel guided, informed, and totally in control.“

10. Will You Be the Person Present on the Wedding Day, or Someone from Your Team?

Clarifies who’s actually on-site the day of the event.
WL: “I will personally be there with my team. I believe in continuity, trust and connection, and I stay fully involved from the first meeting to the last dance. In the rare event that I cannot be present, you will meet in advance the dedicated planner who will be in charge on the day. But even in that case, I remain your main point of contact throughout the entire preparation. Your trust and peace of mind are my priority.”

11. A Very Important Question to Ask your Wedding Planner : How Do You Handle Last-Minute Changes or Emergencies?

Assesses the planner’s ability to stay calm, flexible, and solutions-oriented, especially crucial when planning from abroad.
WL: “With discretion and efficiency. I always have contingency plans in place and a trusted network ready to adapt. Destination weddings come with many moving parts, flights delayed, weather changes, or vendor setbacks, but my role is to absorb that stress so you don’t have to. Over the years, I’ve restructured entire timelines overnight, arranged backup musicians, and even sourced last-minute décor on a Sunday in Provence. My team is trained to stay calm and move quickly, so that you and your guests see only the magic, never the mechanics.“

💲Budget & Vendors

Understanding how your planner approaches budgeting and vendor relationships is key to making informed decisions. A great planner will be transparent, strategic, and aligned with your vision and values.

12. What’s the Minimum Budget you Recommend for a Luxury Wedding in Provence?

Establishes expectations for the scale and quality of the event.
WL: “For a refined experience with 80-120 guests, I recommend a starting budget of 100,000 euros, no less. Most of my weddings are between 150,000 and 250,000 euros and more, depending on the venue and the vision.“

13. Which Elements Typically Represent the Largest Part of the Budget?

Helps you anticipate how funds will be allocated.
WL: “The venue (château, villa, vineyard, etc.), catering and decor (floral decoration, rentals, lighting) are generally the most important investments. Entertainment, such as a live band and guest accommodation, should also be factored into the budget for a high-end wedding.“

14. What Is Your Pricing Structure and What is Included in Your Fee?

Brings clarity to your financial agreement and helps avoid any surprises down the line.
WL: “I only work with a flat fee fee model, tailored to the scale and specific needs of your celebration. My full-service planning includes everything from vendor sourcing and creative direction to timeline management and day-of coordination, with ongoing support throughout the entire journey. For couples who prefer a lighter-touch approach, I also offer a premium coordination package focused on the final weeks leading up to the wedding. In both cases, you receive a transparent, detailed quote from the beginning, with no hidden costs. My commitment: absolute clarity, undivided attention, and the level of service your celebration truly deserves.”

15. Do You Charge a Flat Fee, a Percentage, or a Combination?

Important for aligning expectations on billing.
WL: “I work exclusively on a flat-fee basis. This model ensures a straightforward and stress-free planning process, especially for couples living abroad. It allows you to understand from the outset what’s included and what to expect: no percentage, no variables, just clarity. The focus stays where it should be, on creating a remarkable, custom experience tailored entirely to you.” 

16. Do You Have Preferred Vendors, or Do You Adjust Your Recommendations to Each Couple?

Reveals how personalized the planner’s approach is.
WL: “I work with a trusted circle of high-caliber professionals, but every selection is based on your aesthetic, values, and cultural expectations. It’s never one-size-fits-all. I’m also flexible if you already have your heart set on a photographer, makeup artist, or hair stylist – meeting new creatives is always a pleasure. However, for more technical aspects of production and logistics, I prefer to rely on trusted collaborators I’ve worked with for years. This ensures consistency, quality, and peace of mind for a flawless execution.”

17. How Do You Select Venues, and Do You Have any Favorites You Suggest?

Helps you understand how the planner curates options and whether they have privileged access or insider insight.
WL: “I focus on authenticity, privacy, and elegance. I select venues not only for their aesthetic and logistical potential, but also for the feeling they evoke. Some of them are available exclusively through Wed’Love, or are personal favorites because of the flawless experience they offer our couples and their guests. From historic estates to intimate bastides and vineyards with sweeping views, each place has been handpicked for its charm and excellence. You can discover some of these exceptional venues in our weddings portfolio.“

• The Most Exclusive Wedding Locations in the south of France: our Guide for Lovers

18. Have You Worked at our Chosen Venue Before?

Ensures familiarity or a willingness to get to know the space.
WL: “Most likely, yes. But even if it’s new to me, I always conduct a site inspection and connect with the venue team early on to ensure everything runs smoothly. In my career, I’ve successfully produced events in venues I discovered less than 48 hours before the big day. The key word is adaptability – and that’s what allows me to deliver excellence, no matter the setting.”

19. Do You Offer Full-Service Packages, or is Everything Bespoke?

Clarifies the level of flexibility and personalization in the offer.
WL: “At Wed’Love, we don’t believe in generic packages. Each wedding is a one-of-a-kind celebration that deserves a tailored, strategic approach. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate gathering or a grand celebration across several days, everything is curated around your vision, values, and lifestyle. We create signature experiences that feel effortless yet extraordinary, down to the smallest detail. From the first exchange to the final toast, you’ll feel that your wedding was not only impeccably organized, but unmistakably yours.“

20. Another relevant question to ask a wedding planner : Can You Provide References or Testimonials from Past Clients?

Adds reassurance and credibility by giving you insight into the real experience couples have had.
WL: “Of course. I’m proud of the trust my clients place in me, and their words speak volumes. Many of their testimonials are shared directly on our Luxury Wedding Planner in Provence homepage, and reflect the attention, emotion, and dedication I bring to every celebration. From heartfelt thank-you notes to messages months after the big day, their feedback is the most beautiful reminder of why I do what I do.“

✨ Guest Experience

A destination wedding should also be a journey for your guests. From the moment they arrive until brunch the next day, your wedding planner must ensure that every moment is pleasant, welcoming, refined, light and, above all, beautifully organized.

21. How Do You Ensure a Seamless and Enjoyable Experience for International Guests?

Shows the planner’s capacity to think beyond the couple to the entire guest journey.
WL: “We provide a guest concierge service: everything from welcome bags and detailed travel guides to on-site hosts who speak multiple languages. We take care of every detail so your guests feel pampered from arrival to departure.“

22. Do You Assist with Logistics Like Guest Accommodation and Transportation?

Confirms whether the planner offers support for practical travel-related needs.
WL: “Absolutely. I coordinate accommodation in several hotels or villas, manage transport logistics and organize additional experiences such as wine tastings or tours, before or after the wedding. The fact that I also work in the events industry, on the Côte d’Azur, helps me a lot here.“

23. Can You Manage our RSVP Tracking or Guest List Coordination?

Shows whether your planner can streamline admin tasks too.
WL: “We absolutely manage theRSVp throughout our guest manager tool but also by creating a personalized wedding website. Everything is handled digitally.” 

❤️ Personalization & Added Value

Beyond beauty and logistics, what makes a wedding an unforgettable experience is that it deeply reflects who you are as individuals and as a couple. These final questions will help you explore the emotional and human side of wedding planning.

24. Can You Help Design a Multi-Day Celebration (welcome dinner, brunch, excursions)?

Confirms whether the planner has experience with full wedding weekends.
WL: “Yes, and it’s one of my specialties. Destination weddings are naturally spread over several days, especially when our couples are traveling from across the Atlantic or beyond. It’s not just about the wedding day, but about creating a meaningful and joyful journey for everyone involved. From intimate welcome dinners in olive groves to wine tastings in hidden vineyards and farewell brunches by the pool, I craft each moment as part of a cohesive experience. These multi-day celebrations allow guests to slow down, connect, and immerse themselves in the beauty of Provence. And for you, they become unforgettable memories woven into your love story.“

25. How Do You Ensure the Wedding Reflects Who We Are as a Couple?

Shows how your planner personalizes each event to feel meaningful, authentic, and fully yours.
WL: “I dive deep into your story, your values, and what makes you both light up. For many of our couples (often Gen Z or millennials living abroad) it’s essential that their wedding feels like an extension of who they are: inclusive, intentional, beautiful without being over-produced. So I take the time to understand your dynamic, your aesthetic preferences, your cultural background, and the little details that matter to you. Whether we incorporate handwritten vows in the ceremony, an eco-responsible floral installation, or a playlist that reflects your heritage, every element is crafted to feel emotionally true and visually cohesive. This isn’t a formula, it’s a bespoke experience shaped around your personalities, and designed to resonate long after the day itself.“

26. Do You Offer Design Services In-House or Do You Collaborate With an External Stylist or Designer?

Clarifies the creative structure and partnerships involved.
WL: “Yes, I do offer in-house design services. As a certified wedding designer, I personally oversee the creative direction of each celebration to ensure visual harmony and emotional coherence. I often collaborate with talented floral designers, lighting artists, and calligraphers to bring that vision to life in the most meaningful way. When a production becomes more complex, I almost take on the role of an event architect thinking in terms of space, flow, guest experience, and visual storytelling. The goal is always the same: to tell your story with elegance and intention, through a decor that feels both immersive and uniquely yours.”

27. Do You Assist with Obtaining Permits or Special Licenses if Needed?

Ensures logistical and legal readiness.
WL: “Yes, I handle all necessary permits and liaise with venues or municipalities to ensure everything is in order legally and logistically. It’s all part of my job as a wedding planner.“

28. Do You Help with Post-Wedding Support such as Vendor Payments or Returns?

Indicates if your planner helps tie up loose ends.
WL: “Yes. Especially if you dream of getting married in Provence, but don’t live in France, I manage final payments, oversee cleanup logistics, and can even arrange post-wedding thank you notes or gift returns if needed. My sole aim is to ensure that you have the best possible experience, every step of the way.“

29. Do You Manage On-The-Day Coordination, or Do You Have a Separate Team?

Reveals the planner’s presence and involvement when it matters most.
WL: “I’m there from start to finish, always with my trusted team by my side. I don’t disappear once the planning is done, your peace of mind on the day is my top priority. We are fully present to manage every detail, anticipate every moment, and ensure the energy flows exactly as you imagined it. That presence is what allows you to be truly present too.“

30. What Sets Your Services Apart from Other Wedding Planners?

Helps you understand what makes their approach truly unique – beyond the basics.
WL: “What sets Wed’Love apart is our ability to blend logistical excellence with emotional intelligence and a deep sense of place. We don’t just plan weddings, we craft meaningful experiences, rooted in who you are and infused with the atmosphere of Provence. I intentionally work with a limited number of couples each year to provide true bespoke attention. That means no recycled templates, no diluted focus ; just one celebration at a time, planned and designed with authenticity, aesthetic harmony, and absolute care.“

Final Thoughts

These questions to ask every wedding planner aren’t just a checklist, they’re an invitation to pause, reflect, and make sure the person who will shape your celebration is truly connected to who you are. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels intentional, immersive, and emotionally true, finding the right planner is where it all begins.

Throughout my years designing destination weddings, I’ve heard couples say things like: “I felt more in control planning from New York with you than I would have felt in person.” Or “From our very first call, it just felt right. You were the one.” That kind of connection is at the heart of everything I do.

At Wed’Love, we don’t just coordinate timelines and vendors, we design experiences based on beauty, connection, and trust. From the first video call to the last sunset toast in Provence, we’re by your side.

📥 Want to take these questions with you? Download your free checklist and keep it handy throughout your planning journey.