Hiring your wedding planner is a pretty big deal. Like every other vendor you hire, it is so important that you feel a sense of security and trust with your planner. They will become your biggest ally, as well as the person managing all of the chaos that happens behind the scenes on a wedding day.

Here are some of my favorite questions that potential clients ask me during our initial consultation:

1. “So, what do you do?”

This is one of my most frequently asked questions, and one that a lot of people don’t know to ask. This question is so, so important! It gives us the opportunity to truly walk a potential client through all of the ways we can help them. More often than not, clients aren’t aware of just how much work a planner actually does behind the scenes.This question gives us the chance to connect with each client on a personal level and address their needs–and the needs they may not even know they have.

2. “Why should I hire a wedding planner?”

This is a question that’s filled many a blog post. The planner you’re meeting should be able to give you legitimate reasons why, and how, a planner can be a vital part of your wedding team. Try not to think of this as a sales pitch– listen for answers that relate to you and your wedding. Need an example? Let’s say you mention a worry about Great Aunt Alice and her love of too much wine. A planner may respond with something like “I will keep a close eye on her and make sure she’s not over served. At the end of the evening, I’m happy to call her a cab, so there’s no concern about drinking and driving.” Isn’t that a better option than asking your new mother in law to keep tabs on her all night?

3. “Did you ever have a wedding day emergency, and how did you handle it?”

Oh my gosh, I cannot stress enough–no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding something always ALWAYS goes wrong. I haven’t worked at a single wedding where everything went according to plan or schedule. Any reputable wedding planner should be open to talking about their experiences and what they did to remedy the situation. This is an opportunity for you, the client, to learn how the planner works under pressure, as well as what you can expect from them on your big day.

4. “Are you willing to work with____________?”

The blank space really represents a number of things. Blending families and religions, hiring family members as vendors, wanting an “offbeat” wedding, or being a same sex couple are just a few things that come to mind. Based on personal beliefs, some planners may not be willing or able to accomodate your weddings needs. However, most planners are very open minded and more than happy to help you navigate the waters. It also allows us, as professionals, to help put you at ease. If we are aware of what is worrying you, we can do our best to mediate and remedy the situation. This question opens the door to communication and a more stress-free planning process.

5. “What’s your favorite part of the job?”

I’ve been asked this a few times, so I thought I’d put it on the list. I genuinely enjoy answering this question because I love my job, and I love sharing the reasons why I do what I do. If you’re going to ask your potential planner this question, it can really give you a glimpse into their personality and their passion–both of which will be an important presence on your wedding day.