Most couples ask about price first. The more useful questions reveal how a planner actually works — because that's what you're really buying.
Ask these four: "Who is my day-of point person, and will they be at every function?" — you want a name, not a promise. "What do you design versus rent?" — this separates designers from catalogue decorators. "Walk me through a wedding that went wrong and what you did" — calm, specific answers signal real experience. "How do you charge, and what could push the number up?" — you want the cost shape explained honestly, not a single headline figure.
Then one softer question: "What did you love about your last wedding?" The answer tells you whether they see your day as a project or a craft.
Notice what you're testing — not whether they say yes to everything, but whether they push back thoughtfully. When we're asked what we design in-house, the answer is everything: every mandap and décor concept is drawn from scratch for that couple. A planner worth hiring will be glad you asked hard questions.
