Your First Step to Finding “The One” — How to Choose the Right Hawaii Wedding Planner
Welcome to Finding “The One” — Your Guide to Choosing the Hawaii Wedding Planner That’s Best for You, a four-part series designed to help couples choose the perfect planner for their island wedding.
Before you talk contracts or budgets, your very first step is the meet and greet. This is where you’ll find out whether your potential planner truly gets you — your style, your story, and your priorities.
The First Call: Focus on Connection, Not Checklists
Your first call with a potential destination wedding planner shouldn’t be an interview with rapid-fire questions off a checklist — it should be a conversation.
Think of it as a first date with someone who might help design one of the most meaningful experiences of your life. This call isn’t about logistics; it’s about chemistry.
You’ll spend months talking, planning, and problem-solving together. You want someone who makes you feel understood, calm, and excited — not overwhelmed.
If You Speak With the Office First
If your first contact is with the planner’s office or coordinator, take the opportunity to share your vision and priorities. Ask:
“Based on our wedding goals and personality, who on your team do you think would be the best fit for us?”
Then ask about:
Which islands do they work on most often
Favorite venues and vendor partners
Their process for destination clients
This helps ensure you’re matched with a planner who fits your aesthetic and communication style.
Questions to Guide Your First Call
What drew you to planning weddings in Hawaii?
How do you get to know your couples and their style?
How do you tailor your process for destination clients?
At the end of the conversation, ask for a sample contract, not a proposal. You’ll learn more from the contract than a rushed estimate ever could.
Pro Tip: Quality Over Quantity
Ask how many weddings they take on each year. The best planners focus on fewer weddings to give each couple personalized attention — not a conveyor-belt experience.
Your first call should leave you feeling excited and supported, not uncertain. When you find that connection, you’re one step closer to “the one.”