7 Signs You Should Find a New Wedding Planner

Updated 07/05/15

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Breakups are never easy, especially when it's with your wedding planner. You've put a ton of time and effort into the business relationship and had high hopes that everything would work out for the best until you hit a major bump in the road you're not sure you can or should get over it. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, if your wedding planner does anything on the below list it's probably wise to move on.

1. She gives you bad vendor recommendations

For example, if you ask for a fine art photographer and your planner sends you a link to a portrait studio, chances are it's not going to be a great fit. "Ensuring that your wedding planner not only hears your ideas, but recommends creative partners that align with your taste, style and budget, are essential," notes certified green event designer Veronica Cole.

2. She pulls a bait and switch

Promising you the sun, moon and stars all for one incredibly low price, then nickel and diming you the minute you sign on the dotted line is so not cool. This is why it's so important to make sure everything you need is spelled out clearly in a proposal, says Cole. "That way, if your planner starts to bill you for services you already thought were paid for, you can refer back to your original agreement and part ways if she isn't willing to uphold her end of the contract."

3. She takes forever to respond

According to Stefanie Cove, managing partner at Yifat Oren & Associates, one big red flag to watch out for is a slow response time from your event planner. "You should receive a reply to emails and phone calls within 12 hours, as experienced planners are well aware that brides aren't exactly known for their patience when it comes to planning their big day." A bride should never feel ignored or that it's too hard to reach her planner.

4. She bites off more than she can chew

Unless she's superwoman, committing to more than one wedding per weekend is something most planners avoid doing at all costs, points out Cole. "There's only 52 weeks in a year so if your planner says she handles 30-40 events I'd proceed with caution." Doubling or tripling up on events when wedding season is in full swing means certain details are bound to fall through the cracks.

5. Your personalities clash

Sometimes it's simply not meant to be. If your personalities don't work well together and you find your planner is contributing to your stress, as opposed to alleviating it, it's probably time to part ways, advises destination wedding planner Michelle Fage of Paradise Planning. "A good planner should support your ideas and creativity, not shut you down just because your vision doesn't fall in line with theirs, especially if you want to do something that reflects your personality," add Natasha Burton and Jennifer Arreguin, co-founders of Santa Barbara-based event planning company Swoon California.

6. She restricts your vendors

It's one thing to suggest people your planner likes, but pushing you into hiring her friends so they can get work and she can get a kickback is bad news bears, warn Burton and Arreguin. "It's common knowledge that bridal industry vendors are friendly and may help each other out when booking gigs, however, your planner should help you choose the right team for you and your wedding."

7. She trash talks other brides

A little lighthearted venting isn't necessarily a deal breaker. "Your planner shouldn't complain to you about her other clients to the point that she makes you feel scared to share your true opinions or ask for things you really want though," caution Burton and Arreguin.

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