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Getting started on your wedding planning is a big first step!

“When should we get started?”, “What can a planner do for me?”, “How does it all work?”, “What are the charges?” … These are the most common questions that are asked at almost every consultation at The Wedding Company Hong Kong so we will endeavour to de-mystify the whole wedding planning process.

Our clients usually know what they want (sometimes down to the smaller details, sometimes not!) and need someone to execute their vision. Others don’t even know where to begin! Most are highly accomplished, organised and want to be involved with the whole process with an unbiased third party to help them brainstorm and execute. Trouble is, they may be often traveling or have a highly stressful job in finance, law or medicine and don’t have enough hours in the day. On top of that, they are likely to be renovating a new home. They are looking for someone who understands their taste and efficiently gets things done so they can get the most out of the financial investment they have put into their wedding and enjoy it without stress. Actually, most of our clients fall into this category!

Couples who come to The Wedding Company Hong Kong for an initial consultation typically fall into the following phases of the wedding planning cycle:

The Pre-Planning Stage: They may have just started planning their wedding in Hong Kong or a destination wedding in Asia and have no idea where to start, when to get married, how many guests to invite and which wedding venues to choose from. Some couples approach us up to two years in advance and we usually advise them to draw up a guest list first, book their venue and come back to us a year before their wedding date. Booking a wedding venue in Hong Kong is easier said than done! Good venues in Hong Kong on auspicious wedding days are like gold dust in this town but that’s another topic altogether!

Getting Organized Stage: Some couples may have already set a date/venue (a year ago) but its now 6-9 months before their wedding and they have been putting off the planning due to work commitments or mere procrastination. Now, their parents want updates and their friends want details so they had better get started with the wedding planning one way or another. This is a great time to engage a wedding planner! In an ideal world, once you have locked in your venue and set your budget, couples should plan for a 6-12 months lead time.

Panic Stage: Couples may or may not have gone through the above two stages but suddenly for whatever reasons, plans changed or they never actually committed to any vendors or got anything done. They have been going around in circles and now, suddenly, its 3 months away and they are quietly panicking! We’d be happy to help with the wedding planning but might have to charge a rush fee to get all that planning done depending on how much work there is.

Throw in a mother-in-law or two (who might have a completely different viewpoint), a stressful 15 hour day at work (or cramming for law exams..you fill in the blank) and a well-meaning group of married girlfriends or aunties with a ‘wealth’ of contradicting advice, its no surprise that each and every week we have a steady stream of potential clients who, no matter what their story is, simply needs HELP with planning their wedding in Hong Kong or destination wedding.

A competent wedding planner should be able to clearly identify the couple’s needs and offer them a well-thought out solution. Don’t be swayed by a company’s pretty website (a new planner in town once uploaded all their favourite images from a U.S wedding blog, not of their own work!), its a planner’s knowledge and expertise that matters! At The Wedding Company, we have 20 years experience planning all kinds of weddings and nothing fazes us anymore!

How it Works: At the initial consultation by phone/video call or in-person, we ask potential couples lots of relevant questions to get to know the couple and to determine the type of wedding and budget they have in mind so that we can propose the right fee and a sensible plan of action. We show our portfolios and outline the way we work and what we can and cannot do for a client. We expect clients to ask us questions about the services we offer, our working method and how we add value. At the end of the day, it comes down to the right fit between planner and couple. Both parties need to feel that they are working with someone they can trust and communicate with effectively. Once we’ve established a solid understanding of the couple’s preferences, vision, and budget during our initial consultation, the next steps involve formalising our collaboration. We believe in transparency and clarity, so we provide a detailed proposal that outlines the scope of our services, associated costs, and a comprehensive plan of action tailored to the couple’s unique needs.

Next Steps: Upon receiving approval from the wedding couple, we move forward with a formal agreement, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. We understand that planning a wedding is a dynamic process, so we remain flexible and adapt to the evolving needs of our clients. Our aim is to alleviate stress and streamline the planning journey, allowing couples to focus on the joyous aspects of their upcoming celebration.

Following the agreement, we set up a time to deep-dive into a thorough 60-90 minute brainstorming session. This session is a crucial step in aligning our strategies with the couple’s aspirations. We explore creative ideas, discuss logistical details, and establish a roadmap for the entire planning process. Whether it’s refining the color palette, selecting the perfect floral arrangements, or coordinating with vendors, our goal is to ensure that every element reflects the couple’s unique style and personality.

Throughout the planning journey, communication is key. We maintain open lines of dialogue with our clients, providing regular updates, addressing concerns promptly, and sharing progress. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of trust and confidence between us and the couple, crucial elements for a successful and enjoyable wedding planning experience.

In essence, our commitment is not just to plan a wedding; it’s to curate an unforgettable experience that surpasses expectations. We believe that every couple deserves a wedding that reflects their unique love story, and we take pride in being the facilitators of this magical journey.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a stress-free and joyous wedding planning adventure, The Wedding Company Hong Kong is here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s transform your dreams into a beautifully orchestrated reality.