Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Wedding Planner Red Flags: Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs

Look, I love a good planner. The right one is worth their weight in caffeine and emergency safety pins. They’re your wedding day ride-or-die, keeping things smooth so you don’t have to stress about whether the napkins are folded just right or if Aunt Karen is wandering off mid-ceremony.

But not all planners are created equal.

I’ve worked with some absolute gems—and I’ve worked with a few that made me want to fake a camera malfunction and go home early. So let’s talk about a few red flags you should be watching for when hiring a planner.

1. Crickets in the Inbox

If you're sending emails and getting silence... that’s not a vibe.

A planner who takes weeks to respond, ghosts you mid-convo, or ignores your questions entirely? That’s a sign. Planning a wedding already feels like herding glitter-covered cats—do you really want someone on your team who can’t even reply to an email?

Good communication is everything. If they’re slow or flaky before you book them, imagine what it’s going to be like a month out from your wedding when you’re trying to confirm ceremony start time or wondering when the rentals are showing up.

2. The “Yes” Machine

I know we all grew up hearing “the customer is always right”—but when it comes to weddings, sometimes the customer needs a reality check. A good planner isn’t just a yes-person. They’re a professional with real experience and real opinions.

If a planner is nodding along to every idea, no matter how wild or unworkable, that’s not helpful—it’s dangerous. I’ve seen couples get their hearts set on timelines or setups that were completely unrealistic, all because someone didn’t have the guts to say, “Hey, this might not work out how you think.”

A planner should gently (but firmly) guide you toward things that will actually work, not just tell you what you want to hear.

3. Not Playing Nice with the Vendor Team

Weddings run smooth when the whole team’s in sync. Photographers, DJs, florists, HMUAs, caterers—we all have roles to play, and a great planner is like the glue that keeps us all moving together. Make sure your planner asks who all of your key members of your wedding team are.

But I’ve worked with planners who straight up refused to treat the rest of the vendor crew like teammates.
I once sent over my photography timeline—just the stuff I need to cover, not the whole day—and the planner acted like I was trying to hijack the wedding. It’s not about stealing anyone’s thunder. It’s about making sure we’re not scrambling around wondering who’s supposed to be where and when.

And don’t even get me started on planners who change the timeline in the moment without telling anyone—including the couple. That’s a one-way ticket to chaos. I’ve seen brides totally thrown off and stressed out because someone decided to “wing it” on the fly.

Nope. Hard pass.

4. Trust Your Gut

If a planner gives you weird vibes, doesn’t click with your crew, or seems more focused on posting the perfect Instagram story than making your wedding day feel good… trust your gut. You deserve a team who shows up, communicates clearly, and works together like pros.

Your wedding isn’t just a show—it’s a real, emotional, once-in-a-lifetime day. And the planner you hire? They need to care about that as much as you do.

Need a few solid planner recs? I’ve worked with some absolute pros who know their stuff, care about your experience, and don’t flinch under pressure. Hit me up—I’ll happily spill the tea (the good kind).