To find the perfect wedding planner for you, you need to ask the right questions. So what ARE the right questions? They are the ones that give you the greatest and deepest insight into the kind of person this potential helper is. Remember you'll be working closely together for several months and you are paying for expertise in the areas you are a little unfamiliar in. So be sure you ask the right questions to get just the right person for your wedding.

Here are some examples:

• What experience do you have? How long have you been a wedding planner? How many weddings have you done? Can you give me a list of referrals? CALL THEM! Talk to other brides (very important!) and see what their experience was with her. Just because she thinks she did a great job doesn't mean the previous brides do.

• How many other weddings will you be planning for that same weekend? This is very important. You want to make certain that she'll be available to you and not have her attention diverted on 3 other brides!

• Will you be doing the "day-of" coordination? Will you have staff? Are here extra charges for extra staff?

• How much do you charge? A flat fee? An hourly fee? What is your payment schedule ... is it all due up front, 50/50 or what?

• Do you work regularly with vendors who offer discounts? This tells you how well-connected she is.

• What if you have an emergency and can't make it to my wedding? Do you have an assistant? What is your back-up plan?

• Tell me about something that went wrong at a wedding you planned and how you handled it. How do you handle stress?

• Bring photos of weddings that you like - flowers, decorations, centerpieces, etc. Show them to the wedding planner and get her input. What new ideas does she have? Is she eager or excited to work with your style?

• And one last optional question: What is your own personal wedding style? A professional wedding planner should be able to adapt to your style without their own opinion sneaking in.

A wedding planner can be a lifesaver if you find the right one - especially the day of! Even if you are simply hiring a "day of" coordinator, these questions still apply to them. They can keep track of timing, organization and make sure that everything and everyone is where they are supposed to be at any given time. Believe me; this takes a great deal of stress off of you.