for the love of wedding planners
One of the questions I am most often asked is if you should hire a wedding planner. I understand the hesitation from both a cost and control perspective, however, I truly believe this is one the very best things you can do for yourself and your family during your wedding planning process. Even if you are the most organized, detail oriented person - hiring someone as a ‘day of’ coordinator is a decision you will absolutely not regret.
photo by @mann_and_wife
Most day-of coordinators that I would tell you to consider should be looking to connect with you about 3-4 months out from your wedding. This might include an in-person meeting or two to go over the details of your event, how you want things like the room and tables to be set, letting them know who your vendors are, and possibly helping you create or at least tweak your wedding day timeline. Additionally, your coordinator will likely plan to arrive the morning of your event and help set-up the space and then depending on your agreement may stay through to the end to help with clean-up or may leave at another agreed upon time. Be sure to be really clear with your needs and expectations ahead of time so that you are getting exactly what you want from this experience, even if it means paying a little extra. Remember, anything that you don’t have someone hired and/or assigned to handle will have to be taken care of by someone else. I have seen some services that strictly help with set-up and tear-down of your event and that is all they focus on. This would mean they arrive early to set things like tables, placecards, signage, etc. and then leave during your actual wedding and return at the event conclusion to help break down. Depending on the restrictions of your venue you may find a survice like this helpful, partiuculary for spaces that require you to follow a same day in and same day out process.
Ultimately, you know your family and friends best and will know better than anyone how much help you need. Just be mindful that this is not just a special day for you and your partner but also for the people who love and support you. Giving them a day to just celebrate and be present is a gift they will cherish forever.
photo by @mann_and_wife
To help clarify how these roles differ I will offer a few thoughts: a wedding planner is usually going to get involved at least one year out from your wedding and is going to have a larger say in things like an event mood board, overall event design, floor plans, hiring vendors, venue selection, wedding day timeline, etc. Their pricing usually includes the cost to cover some additional team members to be present at your event and to help execute. Generally they should be planning on being present throughout your event and to help pack you up and send you off once the wedding concludes. Often they will also attend your rehearsal and help to ensure everyone knows the general plan for the day.
I know that it seems like asking family and friends to help is an easy and affordable way to get a lot accomplished in a short amount of time, but it will truly be a gift to you and your people if after your celebration they are free to go home or on to whatever might be next for them that evening.
photo by @liliasciarrettiphotoandfilm
I always recommend that you talk with people who offer different levels of services in order to find the best fit for you and your day. I cannot tell you how many times at the end of the night someone from the couples family or the couple themselves come up and tell me their planner or coordinator was worth every single penny they paid. I promise you that this is one of the best investments you can make in order to make sure you have the best wedding day!