Why You Should Hire a Wedding Coordinator!
Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 1:00AM Feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning? Help is only a click away! Wedding consultants specialize in handling the details, vendors, timelines, and to-do lists that can make even the most organized bride need a vacation!
Most wedding consultants offer at least two levels of planning service: Full Service and Day-of Coordination. A full service wedding planner will help you design your theme, create your budget, select your venue, hire your vendors, negotiate contracts, organize your rehearsal, arrange all the last-minute details, and make sure your wedding day itself is flawless. A day-of coordinator will typically meet with you 3-4 weeks before your wedding to help finalize the wedding day timeline, then will orchestrate the day itself. When you hire a day-of wedding planner, you are still personally responsible for selecting and orchestrating your vendors, details, and rehearsal.
Tips for finding your consultant:
- Look for a good personality fit. You will be working with your wedding planner during many stressful moments, and you want someone at your side that you like and respect.
- Discuss any expectations you have up front and before signing a contract. For example, if you are hiring a full service wedding planner, how often do you expect to get together in person? How accessible do you expect him or her to be via phone? What are the decisions you are responsible for making on your own? How will they communicate with you during the months leading up to the wedding day to ensure that everything is happening on schedule?
- There is no substitute for experience. Find out the number of weddings the consultant has planned, the number of years in business, and the experience he or she may have had at your venue.
- If you have any unique cultural elements to your wedding, make sure your consultant is familiar with the customs.
- Beopen and honest with your consultant. If you can share your concerns or fears regarding the wedding, they will be best prepared to orchestrate the day perfectly.
- Be realistic. A consultant can make your life much, much easier, but they can’t make all the decisions for you, or make your crazy uncle behave at the wedding, or persuade your single groomsmen to stop hitting on the bridesmaids. When it finally arrives, just relax and enjoy your day!
Are you looking for a fabulous coordinator for your wedding? Check out our Plan Your Wedding page for a list of local Seattle wedding planners!
Reader Comments (2)
This is great advice ... I was on the fence about hiring a planner, but this post tipped me over - I am sold!
Hiring a coordinator is a necessity! They do so much to care for and pamper their brides. You will never have stressful months when you have a planner taking you through the process. Really consider hiring one from the beggining to avoid costly beginner mistakes!
- Wendi
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