The Scenario
You just got engaged & you can’t wait to start planning your dream wedding. You tend to get stressed easily & want to ensure that you’re able to be fully present on your wedding day rather than worrying about every little detail. So you decide to hire a wedding coordinator. Sounds easy enough, right??
Being in the wedding industry for the past 6 years has taught me many things. One of them being that not all coordinators are created equal. There is a HUGE disparity in what wedding coordinators do & what they consider their role to be. I’ve worked with many coordinators … some who are an absolute godsend, others who I honestly couldn’t tell what they were “coordinating” & others who just went MIA. As I started planning my own wedding, hiring a wedding coordinator was my first hire. I would love to share my experiences with you in hopes that your wedding day will run as smoothly as humanly possible.
The Tips
Ask for referrals from your friends & wedding vendors
I always tell my clients that once they hire me to be a part of their vendor team, I am not only their photographer, but I’m also a resource for them. Take advantage of that. I’m always more than happy happy to provide my clients with referrals & recommendations. What many people don’t realize is that every vendor you hire has an impact on every other aspect of your wedding. If your coordinator isn’t doing their job effectively thus causing your wedding to run late, your photos will suffer as everything will be incredibly rushed & those magical sunset photos you were dreaming of won’t be possible as the sun has already set. If your rentals or florals arrive late, your photographer will have a very hard time photographing all of the details & vignettes before guest arrival. I could go on & on but I think you get the point. Therefore, assembling a team of vendors who have built a rapport, communicate well with one another, know what expectations need to be met, & trust each other, is crucial. You won’t have to worry about a thing because you’ll feel confident knowing that your team is working cohesively to make your wedding day the best it can possibly be.
Observe coordinators at your friends weddings
Pay attention to whether or not things are running smoothly. Are the Bride & Groom relaxed or stressed? Who’s facilitating the flow of the event? Are things organized & is everyone comfortable? Are things running behind schedule? Can you tell why? If you as a guest are noticing some flaws, you can be sure the bride is stressing out about these issues. And if there’s one thing I hear at every single wedding, it’s that “the day flew by”. This is a once in a lifetime celebration. The last thing you want is to be stressed & overwhelmed. **Remember, you get what you pay for, so if budget is a concern, cut on other areas, not on the one that will help you enjoy your day the most.** (Maybe go with a more minimal invitation or tablescape. Cut the guest favors since most of those get left anyway.)
Ask questions
A seasoned coordinator will have their job down to a science. Ask if they have a team, or if they work solo. Find out what they think is the most important part of their job. Ask how involved they’ll be in the planning process. I can’t even tell you how many “coordinators” I’ve worked with who end up basically being a set up team rather than a coordinator. While this may sound insanely obvious, a coordinator should be coordinating the event. This includes facilitating deliveries & load in, overseeing set up, managing the vendors & timeline, making sure the vendors have everything they need, tending to the bride & groom, troubleshooting,etc. If the coordinator you’re interviewing can’t easily answer these questions, move on.
This post could go on forever since I believe hiring an amazing coordinator is absolutely crucial to having a stress-free wedding. Just remember that a skilled wedding coordinator is 1000% worth the investment, so do your homework! Happy wedding planning …
