Should I Hire A Wedding Coordinator

How To Plan A Wedding: Part 2

Do I Really Need To Hire A Wedding Coordinator???

Should I Hire A Wedding Coordinator

Wedding Coordinator... Should you hire one or not? 

If it’s obvious that you are terrible at planning parties, you should at least considered hiring a wedding coordinator for your special day.

Some venues provide a wedding coordinator to help you plan and give you ideas that are best for that specific venue.

From a photographer's perspective, here are some reason why I think it’s a good idea to hire a  professional coordinator.

1. Stress!  It will make your life a lot easier if you have someone taking care of the details!
2. The Timeline -  Making sure each segment of your day starts on time.
3. Putting Out Fires - A wedding planner or coordinator will have your back! They'll catch the little things before they turn into big things. Watching everything going on around you and making sure things are running as smooth as possible.
4. A wedding needs to be “managed”! Simply because weddings and events do not just happen alone. Someone needs to be in charge... period!

Okay, listen... On the day of your wedding, you are “NOT” going to have time to: 

Get dressed, 

Have your makeup done, 

Get married, 

Take amazing photos, 

Enjoy the celebration 

- AND -

Coordinate, manage and plan all of that... 

plus everything else in between! 

I’ve been in the wedding industry for over 20 years and more often than not, those who attempted it alone, fail miserably.    

Should I Hire A Wedding Coordinator

www.studio-616.com

Are There No Other Options?

Lets just say that after much thinking and budgeting, you just can’t afford a coordinator. Or maybe you're a type "A" personality and know you can do this on your own.  That’s fine, but keep in mind that you WILL need a little help, so don't be afraid to ask.  

Pick 2 or 3 people to help out on the wedding day. Do not ask people to help who are already in the wedding (IE: bridesmaids or parents). Pick a trusted friend or your aunt Betty... Someone you can count on, but someone who isn't already stressing about the big day. 

Weddings take lots of time to plan and need to run on time, so make sure your chosen helpers knows the schedule!

Should I Hire A Wedding Coordinator

www.studio-616.com

• Select 1 helper to round up guests at key moments.

• Tell guests to take their seats 10 minutes before start of ceremony
• Tell guests where to go after the ceremony
• Direct family to photo area
• Direct guests to cocktail hour

• Select Someone to help with food & beverage.
• Coordinate Bar Tender
• Coordinate Caterer

• Select a third person to help you with little things.
• You're thinking that's what my bridesmaids are for, right? Wrong!
• Your bridesmaids are there for you in a different way... friendship & support. Plus it's a lot more fun when you're all together before the ceremony.
• Your extra helper will help with small errands.
• Forgot my lipstick... run to the car for me!
• Bring the boutonnieres to the guys
• Make sure best man has rings
• The list goes on!!

Essentially, you are the CEO and you need 3 good managers to help you.

• Give each of them a small "to do list", and all will be well!

Something else to think about... Even though "your helpers" are doing this for you out of love, you should somehow compensate them.  (A massage, dinner for two, a mani-pedi, just to name a few). And if you don't’ tell them, just surprise them, it's lots of fun too!

It can get pretty stressful trying to get everything done on your wedding day, so try to keep calm and be nice! NOBODY likes a bridezilla!

Most important to remember... No wedding goes off without a hitch, BUT EVERY WEDDING IS PERFECT! Don't let the little things get to you. 

Tons and tons of planning all lead up to one day. You definitely do not want to stress so much that you won't have fun and end up missing the most important day of your life.

Best of luck to you both!!