What is a Wedding Coordinator?
Florists, Photographers, Caterers, Videographers, Stylists, Coordinators, and Planners, oh my! The wedding industry is made up of so many different categories of services, and it can be a little overwhelming to determine who all you need to hire.
While most vendor services are self-explanatory, there are two fields that Brides often get confused: Wedding Planners and Wedding Coordinators. Today’s post is all about explaining what a Wedding Coordinator is, how they are different from Wedding Planners, and why having one is important.
What is a Wedding Coordinator?
A Wedding Coordinator, also known as a Day-Of Coordinator, is someone who takes your wedding plans and makes them a reality. All the logistics of your wedding day can be passed off to your Wedding Coordinator with full trust that all things will fall into place as they should, while you take in all the special wedding day moments.
When does the Wedding Coordinator step in?
Most times, a Wedding Coordinator’s duties will start 4-6 weeks out from your wedding, once you have had plenty of time pin down all your vendors and you have a good vision of what you want your big day to look like. Once the Wedding Coordinator steps in, most will make your wedding day itinerary, detail all responsibilities of your vendors, and make a schedule of duties they’ll be performing on your big day.
What does a wedding coordinator do that day?
Day-of duties typically include things like greeting vendors for setup, assisting with locating the wedding party and family members for pictures, finalizing décor, delivering vendor payments, cuing ceremony entrances, and just making sure every big moment is perfectly timed and initiated. Ultimately, a Wedding Coordinator is the orchestrator of the perfect production that is your wedding day.
SO, what is the difference between a Wedding Planner and a Wedding Coordinator?Knowing now what a Wedding Coordinator is, the question may remain as to how this person would differ from a Wedding Planner. The main differences between a Wedding Coordinator and a Wedding Planner are working time-frame and level of influence.
Whereas a Wedding Coordinator’s duties wouldn’t start until 4-6 weeks out from your wedding day, a Wedding Planner’s duties would start from the moment of engagement. A Wedding Planner is going to assist with venue selection, recommend vendors and negotiate contracts, create your wedding style, and develop your wedding vision. Whereas a Wedding Coordinator takes your plans and makes them reality, a Wedding Planner develops the plans they will bring to life.
While most times both a Coordinator and a Planner have a similar presence the day-of your wedding, you would have spent far more time with a Planner than with a Coordinator in the days, weeks, and months leading up to that day.
Do I need a Wedding Coordinator?
Your big day is a celebration, and one that you, and everyone you love, should get to enjoy. There are a lot of moving parts that must come together to perfectly implement your big day — from making sure the bridesmaids all have their bouquets before photography begins to helping the ring bearer down the aisle, from making sure you have something in your glass to toast during speeches to having your dad ready in the ballroom when it’s time for your special dance.
Leave the orchestrating, organizing, and initiating of those very important details to a Coordinator so you, and your closest loved ones, can enjoy your day. While family friends may volunteer to help in any way they can, encourage them to help with tasks leading up to the day-of and to just enjoy your wedding day.
Keep in mind, Coordinators are familiar with putting out hypothetical fires and handling day-of emergencies with grace. One of the biggest benefits to having a professional in your corner is their experience in making a day with so many moving parts flow smoothly for you.
In short, yes, you need a Wedding Coordinator. Your wedding day should be a day of pure happiness for you, your family, and all your friends. Make sure every plan you make comes to fruition and your fairytale day comes true with a little help from a Wedding Coordinator alongside your dream vendor team.
Vendors:
Planner: MG Wedding Coordination | Branding Photography: ALLYOGRAPHY
