A wedding is the most important and memorable day of a couple's lives together. As a woman, you've probably been daydreaming about your wedding since you were a little girl. You want it to be beautiful and perfect, like something out of a storybook.
Things start to go wrong and get complex months before the wedding. Plus, (particularly) as the big day approaches, you realise you simply don't have the reserves of time or energy to pull off everything necessary to make it perfect on your own. And that's where the wedding day coordinator comes in!
There has always been heated discussion among future brides over whether or not to hire a wedding coordinator to aid with the organisation and execution of their big day. If you do some research online, you'll find that some brides will tell you that hiring a day-of coordinator was the best decision they made, while others will try to convince you that it's a waste of money. This is the source of much uncertainty for future brides, who can't decide if hiring a coordinator is the best course of action.
You're smack in the middle of wedding preparations, and things are heating up. Whether you're working with a professional event planner, a coordinator for the day of the event, a friend who's eager to pitch in, or you're doing it all by yourself, you're probably working hard.
If you want to enjoy your wedding day without worrying about the logistics of setting up, breaking down, responding to emergencies, or locating missing relatives, a wedding planner or day-of coordinator can be a lifesaver. They'll handle it for you.
Explain the role of the "Day-of Coordinator."
In order to help you organise your big day, you might engage a "day-of coordinator" (or "DOC" for short). Some people use the term "Month-Of Coordinator" or "Event Manager" to refer to the DOC. It is common practise for wedding planners to include day-of coordination services in their planning packages for brides who cannot afford a more comprehensive service. Hiring a DOC is something you should do months before the big day, and they should begin working with you no later than three to six weeks before the ceremony. And the most common service they offer is as follows:
- If employed,Serve as a trusted advisor and suggest potential suppliers on a consistent basis.
- Three to four weeks up to a month in advance
- Help you organise a schedule, gather contracts and suppliers' contact information.
- As early as 1–2 weeks before
- Coordinate the arrival, setup, and breakdown times with all participating vendors.
- Distribute a schedule and list of suppliers to all of them.
- Earlier in the day
Your officiant or other church official should be present at the rehearsal and play a role in its organisation.
Day of - Get there right when the first seller does. Be there to direct all vendors, put up any individual items, oversee the event's schedule (preparation, ceremony, photographs, cocktail hour, meal, dancing, music), and provide as a single point of contact for inquiries and concerns.
To What Extent Will They Attend My Wedding?
In total, a qualified DOC will spend 15–20 hours getting ready for your big day. As part of this process, we will communicate with you via phone calls and emails, provide recommendations for suppliers, help you finalise your timeline, and contact and send out information to all of your chosen vendors. About two hours will be spent on the rehearsal (not counting travel time), and at least ten on the wedding itself (plus travel time). It's safe to assume that you'll need to put in around 30 hours. On the wedding day itself, many will additionally provide an assistant to help you out during the course of the day.
Could You Tell me How Much They Are?
It costs between $ 500 and $ 3,000 to hire a professional wedding coordinator. This wide variety is due to factors including location (weddings in large cities and beautiful wedding venues are more expensive), guest count, and level of ceremony complexity.
That Price Tag Is Shockingly High. Are the Benefits Justified the Effort?
YES! It's well worth it to relieve yourself of the pressure of organising the wedding down to the last detail by hiring a professional. Okay, let's do some quick math with the cash we have. Let's begin with a general estimate of the going rate for highly skilled professionals. Price ranges between $50 and $100 per hour are realistic expectations. The going rate for many upscale planners is between $150 and $200. For instance, if a planner is paid $75 per hour for a total of 30 hours of work, the total cost would be $2,250. Most also include the services of an assistant, which, at $15 per hour for a total of 8 hours, would cost an additional $120. In this case, the grand total is $2370. Not bad considering the time they invest in you and your day and the stress alleviation you will get as a result.
That Price Tag Is Shockingly High. Are the Benefits Justified the Effort?
YES! It's well worth it to relieve yourself of the pressure of organising the wedding down to the last detail by hiring a professional. Okay, let's do some quick math with the cash we have. Let's begin with a general estimate of the going rate for highly skilled professionals. Price ranges between $50 and $100 per hour are realistic expectations. The going rate for many upscale planners is between $150 and $200. For instance, if a planner is paid $75 per hour for a total of 30 hours of work, the total cost would be $2,250. Most also include the services of an assistant, which, at $15 per hour for a total of 8 hours, would cost an additional $120. In this case, the grand total is $2370. Not bad considering the time they invest in you and your day and the stress alleviation you will get as a result.
We Really Need Assistance but Can't Afford It.
Consider the possibility of employing a person who currently works as an assistant for a well-known wedding planner as a possible alternative. You can also try contacting well-respected wedding planners to see if they have an assistant who might be ready to help out. There have been numerous weddings, so assistants will know what has to be done. At the very least, you'll have a person who has been at weddings before and can assist with the flow of the day, even if they aren't as adept at problem-solving as a professional planner. A hired assistant can run you anything from $500 to $1,000 per year.
One last idea is to hire a friend who is very well-organized to be your day-of coordinator. You can't invite someone with a drinking problem or someone in your wedding party. It's not a role for the faint of heart, as they'll be in charge of directing your suppliers and guests. If you're considering of hiring a friend, it's important that you sign up for our service and view our video, "The Top 7 Mistakes Do-It-Yourself Brides Make—and How to Avoid Them," so that you may avoid the most common problems that arise when people make this decision. It's a major favour, so be ready to compensate this pal monetarily or with a pricey token of your appreciation. Having a formal agreement outlining your friend's responsibilities in advance is strongly recommended.
How Should We Best Prepare For My Day-of Coordinator?
Prepare a folder for your day-of coordinator no matter who you end up hiring. A full copy of all contracts, a list of vendors including contact information for those who will be present on the wedding day, and a detailed schedule of events are all essential components of a well-organized wedding day packet. In most cases, your DOC will be able to provide assistance in developing a schedule.
Certainly do hope that you will consider hiring a wedding coordinator for the day of your wedding. On your wedding day, you should be able to relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones without worrying about anything else but the happy couple.
Is It Appropriate To Hire Someone To Plan The Wedding Day Details?
There's no denying that it's not as simple as it looks to find a coordinator for your wedding day. First off, the sheer number of possible occupations is staggering. It can be challenging to pick the one that fits the vision you have for your wedding day amidst all the other obligations you currently have. The great news is that many wedding venues also have coordinators on staff who can help you plan and manage your dream celebration. The bad news is that the venue's provided professional is not always the right fit for administering the event in accordance with your expectations, forcing you back to the first stage. What's more, the decision to hire a wedding day organizer is also a financial one, which can make things more complicated, especially if you're strapped for cash.
Advantages of Hiring a Wedding Coordinator for the Big Day
Without knowing the benefits and drawbacks, you cannot make a well-informed decision when selecting a coordinator for your special day. Many women don't skimp when it comes to choosing a coordinator since they know it will make a huge difference on their big day. Here is a quick rundown of the reasons why enlisting the services of a wedding day organiser may be the best option for you.
They Aid in The Creation of an Elaborate Wedding Day Schedule.
When it comes to organising the details of your wedding, uncertainty is your worst enemy. With the assistance of a professional day-of coordinator, you can create a comprehensive wedding timeline that specifies when and where each event will take place and how it will be overseen. Making sure everything goes off without a hitch is your goal, and this strategy will get you there!
Nothing to Worry About The Schedule For Your Wedding Day Will Cause You Any Anxiety.
Knowing that a trained expert has prepared for and will be handling the schedule as per your objectives on your wedding day is a guaranteed method to lessen any blows or shocks that may occur throughout the ceremony.
When Something Goes Wrong, They Have a Backup Plan.
Having worked in the industry for some time, these experts will know how to handle the most typical problems that can arise on your special day. Because of their extensive background, they can anticipate potential problems and devise solutions to make your wedding run without a hitch.
They'll Handle Vendor Coordination so You Don't Have to.
Hiring a wedding organiser the day of the event also means you won't have to worry about coordinating with each and every one of your service providers. Simply communicate your desired timeframe to the coordinator and they will handle everything else. Vendors will be bustling around the site the day before and the day of the wedding. You shouldn't be the main point of contact because you already have plenty on your plate. Hiring a day-of coordinator will free you up to focus on the two of you on your wedding day.
Think of The Wedding Dress Rehearsal as All Set.
Your dream wedding's planning frenzy will begin well before the big day. It's fair to assume that you expend as much mental and physical energy on the rehearsal and establishing the correct timing as you do on the actual event itself. In terms of preparation and rehearsal management, the day-of coordinator will alleviate any and all concerns.
They'll Ensure That The Bride's Attendants, Groom, And Best Men Stay on Schedule.
Keep in mind that your groom has plenty to worry about on his wedding day without you pestering him about the importance of the groomsmen's duties. If you've engaged a coordinator to handle the day-of details, you won't have to worry about a thing. The coordinator must now keep in touch with the groom and his attendants to brief them on their responsibilities and the schedule.
At The Conclusion of The Night, They'll Collect All The Presents And Aid in a Takedown.
It is a wonderful custom that guests shower the bride and groom with gifts and presents on their wedding day. Even while it may sound exciting, the actual process of getting them, collecting them, and bringing them back to your house is not interesting in the slightest. If you hire a day-of wedding coordinator, you can relax and enjoy yourself as the coordinator handles all the logistics while you focus on the enjoyable portion of the day: unwrapping gifts.
Is a Wedding Day Coordinator Necessary?
As with any wedding-day add-on, this is entirely up to you and your partner's discretionary spending and priority list; what one couple "needs" another couple may find superfluous. If you're on the fence about whether or not to hire a coordinator for your wedding day, we say go for it! We understand that you may be nervous about the logistics of your wedding day because it will likely be your first big event of this kind. If you're asking yourself, it's probably because you're trying to avoid the administrative burden that comes with planning the biggest day of your life. It's a splurge, but it will help you focus on the joy of your wedding day rather than the stress of arranging last-minute lodging, meals, and other details.
Ultimately, hiring a coordinator for the big day itself is a choice you won't be sorry you made. There are very few scenarios in which employing such a specialist would not be beneficial. Aside from that, you'll undoubtedly see it as a worthwhile expenditure for your dream wedding. When you consider the advantages you'll gain, it's clear that, if financially feasible, you should hire a coordinator for your special day. Is it your opinion that it is worthwhile to spend money on a wedding coordinator? What do you think?
FAQs About Wedding Coordinator
Experts suggest setting aside 5-10% of your wedding budget for a wedding planner. Doing so goes far beyond convenience — in the end, a wedding planner helps couples save money and time while providing peace of mind on their wedding day.
A day of coordinator can be essential for any wedding couple who wants to do most of the planning themselves, but when their wedding day arrives, they want a professional to execute all of their hard work and planning. A day of coordinator can join the planning process at various points leading up to the wedding day.
If you are organized and comfortable managing the majority of the wedding planning process, you may only want a month-of wedding coordinator. This is a great option for couples who are extremely hands-on and don't want—or need—outside input.
Conclusion
The decision of whether or not to hire a coordinator has always caused much debate among would-be brides. You should start looking for a wedding planner a long time before the big day. The DOC may also be referred to as the "Day-of Coordinator" or the "Event Manager." Employing a professional wedding coordinator can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000. (DOC). A competent DOC will spend between fifteen and twenty hours getting you ready for the big day.
The rehearsal will take about two hours (not including travel time), and the ceremony itself will take at least ten. It's money well spent if it means not having to stress over every aspect of planning the wedding.
The pros and cons of working with a wedding planner to organise your big day. Venues often have coordinators on staff to help you organise and execute your ideal party. If you are skilled at planning, organising, and managing your time, you can rest assured that nothing will go wrong.
Your wedding day is about the two of you, so hire a day-of coordinator so you can relax and enjoy it. They'll keep the Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, and Best Men on track. At the end of the party, they will gather all the gifts and help with a takeover. We strongly advise you to hire a coordinator for your wedding day if you are on the fence about doing so. Hiring a coordinator will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the celebration. Besides, you'll look back on it and realise it was money well spent on your fairytale wedding.
Content Summary
- Earlier in the day Your officiant or other church official should be present at the rehearsal and play a role in its organisation.
- On the wedding day itself, many will additionally provide an assistant to help you out during the course of the day.
- It's well worth it to relieve yourself of the pressure of organising the wedding down to the last detail by hiring a professional.
- Consider the possibility of employing a person who currently works as an assistant for a well-known wedding planner as a possible alternative.
- One last idea is to hire a friend who is very well-organised to be your day-of coordinator.
- Certainly do hope that you will consider hiring a wedding coordinator for the day of your wedding.
- Hiring a wedding organiser the day of the event also means you won't have to worry about coordinating with each and every one of your service providers.
- Hiring a day-of coordinator will free you up to focus on the two of you on your wedding day.
- In terms of preparation and rehearsal management, the day-of coordinator will alleviate any and all concerns.
- If you've engaged a coordinator to handle the day-of details, you won't have to worry about a thing.
- The coordinator must now keep in touch with the groom and his attendants to brief them on their responsibilities and the schedule.
- It is a wonderful custom that guests shower the bride and groom with gifts and presents on their wedding day.