Tag:

wedding coordinator

357- How to think like a Wedding Planner

by Aleisha January 28, 2019

written by Aleisha

Choosing to work with a wedding planner or coordinator to help plan your wedding (and manage the logistics of the day) can we a wonderful investment but how do you find a planner who is qualified and experienced? Today's guest Kylie Carlson is the owner of the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning. Kylie shares her tips for finding the right help for you, pricing and how to communicate clearly to plan the wedding you want! Listen to this episode and prepare to learn how to think like a wedding planner

Listen to Episode 357 of Bridechilla

Are there too many choices?

There has been a huge shift in wedding planning thanks to social media. Now, brides and couples have thousands of pictures and videos that show the most unique and extravagant weddings. Wanting to have their own personalized experience, couples have to sift through more options than ever before. This creates a longer list of demands and potentially adds more stress to everyone involved. Kylie says that many brides are simply overwhelmed by choice. She cautions against the unrealistic expectations that social media can create. Hear more advice for how to avoid that sense of overwhelm while still having the kind of wedding you dream of during this conversation.

How to avoid the Bridezilla label

Hopefully, most people will only have to experience planning one wedding in their lifetime. Nobody gets married hoping for that marriage to fail so they can go through the process all over again. This fact often puts unnecessary pressure on the couple to have everything work out perfectly. The stress and desire to get it right, combined with potential frustration of dealing with vendors, wedding parties, decorations and family can lead to brides being called the dreaded term - bridezilla. Kylie discusses why some brides can be seen as bridezillas, why that term is unfair, and how to avoid being labeled a bridezilla during this podcast.

Teamwork makes the wedding planning dream work

Throughout the episode, Kylie Carlson discusses ways an average wedding planner can become a great one. Being better than the rest takes special attention to detail and going the extra mile to ensure the couple your working with has an exceptional experience. One way to think like a top-level wedding planner is by considering both partners getting married. Often wedding planners make the mistake of focusing only on the bride’s needs. This causes the other partner to feel left out and can put additional stress on the bride. Instead, Kylie suggests that wedding planners work with both parties to determine their needs and desires.

Choosing vendors like a wedding planner

Choosing not to hire a wedding planner leaves the couple with the responsibility of dealing with vendors. However, wedding planners have a network of trusted vendors and experience in negotiating that is more than worth the price of hiring them. A great wedding planner also knows the right way to interview and vet potential vendors to ensure a great experience. Choosing a wedding planner means couples only have to interview for that one position, not the entire multitude of vendors needed for the wedding. Kylie suggests that couples not get into business with someone you don’t think you can trust or work with. Hear more tips for how to think like a wedding planner on this episode of the Bridechilla podcast.

Listen to Episode 357 of Bridechilla

Show Highlights

[1:36] Wedding planning is overwhelming because not many people have ever really planned an event like this. That’s why the bridechilla podcast exists, to help ease the stress and provide resources to help brides and couples plan the wedding they want and deserve
[4:28] Introduction of Kylie Carlson, owner International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning
[6:41] How Kylie got into the wedding and event industry through her job as a pot washer, then silver service waitress.
[11:43] The changes that Kylie has seen in her career planning events and weddings and how internet access has been both helpful and harmful to wedding planning
[14:03] The pressure and stress of wedding planning can lead to the so-called “Bridezilla”
[16:49] Groomzillas are now an issue because grooms are having more input in the wedding
[19:20] How can you get the groom more involved in the wedding planning process
[25:36] Kylie talks about the 3 kinds of students that go through her academy and what kind of people aren’t cut out for wedding and event planning
[29:49] Tips for couples when interviewing their wedding vendors and/or planner
[36:48] How hiring a wedding planner can pay off when planning your wedding

Memorable Quotes

“From a bridal couples point of view, they are overwhelmed with choice because they didn’t have the access to everything that they’ve got now.”
“It’s actually now not so much the brides who are causing the problems, a lot of the times it’s the grooms”
“If you don’t hit it off with somebody and you don’t like them, you’re not going to be able to work with them, whether that’s as a professional or as a bride or groom.”
“Don’t be drawn in by a gorgeous website and don’t be drawn in by gorgeous pictures on a website.”
“The beauty of a planner is they’ve already vetted everybody for you.”

Meet This Episode’s Guest

Kylie Carlson is the owner of the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning. With six locations globally, the academy boasts an internationally recognized accreditation program that brings professional training to wedding planners, designers and stylists. As Director of the International Academy of Wedding and Event Planning Kylie teaches, inspires and motivates the future stars of the wedding and event industry.

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by Andre Hunter

January 28, 2019

Bridechilla Blog Bridechilla Podcast

356-Finding Work Wedding Balance

by Aleisha January 21, 2019

written by Aleisha

Guests Michelle and Lucy from Honey Dew are here to help you find a better work/life/wedding balance. Last year they quit their day jobs to launch their business with the aim to help couples ditch the hard slog of wedding research and get them to be the middle ladies in the vendor/client relationship.
They have become the buffer between wedding vendors couples, so that couples can STOP reading through 17 page wedding packets for each vendor they talked to, and just…let Michelle and Lucy screen vendors for them!

Listen to Episode 356 of The Bridechilla Podcast

Finding a Work-Wedding Balance with Lucy and Michelle from Honeydew

Since you can’t just press pause on 6 months of life and work, it is important to find a work-wedding balance when planning your wedding. When you have a full-time job and a life full of responsibilities and activities, it’s difficult to find the time to invest in planning your wedding. On today’s Bridechilla podcast, guests Michelle and Lucy from Honeydew, an online wedding planning service, share how they are helping take the stress out of the wedding planning experience. Hear planning hacks, tips about how to deal with vendors, and how Honeydew can help you.

"A lot of times women become default planners throughout their lives. It’s a role we take on either by choice because willingly we want to or because sometimes we are the only ones left willing to carry that burden."

Who has time to plan a wedding?

Michelle and Lucy say that it takes 300+ hours to plan a wedding. You have to screen vendors, pick out flowers, book a venue, plan a menu, find a dress and select outfits for the wedding party. And on top of all that, you have to balance the demands of daily life. Wouldn’t it be great to have a personal assistant who could help you with the planning? That’s exactly why Michelle and Lucy started Honeydew. They developed a tech savvy solution that is the go-between for couples and their wedding vendors. Hear more about how they started the company and the value they are bring to Bridechillas everywhere on this week’s podcast.

How to get creative in your wedding planning

Many times, brides find that the only option to help them plan their wedding is using a traditional wedding planner. Wedding planners know vendors and venues and can help ease the burden of planning. However, sometimes traditional wedding planners can become barriers to creativity. It is becoming increasingly more common to create a unique wedding experience. Sometimes the traditional wedding photographer or florists can’t accomplish what the couple wants. How can you get past the traditional mindset to create a personalized wedding? Listen as Michelle and Lucy share tips for getting past the creative barriers while planning your wedding.

“No one is going to do a bad job because they resent you for negotiating. Everyone is going to want to do an amazing job so that you refer them to your friends and talk highly of them.”

Photo by Emma Matthews

Tips for staying on budget

As we’ve talked about many times on the bridechilla podcast, it is so important to have a budget for your wedding. Whether it’s a shoestring budget or tens of thousands of dollars, knowing your budget will help you prioritize as you plan. Michelle and Lucy stress that you can leverage your budget when dealing with vendors. Knowing your budget gives you negotiating power. And don’t be afraid of hurting a vendors feelings or making them mad. Vendors have markups and can often give discounts in a variety of ways. The key is to always be polite and direct with your desires. Listen to the podcast to hear more tips on negotiating and dealing with vendors from Michelle and Lucy.

Helping Chillas find a work-wedding balance

Lucy and Michelle started Honeydew because they understood the stress and demands that Bridechillas face. They deal with a lot of high power women who have stressful and time consuming jobs. Add planning a wedding to that lifestyle and it’s a much more difficult challenge. No matter what your job or life circumstance may be, trying to find a work-wedding balance is difficult. Honeydew was created to help ease that burden and help brides and couples be able to fulfill their daily obligations and even find joy in planning their wedding. Hear all about Honeydew and much more on the Bridechilla podcast.

Photo by rawpixel

Listen to Episode 356 of the Bridechilla Podcast

Meet This Episode’s Guest

After watching their sisters and friends stress about the details of wedding planning, Lucy and Michelle decided to take action. Using their experience in technology and business at Amazon and McKinsey, they created a solution to make the wedding planning process simpler and more affordable. They co-founded Honeydew, a business dedicated to helping couples plan their weddings by reducing the stress of dealing with vendors. Honeydew serves as a personal assistant for the wedding planning process.

*If US Chillas head to Honeydew and click “Plan for Me” and mention "Bridechilla" or use referral code "CHILLA" they'll get a 10% discount!

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by Brooke Cagle

January 21, 2019

Bridechilla Blog Bridechilla Podcast

306: Little Wedding Details That Make a Big Difference

by Erica Greenwold Reisen February 5, 2018

written by Erica Greenwold Reisen

Sometimes it’s the little details that make a big difference especially when you are focusing on planning a big event like a wedding. In this episode of the Bridechilla Podcast, I’m joined by wedding coordinator and planner Erica Greenwold Reisen from Folie à Deux Events who shares some of the most essential smaller details that are often forgotten or left to the last minute that will make your wedding plans run smoother.

Listen to episode 306 of Bridechilla

Catering & Bar Setup

Non-traditional venues often will require renting items such as tables, chairs, and sometimes even coolers or hot boxes to ensure that your food remains at the proper temperature until it is served.

When you are visiting and considering venues, an often overlooked detail is where and how your caterers and bar will be set up. One of your questions while touring the venue should be where do caterers usually set up shop and what amenities are available for the caterers to use. Some venues have full kitchens, others simply have a catering prep or staging area, and some venues have no such thing at all, leaving caterers to set up in tents outdoors or create their own makeshift prep areas. This is a particular issue at non-traditional or atypical event venues and historical properties that do not specialize in weddings. It may even be a good idea to visit the venue with your caterer well in advance of the wedding so that they can formulate a game plan for setup, staging, and serving.

Ok, now onto the bar. Where does the bar usually set up in your venue? Is there water or a sink to rinse glassware? Who will tend bar and who provides the booze? Who gets the liquor license? What about liability insurance? These are all questions that must be asked upfront and can significantly affect the overall costs of your bar.

BONUS: Who supplies your place settings and serving dishes? Some caterers include this in their quotes while others do not. You will likely need to rent plates, silverware, glassware, etc... discuss this with your bartender as well, they may provide glassware for bar service, and they may not.

Photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography

Marriage License & Officiants

This may seem silly, but getting legally married is kind of the whole point of this shindig, and yet it is something we get questions about all the time. The two key details you need to make sure are in order are your marriage license and that you have an officiant who can legally perform the marriage.

Every county/state/country/jurisdiction is going to potentially have different processes and rules for getting a marriage license. The best thing to do is hit up Google to find out what local department handles marriage licenses in your area and then pick up the phone or pay them a visit to get the details. Government websites are often hard to navigate and it will be significantly less hassle to just talk to a live person.

Photo by Ben White

The same goes for your officiant. Counties/States/Countries all have different laws about what makes a person qualified to legally perform your marriage. Before you assume your friend can get "ordained" online and do the wedding, check with your local government as to what rules they have regarding ordination and whether they recognize online or non-religious officiants. If all else fails, you can perform the legal part of the ceremony at the courthouse ahead of the wedding and then do what you want for the public ceremony.
Do not leave either of these things to the last minute - they are the most crucial parts of your wedding!

Photo by Nicole Honeywill

Listen to episode 306 of Bridechilla

Event Insurance & Risk Assessment

Some venues will require you to get Event Insurance, and others will not... but regardless of whether it is required, it is always a good idea and not very expensive. Not convinced? The best thing to do when you are determining the risks and your potential liability is to do an Event Risk Assessment. Many wedding planners include this in their services, but you can perform one yourself using this handy spreadsheet! The purpose of an Event Risk Assessment is to identify possible areas where things could go wrong and create a game plan to remove or mitigate that risk. This will help you get an idea of what kind of wedding insurance you should get and what levels of coverage you will need.

Bathrooms!

The most glamorous detail of wedding planning! Are there enough bathrooms to accommodate all of your guests comfortably. This should not be an issue for a traditional event space that was built with the purpose of hosting large events, but it can be an issue with non-traditional and atypical or historic venues. Ask your venue upfront if you will need to arrange for additional bathroom facilities because this can end up being a big ticket item. There are lots of options at a wide range of price points, but generally speaking, for a wedding you will want to do a nicer bathroom trailer with flushing toilets and sinks for handwashing.

Photo by cindy baffour

Directions and Parking Information

Usually I advocate for trusting your guests to be adults and handle themselves as such... but it is also kind to give them a little direction and guidance. Provide your guests with some information on where to park and how to get to your venue on your wedding website, or in printed directions that are sent with your invitations. Confirm ahead of time with your venue where the best parking can be found in the area. You do not want guests getting lost or discovering that their cars have been towed! This can be a particular issue with downtown/city venues or historic sites.

Transportation for Wedding Party

Transportation is often one of the first things to go in the Fuck-it Bucket because of the cost. But as a planner I love when couples book transportation for their wedding party. This guarantees everyone who is crucial to your wedding day is where they need to be on time. Plus it allows your wedding party to let loose and drink without worrying about driving afterward. This is an especially good idea if your event has multiple locations throughout the day.

Overnight Bags

Are you staying at a hotel the night of your wedding? If so, you will need to pack an overnight bag and have a game plan for how it will get to your hotel room. The common issue is that if you didn't stay in the same room the night before the wedding, you may not be able to check into the room before it is time to start getting ready for the wedding. Arrange for a family member or friend to delivery your bags and get you checked into the room. It may be helpful to contact the hotel staff prior to your arrival to let them know as well.

Photo by Alasdair Elmes

Who takes the gifts home?

You have just had your grand exit and are off to the after party or your hotel! Did you appoint a family member or friend to collect all your cards and gifts? Who is going to be responsible for delivering these items safely to you after the wedding? This is a detail that is often overlooked and definitely needs to be discussed prior to the event.

Decor Breakdown and Pickup

Similar to the question about gifts... who is breaking down your decor and making sure that rented items are returned to their proper owners. When will the rental companies pick up their items? Does the venue require rentals to be put someplace specific? Does the venue even allow your rental company to come back at a later date? Find out what needs to be broken down and picked up the night of the wedding and have a game plan for who will do that. Confirm with your florist as to whether they need the vessels returned and if they do, make sure no one walks out the door with your arrangements!

Some rental companies charge extra for same day pickup because it generally requires longer hours and very late hours for their team. Florists often need their vessels and vases back soon after the wedding, but may not be able to come that night to break down. These are all questions to be asked prior to finalizing your timeline for the day. Make sure all of your wedding pros have provided you with their schedule and that their plans match your expectations and timeline for the event.

You will need to confirm with the venue regarding drop-off and pickup of rentals to make sure that your plans and rental deliveries do not interfere with other events that may be happening the same weekend.

Photo by The Creative Exchange

Be prepared for the little things!

Every wedding is different, and every venue is different... there are likely to be some small details that we have not mentioned here that could make or break your event. The best thing is to be prepared. Take your time to really dig into the details and never assume something is included or handled by someone else. Ask tons of questions of your wedding pros and venue. Make a list of little things you noticed at other weddings and how you felt they were handled. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

About the Author: Erica Greenwold Reisen is the lead planner and designer at Folie à Deux Events. She specializes in authentic, unique events for couples who like to challenge traditions and do their own thing. She is the founder and editor of Secularly Wed, a wedding blog dedicated to meaningful, non-religious wedding planning.

February 5, 2018

Bridechilla Blog Bridechilla Podcast

277- Achieving Life/Wedding Balance

by Aleisha July 17, 2017

written by Aleisha

If you feel like you are spinning plates, trying to balance your work, home and wedding planning life, I am sure you are not alone.
One major theme that runs through The Bridechilla Podcast and discussion in our Bridechilla Community is trying to find balance while also ticking off all of those tasks in the overgrowing list while also maintaining relationships and having some semblance of a relaxing/leisure time.

Listen to episode 277 of Bridechilla

We get it. It can be hard and sometimes feel like a struggle.

This episode’s guest is Afeisha James-Kipps. Afeisha is the CEO and Co-founder of Wedspire, a one-stop-shop wedding platform that will change the way brides and grooms plan for their big day.

Afeisha and I share our struggles with finding a balance with our businesses and our experiences planning our weddings and bring you ways to calm the mind, get organised and feel in control of your tasks while also giving yourself permission to relax and have a life!

Afeisha shares some of her thoughts about wedding/life balance

When talking about wedding planning for some, it is quite an excitement, but for others, the first words that come to mind are stressful and overwhelmed. This is arguably one of the biggest moments of your life so having a work/life balance while planning your wedding is crucial.

Why Do You Feel Overwhelmed?

First off, let’s dive in and examine why you might be feeling as though your wedding planning is simply too overwhelming. It could be due to a long list of things based on your circumstances, honestly. A few main reasons brides feeling overwhelmed, and maybe you can relate to this, is because you don’t know where to start. You ask your mother, mother - in- law, and best friends who have gotten married but they all seem to have a different vision of what they think your wedding should be.

Do Your Research

You can start out by researching the right pros that align with YOUR vision and the process that suits you the best. What works for you might be different than what worked for your mother, mother - in- law, or best friend. It surely is overwhelming when there are so many options but the more you know, the easier it will be to narrow down your options. Research is key because it will lead you to a better understanding of what it is you are really wanting. The more research you do the more knowledgeable you will be and the less overwhelmed you will become.

As you will hear on this episode of The Bridechilla podcast, wedding planning should be a team exercise- taking the time to focus on getting together and talking about what it is you and your partner are both wanting after doing some research is a strong step forward in the planning process that will lead to a successful plan.

Trust The Pros!

It may be second nature for you to have your hands in every facet, but sooner or later, it will become too overbearing, and it won’t be an enjoyable process. By doing research, communicating with your significant other to narrow down options, and hiring the right pros, you will be way ahead of the game. You will be able to enjoy your wedding planning instead of stressing about every little detail.

If you have done some research, you may have come across, Wedspire during your wedding planning search. That is because Wedspire is a platform where you can search, shop, and share your wedding planning findings all in one place. Talk about a stress-free planning process! From photographers to venues to veils and bouquets, all that you may need to create your dream wedding is at your finger tips.

About Afeisha:
Afeisha comes to Wedspire after a prolific career in event management. She has helped plan large-scale festivals and conferences, including Caribana, the largest Caribbean festival in North America, where she served as the Arts & Entertainment Chair. When Afeisha transitioned to her role as the events director at an international hotelier, the memorable experience of working on several large weddings there led her to fall in love with the wedding industry. Passionate about catering to every couple’s unique style and vision, Afeisha founded Wedspire in order to do just that by pairing couples with the best wedding vendors in the industry.
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July 17, 2017

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276- What does a Wedding Coordinator actually do?

by Aleisha July 10, 2017

written by Aleisha

If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, it is that weddings are a ton of work. If you are engaged, I am sure you are already feeling spreadsheet overwhelm and decision fatigue. I have heard couples compare wedding planning to having a second full time job, except you are not getting paid - in fact you are the ones paying!

The fact of the matter is that for most couples, this is the first time you have ever planned an event of this magnitude. There are lots of moving parts and little details to take care of and that is before you even get to the family politics and societal traditions. Strip away all the emotional baggage from a wedding, and you still have a huge task on your hands.

Ok, so you might not have it in the budget to hire a full on, Jennifer Lopez style wedding planner. Or maybe you are really looking forward to planning your wedding and are just feeling a little lost and overwhelmed with the logistics! Sounds like it might be time to call in a Wedding Coordinator!

Listen to episode 276 of Bridechilla

Wedding Planning vs. Coordination

There are a few key differences in full Wedding Planning and Wedding Coordination - though many planners offer both services. Full planning is the more expensive service where your planner does most of the hard work while you sip champagne and pick between the two or three options they have proposed. It is a luxury service for sure, one that is perfect for busy folks who simply do not have the time to dedicate to planning the event. Wedding planning can also include design services and other in-house add-ons.

Wedding coordination is a lighter - more nimble option for folks who need help, but don’t need someone holding their hand the whole way. It is also generally speaking, the more budget friendly option.

Now, take note… I have not once used the term “Day of Coordinator.” That is intentional. The term “Day of” causes a lot of confusion for couples and diminishes the work the coordinator actually does. For most of us, the work begins months in advance. No one can do this job in a day and actually do it well.

You may see the service referred to by some wedding professionals as Month-of Coordination or Wedding Month Management. This is terminology that is a little closer to accurate in that they take the reins at the 4 week mark and run the show from there. However, in my own business, I prefer to ditch any time constraints and I simply call it Wedding Coordination.

The Responsibilities of a Wedding Coordinator

The basic responsibilities of a wedding coordinator are mostly going to be the same no matter who you hire. Each planner has unique value that they bring to the table, whether it be through additional services they offer, design experience, or sometimes even just their personality and style! Finding a coordinator who “gets you” is extremely important. Your coordinator should be completely on board with your vision for the wedding and the amount of help you need along the way.

Carlisha Magnarella of A Rose Designs sends the flower girl down the aisle.

Here are the basics responsibilities you can expect a Wedding Coordinator to handle:

Provide you with a checklist of planning tasks so you don’t miss any important details.
Make vendor recommendations based on your needs for the wedding.
Keep track of the contact info and scope of work for each vendor you book.
Create a timeline of events for the wedding.
Visit your venue and make note of any house rules if they are not already familiar with it.
Wedding Planner, Claudia Cole, adjusts the bride's dress before their entrance! Photo by Avenue Photo.
Meet with you to coordinate logistics and confirm details during the final 3-4 weeks.
Act as liaison with your vendors during the final 3-4 weeks - communicating the timeline, expectations, and other important details.
Coordinate your wedding rehearsal.
Be on-site to manage vendor setup and execute your desired decor plan.
Act as your Wedding Stage Manager - ensuring the event remains on schedule and handling any small emergencies or issues that may arise.
Provide an emergency kit with supplies, first aid, and other helpful tools.
Oversee breakdown of decor and pack-out at the end of the event.
Wedding Planner, Sara Kardooni assists the bride before photos.

Some awesome additional services that your coordinator might offer are:

Floorplan designs and help with seating charts.
Online planning tools and software.
Design inspiration and mood boards.
MC duties at your event.
Assistants or Setup Crews
Floral design or decor rentals

The key thing to understand is that when you hire a wedding coordinator, you are still the one planning your wedding. You book the vendors, you manage the budget, you plan and source the decor, etc… A coordinator gives guidance and support to ensure your ideas for the wedding come to fruition!

When should you hire a Wedding Coordinator?

Just engaged? Great! Go hire your wedding coordinator. No really, I am serious. Having a coordinator on your team from the very start can be a fantastic resource and they will be able to guide you toward reputable vendors and event partners.

Most wedding planners require you to have your wedding date pretty much nailed down while others choose to give priority to full planning clients and may only take coordination clients 4-6 months out to fill in the gaps in their schedule. I and many other planners will take coordination clients as much as a year (or more) out from the wedding.

Not sure where to find a good coordinator, ask your venue. Chances are they have coordinators they can recommend. BUT! There is a huge difference between a “day of coordinator” provided by the venue and an independent wedding coordinator that you hire. A venue coordinator or “day of coordinator” brought in by the venue works for the venue, not you. They will not necessarily handle all the responsibilities listed above. Read more about the differences in this fantastic article from Twelfth Night Events.

Coordinator and Desiger, Erica from Folie à Deux Events browsing flowers for a design. Photo by Ana Teresa Galizes.

Photographers can often provide recommendations for wedding coordinators they like to work with as well. Much of the timeline creation process is done with input from the photographer so if your photog has someone they like to work with, that is a good sign that the coordinator is totally awesome!

But what will a Wedding Coordinator cost?

I wish I could give you a more specific answer, but the truth is that it depends. The cost of a Wedding Coordinator varies by location, the size of your wedding, experience of the coordinator, and the level of service provided. We are talking anywhere between around $500 on the low end all the way through $3000 on the upper end. Though the average in most parts of the US is around $1000-$1500 with prices in major cities being higher.

Things that can add to the coordinator’s cost include large guest lists, multi-day events, multi-day setup and breakdown, additional crew requirements, multiple locations on the wedding day (such as a church and a reception venue), or any design services you add. It is often possible to create a custom package if you know you are going to need more help than the basic responsibilities, but not as much as the full planning package includes.

When comparing the package prices of different planners, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Whether that be in years of experience, or services provided, there is a wide range and you definitely get what you pay for. Lower priced coordinators are generally pretty new to the business and they may be great at the job, but have less experience handling emergencies or issues. However, the younger, less experienced planner might be a fantastic fit for you and have a more modern approach to weddings and events… so my advice is to never book on price alone. Make sure you really gel with the planner and that you are clear on what services they can provide you with.

Christina Haddad Cox Lucca juggles the bride's bouquet, a 12ft long veil, a Lightsaber, and wizard wands! Photo by Enchanted Portraiture.

Why you should definitely have a Wedding Coordinator.

I have a secret to admit. Even with being a wedding coordinator myself, I did not actually have one at my own wedding - and it was the absolute biggest mistake I made. I convinced myself that because of all my knowledge and experience with weddings, that I could handle it all on my own. The fact is that no amount of expertise or experience can prepare you for just how straight up bonkers your wedding is going to be. It’s like a freight train fueled by ALL THE EMOTIONS going full steam ahead whether you are ready or not. You are going to need someone on your team.

Shawna Gray of White Orchid Weddings sets up the final details at this gorgeous outdoor wedding! Photo by IvenKaye Photography.

A wedding coordinator will be there for you, managing all the details while you, your friends, and your family are free to be in the moment. When people talk about how quickly the wedding day goes by, it is often because they didn’t have a minute to take it all in and just experience the love and joy of the day. When you take on too many responsibilities, it is hard to be present, and you could be left wondering if it was all worth it.

Are you worried about wedding planning stress or time management? Afraid you might forget important but often overlooked details? Hiring a wedding coordinator is quite honestly one of the best things you can do to maintain your sanity while wedding planning. You don’t have to do this alone and it doesn’t have to be stressful. So go find yourselves a totally rad wedding coordinator who might just care as much about your wedding as you do!

Erica Greenwold Reisen is the lead planner and designer at Folie à Deux Events. She specializes in authentic, unique events for couples who like to challenge traditions and do their own thing. She is the founder and editor of Secularly Wed, a wedding blog dedicated to meaningful, non-religious wedding planning.

July 10, 2017