Typically, weddings are fast-paced events. They’re unpredictable and can easily become chaotic and out-of-hand. Each wedding is completely unique and comes with its own set of unique quirks and challenges. If you’re not fully prepared, your special day will be filled with questions like, “Who is going to start the iPod® for the processional? When and where will the wedding day vendors eat? Who will gather our guests for the sparkler send off?”
You should not have to spend your wedding day worrying about these details. If the venue you’re considering offers the services of a venue coordinator, you need to be aware of the differences between that and a wedding day planner.
Generally, though each venue is different, a venue coordinator will spend the day making sure things go smoothly for you overall—things particularly related to the venue. They will direct vendors where to go upon arrival. They will check coats, greet and guide guests to ceremony sites. They may also assist with your decor setup and tear down. A venue coordinator will ensure that no one is breaking their rules.
Wedding Day Planner
At the same time, venue coordinators do not usually coordinate the actual wedding day. If you really want someone to keep all of the hassles out of your hair, you need to enlist the services of a wedding day planner. They will be on hand to know when the cake is arriving, who should sit where, and when to tell the DJ to open the dance floor. They will be ready to keep the day on schedule according to the well-thought-out timeline. And, if need be, they will get you back on track when something goes awry.
I highly recommend having a wedding day planner. They will know how to safely navigate through any issue that comes up… like when the officiant is running 30 minutes late to your ceremony… or the weather suddenly calls for an unexpected torrential downpour just moments before you’re to walk down the aisle… or one of the buildings on your venue’s property catches on fire during your reception. You pay a wedding day planner to deal with these problems so you can truly enjoy your wedding. If your wedding day planner is really good, you will never even know these problems existed until after your wedding day.
If you and your mom want to have time to sip on mimosas, giggle with girlfriends, visit with guests, reapply your lipstick and powder your nose, eat dinner sitting down at a table, and actually be able to remember what happened on your wedding day, then hire a wedding planner. You’ll be thankful that you did. I promise. It will definitely be part of your wedding budget you won’t regret spending.
The post, Do You Need a Wedding Day Planner?, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.
