The short answer is “YES.” However, you should ask yourself these questions to determine whether or not you need to hire a wedding coordinator day of, and you won’t regret it.
To have or not to have, that is the question. Day-of wedding coordinators can be the first to go when a couple is trying to cut back on costs, but the budget is not the only factor to consider when deciding whether to have a wedding coordinator… or not. Here are a few questions to consider helping you determine whether or not you need a day-of wedding coordinator.
If you are inviting 50 guests or more for your special day, you should consider a day-of coordinator. The larger the wedding, the more bodies, chairs, tables, meals, and so on there are to manage. This also applies to your wedding party. The more bridesmaids, groomsmen, grandparents, parents, flower girls, and ring bearers there are, the more people there are to keep on schedule. If you’re having a big wedding, a wedding coordinator can help manage and track not only your wedding party and guests but also all of the additional moving parts that come with big celebrations.
If you want your loved ones to be able to fully enjoy the day of your wedding, you may want to enlist the help of a professional. If your family member or friend is acting as your coordinator, they will end up making sure the cake is prepared instead of getting down on the dance floor or chasing down a missing wedding party member instead of being in photos themselves.
There are a lot of people that play an important role for you and yours on your special day, and making sure everyone keeps their wits about them, and knows where to be and when to be there, is a necessary job. When it comes to wrangling the family and party members, A wedding coordinator is trained and equipped to dissolve a myriad of issues, big and small.
Are There Details You Don’t Want to Worry About?
When you picture your Big Day, do you want someone there by your side every step of the way? Someone who can navigate the timeline, coordinate with the vendors, and put out any fires that may arise? A day of wedding coordinator can be just that, and much much more.
Who Will Handle Set-Up and Tear-Down?
The biggest areas in which a wedding coordinator can be helpful are set-up and tear-down. A lot goes into not only creating the space for a wedding, but also making it beautiful, and then taking it all apart. Between just a simple ceremony and reception, set-up requires tables and chairs, a Chuppah or arch, escort and place cards, and the coordination of a number of vendors including the florist, officiant, caterer, musicians, bartenders, technicians, and many, many more.
Set-up and tear-down also require someone to be the first to arrive, sometimes hours or even days before the celebration, and the last one to leave, often hours later than everyone else. Don’t make your special guests or devoted family and friends be the ones picking confetti, or worse, grains of rice, out of the carpet, or folding linens and dumping out vases into the wee hours of the morning.
Will Guests Need Direction on Your Wedding Day?
Direction comes in two forms: Timing and Location. While there are a variety of creative solutions for many location direction issues, a coordinator will keep your wedding on track by getting your guests moving when the time is right. Coordinators hold the keys to the timeline and can begin leading guests in the right direction with the appropriate buffer to ensure they make it there in time, be it for the bride’s walk down the aisle or the couple’s grand entrance.
Is There Room in the Budget?
Professional help comes with a price tag because it has value. It’s important to weigh the cost and benefits to determine whether or not you want to and can hire a professional wedding coordinator. Whether you hire someone or not, someone will need to manage the timeline, your vendors, and your guests on the day, and it can’t be you.
Do your research, and schedule introductory calls with multiple coordinators to not only learn their pricing but also their personality. Be transparent with the coordinator about your budget and see what services possible A lot of coordinators might be will even add or remove services to create a package and price tailored to you and your needs.
While planning your wedding, it can be easy to let money do all the talking. Staying within budget is important, but it shouldn’t make or break the aspects of your wedding that are most meaningful to you and your partner. If you decide you need a wedding coordinator, there are plenty of professionals that offer day-of services at budget-friendly prices.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, are you a person who will experience more peace on your wedding day if you have the help of a coordinator? If so, that’s reason enough to justify hiring a day-of wedding coordinator. Your wedding day should be filled with peace, love, and joy. A wedding coordinator can help you achieve these feelings by putting your mind at ease, giving you room to focus on your partner and the family and friends gathered to celebrate you both, and helping you enjoy the day fully!
