Wedding Coordinator versus Venue Coordinator

When I chat to brides about their wedding and I ask if they are looking for a wedding coordinator  and I sometimes get the reply "no my venue has a coordinator." At this point I cringe internally.

Photo by Phat Dog Visuals Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing venue coordinators out there, but that is not the norm. Venue coordinators look at everything from the venues point of view. They will not be chasing if the cake does not show up, they will not be sewing the grooms button on because it fell off before the ceremony. They will not be checking that the dress/hair/makeup looks ok whilst you're having your photo's taken. 

Wedding coordinators are independent from everyone and are solely working for YOU and in YOUR best interests. They will create a timeline of events for your day and communicate it to all of your vendors, they will cue music, speeches, first dance etc. When something doesn't go to plan which happens at most weddings, wedding coordinators are skilled to find solutions or work around the issue to ensure that the day is kept on time. The couple often has no idea until after the day that anything has happened. And that is the job of the wedding coordinator, to ensure this day runs smoothly and you get to enjoy a stress free day! 

Photo by Sawyer Photography If you are starting to plan your wedding, do not assume that every service that your venue suggests is the best thing for you. Just because they are on the venues preferred vendor list, does not mean that they are the right fit for you. Ask questions to your venue coordinator regarding the timeline, cueing music, working with other vendors, managing the vendors, how often can you contact them, will they attend/supervise the rehearsal? All these things are included in a wedding coordinator's package. So do your research and ask the questions.

You are spending thousands and thousands of dollars on your special day, therefore it is so important to find vendors who you are comfortable with and who you feel you can trust to do a great job and take the stress away. 

This is what is included in our standard wedding day coordination package:

• One Wedding Planners certified by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada

• At least one assistant coordinator

• An initial meeting at no cost to you, at a mutually convenient location

• One planning meeting prior to the rehearsal, normally at the venue of the reception 4 weeks before the wedding (usually 2 hrs duration)

• Design an itinerary which once the couple has signed off it is distributed to all vendors involved in the day

• Reviewing all vendor contracts

• Unlimited communication from when you contract our services until your wedding day

• Contacting all vendors to co-ordinate arrivals/set up/take down etc

• Supervision and Direction of Wedding Rehearsal

• Supervision and Execution of Ceremony and reception set up

• On site direction of the Wedding Ceremony and Reception

• Supervision of Photo session

• We will arrive when needed and leave after the last major event (usually after the night table has been laid out)

• Access for you and your guests to our emergency bag, because we are prepared for most situations

Christmas at a planners house!

img_1807-2

Us wedding planners are creative types and we never need an excuse to decorate! Christmas is the time of year to go all out with décor. Last year, I was very taken with the light blue and silver which seemed to be very popular. I like to try something different, and so I did.

I loved the winter feel of the ice blue with the silver.

For Christmas Day, I coordinated the table with the tree.

img_0625

My friends at With All My Heart Wedding Décor did a great job with helping me pick the right chair sashes. They also had the perfect colour napkin holders.

img_0622

The centrepiece was creatively designed by Select Flowers who did a great job bringing to life my vision.

img_0621

This is a great time for those of you who are DIY brides to try out things that you have thought of for your tables.

5 Reasons to hire a wedding planner

1 in 5 couples are hiring a wedding planner as more couples realize the benefits we offer (Weddingbells 2011).  Wedding Planners can do as much or as little as you wish. Some couples plan their own weddings and just hire a planner to coordinate their special day. Couples spend months or longer planning their day, but they want someone oversee all their details whilst they and their family and friends enjoy their day. Here are 5 good reasons to hire a planner :-

1) Off loading the stress of the wedding day onto a professional planner means you are free to enjoy your day.

2) The knowledge and expertise of a wedding planner can often save you valuable time.

3) Wedding planners often have preferred rates with other wedding vendors.

4) Wedding planners often think of things you may have forgotten.

5)  Your family/friends are able to enjoy the single most important day in your life.

If you need any assistance www.perfectplanners.ca