Weddings are an orchestra of many different instruments, and by instruments I mean duties, jobs and tasks! In order for the wedding day to be a success, all of these things must come to together, on a certain timeline. If one of the balls get dropped, or if the time of an event contradicts what the photographer is planning, things won’t go the way they were planned. These duties and events range from lighting candles on the reception tables, transitioning guests from one space to another, making sure the bride and groom have been able to cram down a few bites of dinner before asking them to cut the cake, facilitating a rehearsal with the wedding party, or lighting sparklers for the sendoff. We all know weddings don’t just happen, it requires a lot of planning, coordination, and a little bit of magic! I happen to feel like a good day-of-coordinator is the needed "magic" to make it all come together.
The day-of-coordinator does not have an easy job, it is hard work. He or she usually shows up when the photographer arrives at the venue, and sometimes this can be MANY hours before the actual ceremony time. The day-of-coordinator runs from one room to another making sure everything is going according to the plan and timeline, while also keeping unwanted guests and family members out of the bridal suite, per the bride's request of course! He or she keeps the special “moments” moving like first dances and cake cutting, which is very important on wedding day. If a reception is running long between “moments”, guests tend to grow bored and leave - this means they won’t be present for that long-awaited sendoff picture. When you have that aunt and uncle who just divorced and there is still tension, your day-of-coordinator is the person who is made aware and ensures that no drama happens at the wedding. This is the magic I spoke of…nobody wants Aunt Sally and Uncle Bobby throwing mashed potatoes at each other across the reception table that they were not SUPPOSED to both be sitting at together.
Bride and grooms (let’s be honest, mostly brides) have spent months, if not years, planning their wedding day. That day-of-coordinator is sort of the icing on the cake….the cake will still be good, but the day-of-coordinator is the icing giving that cake a little extra layer of sweetness and holding it all together. If you don’t have a strong, organized person in your life that can handle the job (someone not a part of your wedding ceremony of course), then don’t be cheap, hire a coordinator. Many of your wedding venues will have an in-house coordinator (I do!!) that can be hired. Hire one! Trust me, you won't regret it!
Until next time....
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