Honestly, You might start reading this and automatically think this is a biased article because I am a wedding planner. However, I will be honest. Dare I say it, Blunt!
Since Most Eventful offers linen and decor rentals, I sometimes work events where I deliver the linens only and I am not working as a planner or coordinator. That is where I see the behind-the-scenes of what a wedding or event looks like without a coordinator. I run across couples often who say: “My mom or best friend will coordinate for me." OR “My wedding party will assist with setting up and tear down.”
I am going to be very honest here.
If your guests are working on the day of your wedding, then they are just that... Working. They are not enjoying it. I also see situations where a friend is enjoying the wedding too much and forgets they have tasks to do.
Often I see the mother of the bride running all over the place and taking on the stress herself. Just recently, I was delivering linens when I overheard the mother of the bride crying. I went to console her, she was venting about how she just could not everywhere at once and find time to get ready.
I get that!
Maybe giving you a breakdown of what an actual wedding day looks like might help you determine whether or not you need a coordinator.
08:30 am - Double Espresso
09:00 am - Send Bride & Groom Happy Wedding Day Message
09:30 am- Arrive at the venue
10:00 am- Welcome hair and makeup team
10:15 am- Set aside details box and flatly for photographers
10:30 am- Begin setting up small decor details- Chargers, welcome sign, guest book
11:00 am- Pause to welcome photographers and walk them around the venue
11:15 am- Continue Setting up
Noon- Welcome the DJ and show her where and how to set up the venue sound system
12:30 pm- Call catering to ensure there will be no issues with arriving on time
1:00 pm- Finish details for the ceremony area
1:30 pm- Finish details to cocktail are
2:00 pm- Make sure the groom and groomsmen arrive at the venue and show them to the groom's suite
2:15 pm- check with the photographer and assist with getting ready photos
3:00 pm- make sure groomsmen are all dressed and set for groom photos
3:30 pm- Assist with father-daughter first look- gathering photographers and family
04:00 pm- Assist with Bride and groom first touch
04:30 pm- Hide bride and groom
05:00 pm- Line up the bridal party and go over the final ceremony order details
05:15 pm- Confirm photographer and DJ are prepared for the ceremony to start
05:30 pm- Cue Ceremony
05:40 pm- Start lighting all the candles in the reception area
06:00 pm- assist with bridal party photos
06:30 pm- Usher all the guests into the reception area
06:50 pm- Line up the bridal party for the grand entrance
07:00 pm- Grand Entrance- Confirm Dj and photographers are prepared for the first dance
07:20 pm- Ensure the father of the bride is ready to pray over the meal
07:30 pm- Dinner is served- dismiss tables by numbers
08:00 pm- Check on Bride and groom
08:15 pm- Check on catering and Bartenders- Ice levels
08:30 pm- Prepare the photographer, DJ, and the couple for cake cutting
08:40 pm- ensure the catering team cuts and distributes the cake
09:00 pm- Gather those who are giving speeches
09:30 pm- Get photographer, DJ, and couple prepared for water and bouquet toss
10:00 pm - Check on gifts and make sure they are safely put away in the designated car
10:15 pm- Prepare the send-off items (sparklers) and gather the venue manager and security
10:30 pm- have the DJ announce the last group dance
10:45 pm- Ensure DJ and photographer are prepared for the private last dance
10:50 pm- Ensure bags are in the send-off vehicle
10:50 pm- Line up guests and hand off sparklers
10:55 pm- Light Sparklers
11:00 pm - Sparklers send-off
11:15 pm- Ensure friends and family know duties for venue clean up
Wow, that’s a lot!
Well, at least it can be a lot if you do not have someone designated to take care of all the behind-the-scenes details.
It is not just set up and tear down that can take a lot of work. The ceremony and reception have many moving pieces to take care of.
Is it time for the first dance?
Is the best man ready to give his speech?
You have done all the planning leading up to the big day. Consider handing off the reigns to a wedding coordinator. You should enjoy your wedding day.
How much does a wedding coordinator cost for the day?
Visit my website to view the packages offered!
XOXO, Genesis