First things first, what’s the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator? A wedding planner is typically someone who is full-service and is with you through the majority of the wedding planning process. Where a wedding coordinator is typically known for helping the bride with her needs on the day of the wedding and ensures everything runs smoothly. This is for the bride who has done most of the planning herself, but needs support the day of the wedding. Now that you know the difference what’s the importance of a wedding coordinator?
I had a little bit of a hybrid coordinator, she really took on a lot of the responsibility 6-weeks prior to the wedding. She helped coordinator all communication with vendors and timelines, however, I planned a majority of the wedding. She helped to look over contracts and helped me get the best rate. She also set everything up the day of the wedding and let me relax and enjoy it.
She was also a HUGE help with my father. I lucked out because my wedding planner, Pam, was a long time family friend and was able to be real with my dad and say, “Look, Billy, Angela is not being outrageous and it’s going to be more money than we expected.”
Of course, wedding planners are a HUGE stress reliever, but the number one reason I recommend investing in a wedding coordinator/planner is to help with relationships. On the day of the wedding, tensions are high and people are stressed. If as a bride, I would have told my mother or mother in law I didn’t like something or maybe someone needs to be asked to leave there are a lot more emotion and sensitivity surrounding it. There is a big possibility that relationships can be broken and feelings could get hurt coming from me. On the other hand, if the wedding planner/coordinator were to say something people will likely disconnect it from you and at the end of the day the guest or family member might say, “Wow, her wedding planner was so rude.” The wedding planner doesn’t have to live with your family/new family for the rest of their life…you do!
Yes, they are expensive but definitely worth it. If there is one thing I would invest in time and time again it would be a good wedding planner/coordinator. Not only did she help keep relationships intact with friends and family, she helped organize and communicate with all the vendors, she helped with budget, she helped with the setup and so much more!
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