I've been asked often whether I am a coordinator or not. After Diane, from Delicate Designs, wrote this blog I asked if I could feature it for all of our couples. This helps outline what the difference from having a site coordinator (which would be those of us at Still Water Hollow) vs. having a Wedding Coordinator is. I've also asked Diane to come to the venue this Thursday during our Open Venue time for those booked with us. She'll be on hand from 5:00pm-7:00pm. She is going to help answer any questions you might have regarding Wedding Coordination, decoration and more. This would be a great time for you to meet her and find out how valuable she could be on your big day. I've truly always regretted not hiring a Wedding Coordinator for my wedding. Everything that went poorly could have been prevented if I had known about Diane and Dawn. What I didn't realize is how realistic it was for my budget. I always imagined having a coordinator meant that you have a large budget, but I've learned that is not the case.
For now, enjoy Delicate Designs guest blog post and plan to come out and speak with her in person this Thursday, April 25th from 5-7pm.
Brianne Gray
Brides are you often conflicted when understanding the difference between the roles and responsibilities of a site coordinator and a wedding coordinator?? Are you concerned that you may be paying twice the amount for the same service? Well that is a legitimate concern, but may not be entirely true. Let me help explain why.
Site Coordinator vs. Wedding Coordinator
A Site Coordinator is responsible for your venue or location. They ensure all employees are informed of your wedding and reception details; such as the set up crew, kitchen staff, wait staff, bartenders, cleaning crew, maintenance team, etc. Their main goal is to ensure the facility runs smoothly. They focus on doing their job to ensure prompt service from the catering of dinner to the bartending. An on-site coordinator may not be required to do certain things, such as facilitate your rehearsal, in which case, a bride and groom may be left feeling uneasy and insecure. An on-site coordinator’s job description has boundaries, but a wedding planner’s duties are next to unlimited. At the end of the day, an on-site coordinator is there to represent the property, but not necessarily the bride and groom themselves.
A Wedding Coordinator may begin services just prior to the wedding date and perform services after the vendors and venue are hired by the bridal couple. Their role is to manage all details the bride and groom have spent months planning to make sure everything comes together exactly as the couple imagined. Having a coordinator allows the couple, wedding party, family members and guests to enjoy their special day without the stress. The wedding coordinator will work with the site coordinator on these details as well. Their duties may extend beyond those for the day-of the wedding. A planner will work with the couple for up to a year before the big day helping with everything from design creation, budget management, stationary/invitations, wedding etiquettes, vendor booking and suggestions, and contract negotiation or review along with coordinating everything the day of the wedding. A wedding planner is there to help reduce stress by managing and organizing all the details from start to finish with a “day of” timeline which includes the details of the ceremony and reception. This is a great option for couples that want assurance that they are hiring reliable vendors and getting the most for their budget or have demanding busy lifestyles and schedules.
Hiring a wedding planner/coordinator to help with your wedding day is so worth the fee. It is so much more than creating a color scheme, working with family to load gifts, or cutting the cake; we are there for you and the other vendors to help create a memorable day. Your wedding planner will be there every step of the way, making sure you’re getting not only what your venue’s contract states, but what all of your vendors’ contracts state. Your wedding planner/ coordinator is as committed and passionate about your wedding as you are. Interview your on-site coordinator well, identify exactly what their duties include, and hire a wedding planner to pick up where the on-site coordinator leaves off and to fill in any blanks.
Here are a few more reasons to hire a wedding planner/coordinator:
- Can convert your vision into a reality.
- Facilitate both the rehearsal and the ceremony.
- Guarantee that you make the most informed decision when signing a contract and hiring a vendor.
- Help you SAVE MONEY!!
- Has a “game face’ that is almost invincible, you’ll never see them sweat.
- Mediate and manage vendors, guests & all the details.
- Your buffer to problems and issues, they shield you.
- Will look out for you, even when dealing with family.
- Works under extreme pressure at time; there are NO “do-overs” on your big day.
- There is a lot of fast paced and running around done behind the scenes, to help you.
- Truly cares about your wedding day and making sure you have ALL your personal touches and special moments that you have pulled together in your planning. You want your planner to take that kind of “ownership”, yet without taking OVER the day and making it theirs.
- Ensure that your special day runs smoothly ~ timeline management & troubleshooting
- Are VERY ORGANIZED.
- Are a resource of knowledge, a sounding board for decisions, and a stress reducer!
We would love to hear your feedback, thoughts or questions.
Happy stress free planning!
