Day of Wedding Coordinator

April 17, 2007 10:08 AM

What should we expect from a "day of" wedding planner?

My fiancee and I have gotten all of our vendors lined up, sent out invitations, and taken care of our attire. We want somebody who is going to handle dealing with all the details on the day of the wedding so that we can focus on getting married.

What sort of duties are typical for a "day of" coordinator? Should we pay a package price or an hourly price? Are there typical hidden costs that we wouldn't know to ask about?

posted by Joey Michaels to human relations (5 comments total)

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. Your families and friends will be so grateful, even if they don't know it.

I met with my day-of for the first time at our rehearsal. We emailed a few times back and forth before that. I asked her what I could expect from her and how she is to be paid. We paid one fee for the rehearsal and wedding/reception.

She ran the rehearsal-- make sure you get one who will be feisty and put bossy family members in their place if they get all controlling.

Then on the wedding day she took care of every detail. I had sent her a play-by-play of the day-- the ceremony, pictures, reception, etc. so she made sure there was communion stuff for us, the placecards were on the tables, etc. She worked closely with my florist-- make sure yours talk to each other, and let the florist know that your day-of planner has the final say.

I could go on and on-- email's in my profile.
posted by orangemiles at 10:25 AM on April 17, 2007

The day of coordinator should handle set up and making sure everything is in the right place at the right time while dealing with vendor issues that might come up so that the bride and groom don't have to. Some typical duties would be:
- Setting up flowers and programs at the ceremony location
- Setting up flowers, decorations, escort cards, favors, guest book, etc. at the reception venue.
- Contacting vendors with day-of issues (for example, what if the cake is late?)
- Coordination transportation: limos for briday party, guest shuttles
- Packing some food for the bride and groom to eat once the reception is over and they are back in the hotel room

The difference between the package and the hourly rate would probably depend on the length of your wedding and reception. I would ask for prices for both and definitely get references from former clients.
posted by elvissa at 10:31 AM on April 17, 2007

It's a great idea. It will remove so much stress the day of.

We had a friend willing to do this for us gratis who we referred to as the "Wedding Czar." She did all the things described above as well as directing and corral-ing members of the family and the wedding party.

It definitely would have been worth paying for. As for how much, just use the same caution you would use contracting for any service.
posted by MasonDixon at 12:11 PM on April 17, 2007

IF:

It's a big wedding

There are meddlesome family, or

the caterer and florist don't seem like they know what they're doing and how to work together.

Then it might be a good idea. If it's a smaller affair, and if the caterer and florist and so on know one another and work together, a day-of planner will just be getting in the way.

posted by Mr. Gunn at 3:19 PM on April 17, 2007

I am a Wedding Co-ordinator, and provide services that are bespoke to the individuals. It varies from about £50.00 for on day.

It is definately worth having for piece of mind that everything is set up as it should be and all suppliers are co-ordinated on the day.

If you require further details, please email me on
[e-mail]

Good Luck and Congratulations!
posted by LM at 12:28 AM on April 23, 2007