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WEDDING PLANNER VS. FAMILY MEMBER – WHO TO CHOOSE TO ORGANIZE YOUR WEDDING DAY

It may be tempting to allow a friend or family member to jump in and organize your wedding day, but it’s a prospect paved with a lot of potential pitfalls. Those who have never organized a wedding may not be aware of how many moving parts are involved in the process, and how much there is to take into account.

Today we’re going to examine whether it’s a good idea to allow a family member to take on these duties, or whether it’s best to hire a seasoned professional. The answer may be more complex than you think!

#5) YOUR WEDDING ATTENDANCE DOESN’T DICTATE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Often times, a friend or family member will volunteer to organize your wedding based solely on the notion that they’ve been to many in the past. The mistaken belief is that wedding attendance somehow makes this person an expert in the field.

Unfortunately, most of what goes into organizing a wedding happens behind the scenes, often months in advance. A wedding guest will only see the culmination of this hard work, with no idea of what it took to get there. Watching the bridal party burst through the doors to thunderous applause is wonderful, but what about the person coordinating the lineup? Timing is crucial, and any deviation can spell disaster.

#4) TIME IS KING

Speaking of timing, a wedding coordinator knows the difference a few minutes can make on the overall flow of the wedding day. From the ceremony to the reception, there’s a lot going on. 

How much time should be allotted for post-ceremony photography? When should the DJ start playing music? How do you coordinate dinner with the speeches, the first dance and the cake? 

Many believe all these elements fall into place naturally, on their own. Nothing could be further from the truth!

#3) IT’S ALL ABOUT HANDLING PEOPLE

While a family member or friend may think they’re up to the task of delegation, they could end up being swept away in a tidal wave of diplomacy gone awry! From dawn till dusk, there’s a lot of key people who will need to be directed. Makeup and hair stylists, florists, photographers, videographers, caterers and even limo drivers will need to know where they’re supposed to be, and when.

Your loved one may think they can handle this, until they suddenly realize that they’re also in charge of the wedding party, as well. Don’t forget the guests, either! Throughout the course of the night, your loved one may find themselves having to shepherd over a hundred guests to the right location, while keeping an eye out for key individuals such as mom and dad, the best man, or the M.C. There’s bound to be an accident or two in the wings as well, from a damaged wedding cake, to a drunken guest knocking over a table. A wedding coordinator has already run the proverbial gauntlet, and knows just how to handle these situations. Your friend or family member? Perhaps not so much!

#2) IT CAN COST YOU MONEY

We’ve already touched on a few problem areas that can affect your big day, but what about money? Yes, that’s also a factor. It’s the job of a wedding coordinator to actually coordinate, and that directly affects your budget at the same time. Imagine having to deal with unexpected cost overruns or overtime fees imposed by the venue.

Often times, these establishments must work on precise timelines, especially if they’re handling multiple events within the same weekend. Keep in mind that they must be able to clean and tear down the existing setup to prepare for another one. If your friend or family member can’t maintain control of the entire day’s itinerary, there’s going to be trouble.

#1) LET THEM ENJOY THEMSELVES

Many times, a friend or family member may genuinely want to coordinate your wedding because they have your best interests at heart. In their mind, they’ve already planned out the perfect wedding day, and they want nothing more than to see you happy. However, is it really fair to put that responsibility on them?

Your wedding day is one of celebration and importance, and the last thing you want is for a loved one to deal with the pressure of organizing and executing. They should be with you, and enjoying the day alongside you, instead of chasing after people and making sure they’re where they need to be. On the flip-side, if they really are as good as they say, then perhaps you can have it both ways. It all depends on their level of experience.

We hope these tips will help you decide whether to allow a friend or family member to organize your wedding day, or go with a professional wedding coordinator. For more information on booking your next wedding venue, please give us a call! We’d love to hear from you!