Would you expect a doctor to operate on you without looking at your chart?
Would you expect a lawyer to represent you in court without looking over your case?
Would you expect a builder to build you a building without looking at the blueprint?
Of course not! But that is EXACTLY what you are asking someone to do when you expect them to 'just show up' on your wedding day without at least one meeting to discuss details and your plans.
Why am I bringing this up? I had a bride contact me recently and ask if I was available for Day of Coordination. I responded that I was and explained that my version of Day of Coordination actually begins 4 weeks out from the wedding and includes up to 7 hours of planning time which can be used for anything from attending the final walk through at the venues to vendor meetings to dress fittings. It also includes up to 2 hours on the day of the rehearsal and up to 10 hours on the wedding day.
The bride responded that she had all the details in hand and only needed me for 3-4 hours on the wedding day, no planning time needed. She just wanted someone to show up, set some things out and make sure the day went smoothly. I told her that simply isn't how I work and NO Professional Wedding Coordinator would work that way. Notice I said professional - that is the important word here.
If I were to just show up on a wedding day without any work beforehand, how would I be able to help you take your plans and translate them into reality? How would I know if the florist put the wrong flowers in the centerpiece? How would I know what order the bridesmaids should line up in for the processional? How would I know that that I was supposed to keep your Aunt Judy and Uncle Frank WAY away from each other? How would I know that 4 people who didn't RSVP might show up anyway and we should make sure there is room for them?
Any professional will take the time to make sure that they know your plans, so that they can take all those details and help the day run smoothly. No professional would ever risk their reputation, their client's wedding day or their sanity and work that way. DJs, photographers and videographers generally ask for a final meeting before the wedding or at least a phone conversation to discuss details and they each have just one part of the wedding - why in the WORLD would you expect the coordinator, the person who manages the wedding as a whole and keeps track of all those vendors and details, not to expect the same thing, if not more?!
Just some things to keep in mind and why I think day of is a misnomer - it should involve a LOT more than just the wedding day. If it doesn't, that coordinator isn't a professional and is just playing with your wedding and all the hard work and money that it entails.
[ 4 comments ] ( 46 views ) | permalink
Coco Myles
What to give your bridesmaid choices? Send them here - you pick the color and fabric, they pick the skirt and top. Everyone is happy.
Bookmark Under: Wear
[ add comment ] ( 4 views ) | permalink
Flower and Plant Association
I advocate going into meetings with vendors prepared - take pictures of what you like to the florist. This site is a great place to start your research - you can find out what flowers are in season for your wedding, what flowers will match your colors, even what scent each flowers gives. Huge amount of info just a click away.
Bookmark Under: Know
[ add comment ] ( 17 views ) | permalink
Minimus
A great site for stocking that wedding day emergency kit. I also get mini packs of Advil here to slip in the out of town welcome bags - hangovers beware!
Bookmark Under: Covet
[ add comment ] ( 8 views ) | permalink
Wine Matcher
I am by no means an expert on wine but luckily, there are sites like this to help people like me! Not sure what wine to serve with those scallops in cream sauce? Click here and problem solved - awesome site for planning wine pairings for your reception.
Bookmark Under: Know/Yum
[ add comment ] ( 6 views ) | permalink
Pink Cake Box
An amazing baker in NJ who posts tons of photos of her fabulous work - lots of eye candy, lots of great ideas and it all looks completely yummy to me!
Bookmark Under: Stalk
[ 1 comment ] ( 19 views ) | permalink
I always joke that my life is full of moms because of my line of work!
In my extended family, I have over 4 years of Mothers of the Bride and Mothers of the Groom as well as various Grandmothers sprinkled in! Add to that my clients who are already moms when they get married and those who become moms after the wedding.
In my immediate family, I am blessed with the most wonderful mom in the world, awesome grandmas and a great mother in law as well.
Really special this year is that it is my very first Mother's Day and I get to be mom to Ellie which is pretty much the best job in the whole world.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and soon to be moms out there! Hope you have a wonderful day!
[ add comment ] ( 8 views ) | permalink
Save on Crafts
I am going to give my readers the benefit of the doubt and guess that you can figure out the gist of this site. :)
Bookmark Under: Create/Decorate
[ add comment ] ( 6 views ) | permalink
Blue Orchid Designs
One of my favorite blogs - Liene always has great advice and eye candy for your viewing pleasure! And she is just a snazzy person to boot - the whole package!
Bookmark Under: Stalk
[ add comment ] ( 8 views ) | permalink
DIY Bride
Run by the fabulous author of the book by the same name, this blog and discussion board is a great source of DIY projects for your wedding!
Bookmark Under: Create/Stalk
[ add comment ] ( 9 views ) | permalink
Calendar
