April Whitney, formerly with April Whitney Events offers advice for Brides and Grooms...
Q: Is it possible to have a wedding without a Planner or Coordinator?
A: Absolutely! Hundreds of thousands of weddings go off every year without Wedding Planners. The difference is...
-how much you will work before, during and after the event
-how much frustration you will experience
-how much time you will have to spend learning about what is available
-how much research you will need to do to find reasonable pricing of goods & services
-how many problems you will encounter
-whether or not you will stay within your budget
-how much you, your family and friends will work the day of your wedding
-whether or not you will be plagued by questions and problems throughout the day
-how the event will flow overall and how much you will enjoy the process
Q: Do some Brides and Grooms need a Wedding Planner more than others?
A: Yes. Couples who really need and deserve a great Wedding Planner are those who...
-work full time jobs or are in school vs. those with lot’s of free time
-live in another city or are planning a destination wedding
-have parents or wedding party who live in other cities
-are having a “home” wedding or a wedding at a location where you bring everything in such as caterer and rentals
-want to relax and enjoy the process as well as the big day
-want their event to have design elements; creative touches that stand out above the rest
Q: Will the Wedding Planner "take over" and not allow us to contribute our ideas?
A: A great Wedding Planner will not take over. Rather, a great Wedding Planner is a partner in the planning process, helping to inform you, educate you, guide you - to make sure that it is your vision that comes to life!
Q: What if we have already done all the work planning the event?
A: Instead of a Wedding Planner, you can hire "Day of" Wedding Coordinator. This is the best gift you can give yourselves for the day of your event. A great Wedding Coordinator will...
-take care of any problems that arise throughout the day
-carry an emergency kit and do all of the things you would do if you weren’t busy getting married
-confirm your vendors
-direct your rehearsal
-track down the limousine
-pin on boutonnieres
-get water
-oversee set up
-manage your vendors
-answer questions
-shield you from little problems
-take care of you and calm your nerves
And that’s just before the ceremony!
In addition to getting you down the aisle, a great Wedding Coordinator will...
-oversee set up of the reception
-set up place cards, set out favors
-make sure the cake is set up properly
-tuck menu cards in to napkins
-place table numbers
-double check assigned seating
-manage the entire location
-get you and your wedding party ready for your Grand Entrance
And that’s before the reception!
A great Wedding Coordinator will...
-oversee the flow of the entire reception
-answer questions
-give cues to the entertainment so that the photographer & videographer are ready to capture the next event
-cue toast makers
-set you up for and assist in your cake cutting
-find your comfortable pair of shoes when your feet get tired
-make sure all of your plans are carried out
-keep your vendors following the itinerary
-keep the event flow on time and in accordance with vendor & venue contracts
-make sure that the entertainment is playing the right song for the first dance
-keep you informed throughout the event of what is coming up next
-keep you abreast of bar costs
-load gifts to your car
-pack up all of your personal items such as guest book, cake knife, toasting glasses etc…
Phewwww....
So, to answer your question...Yes, you can have a wedding without a Wedding Planner...but do you really want to? It is your one day to shine. Do you want to remember what a great job you did or what a wonderful time you had?
