Is a day-of coordinator really worth it?

Listen, from someone who has recently been married in the last 5 years, I know how expensive weddings are and can be. From gifts to your wedding party, asking them to be a bridesmaid/groomsman, to the bach parties, and wedding showers, rehearsal dinners… and that’s not even for the wedding day itself!

When it comes to choosing what are absolutes for a wedding day and things you might be able to skimp on or just not include all together - one of those happens to be the day-of coordinator. Although, this is a vendor that often isn’t a first thought in most couples minds when planning a wedding, but for those who think of it early enough can really get the most benefit from having one!

A day-of coordinator is there for the couple, anything and everything they need during the wedding day (and somethings that become unexpected). From assisting in creation of the timeline for the day, to vendor communications - making sure everyone arrives at there expected time, to all the final detail touches that may (or may not) be going to plan. So think of this… you’re in the bridal suite, getting your hair and makeup done with your girls - blasting music, drinking mimosas, taking pictures and someone comes knocking on the door saying “the florist is here with all the florals ready to unload the ceremony arrangements, bouquets, reception table decor….”- lets call this interruption #1. Ok back to hair and makeup … 45 minutes later “cake delivery is here” …. 30 minutes after that, “the catering team is here ready to start setting up the cocktail hour appetizers”

And just like that there has been 3 different interruptions while you are having a relaxing afternoon with your bridesmaids that requires some sort of “stop what you’re doing and figure this out” sort of decision. And let’s just HOPE that you aren’t behind on schedule! Hair and makeup can be the one thing that can take the longest and totally put the timeline off track.

Luckily, that’s where the day-of coordinator comes in - before any of those interruptions even have a chance of happening, its already been taken care of. The coordinator is there, already knowing when those vendors are arriving so they are there to greet them as they pull into the venue. There’s no decision even needing to be made, because it’s already been planned for. Ceremony arrangements - yep, we know exactly where they need to go; cake - yep, got it, cocktail hour appetizers - yep, tables are already set up and ready for placement.

And the hair and makeup going 20 minutes behind? Doesn’t sound like a big deal, until you realize everything else that is going on during set up, and you’re sitting in the makeup chair coordinating everyone’s schedule and pondering decisions for another 10 minutes.

That’s where the coordinator steps in - they will meet with the photographer, make a few adjustments behind the scenes, and just like that, the schedule is back on track without the bride even knowing.

Staying on schedule is what I strive to do. Yes unexpected things can happen, but that’s the beauty of being a day-of wedding coordinator, being able to pivot, make quick decisions and being that go-to person to ensure all gets taken care of without it ever causing interruptions. The bride and groom deserve to have a relaxing day with their friends and family. With all the decisions that have to be made during wedding planning up to this point, they deserve to not be bothered with even more decisions when it comes to the big day.

The coordinator isn’t there because something is going to go wrong. They’re there because the bride or groom doesn’t need to be the person who handles it when something does.

So, is a day-of wedding coordinator really worth it?

I think the better question is: what is your peace of mind worth?

Your wedding day will be filled with hundreds of little details, questions, decisions, and moving pieces. Most of them won't be major problems, but that's exactly the point. You shouldn't have to spend your wedding day noticing, solving, or delegating those little things.

Your job is to get ready with your favorite people - Play the music. Sip the mimosa. Laugh until you cry. Take in the moment. Get excited to marry your person.

Let someone else worry about whether the chairs are in the right place, the florist knows where to go, the DJ has what they need, or the timeline is running a few minutes behind.

Because when you hire a day-of coordinator, you're not just hiring someone to fix problems, you’re hiring someone to make sure those problems never make their way to you. And on a day you've spent so much time, energy, and money planning, that kind of peace of mind can be priceless.

For additional blog material, read “Finding The Right Vendors” for your next read.