Dear Brides:
Many of you may wonder, what is the difference between all these "coordinators" Also, if you have a reception or church "coordinator" then why should you need a wedding coordinator or consultant? Please read my article so that you can get a better understanding of the different vendors and their duties on your wedding day. In addition, having a better understanding of the way people get paid is important in your decision making. In many instances all the "coordinators" serve their purpose and work together in collaboration but not in lieu of.
*"Free" Wedding Coordination Services:
Some brides have told me that they get a free wedding coordinator with their "package" I've learned that there is no such thing as a "free lunch" These coordinators typically are provided through an incentive payment. Which means, they get a percentage of the package that you purchase from the vendors that they refer you to. The vendors will typically raise their prices to cover the amount for the referral fee. So in the end, your "free" service may end up costing you more money than hiring an independent consultant. Also, many reputable vendors will not participate in this, so you may be missing out on a lot of great vendors that fits your style and budget.
*Ceremony Site Coordination:
Usually a church, synagogue, or wedding site will hire a ceremony site coordinator in order to enforce the rules for their site. These coordinators are great to work in conjunction with a wedding consultant to make sure that everything flows smoothly. Otherwise, these coordinators are not concerned with anything that occurs before you walk down the aisle, nor after the ceremony.
* Reception Site Coordinator:
This is the salesperson who works in the catering or sales office at the venue. They are not trained wedding consultants. They ensure things that you ordered through them are in place and that the set up and the service during the reception runs smoothly. The referrals they provide are typically a list of companies that have done weddings there but their references are not checked. These coordinators is a critical role for working in conjunction with your wedding consultant, but they do not spend time creating a detailed time line for you nor do they look out for your budget or give you any advice on proper etiquette.
*Catering
Reputable caterers are wonderful to work with as far as the service they provide your guests, and the timing of when the food is served. They typically follow the time line that a wedding consultant has prepared as when to serve dinner, alcohol, and cake. They do not handle the details of your wedding or the decor.
*Wedding Consultant
A professional wedding consultant has your best interest at heart. Their main goal is to walk you through every step of the wedding process. They are a true investment in your wedding because not only will they help you negotiate the contracts and prices with the vendors, they keep you on track, and organized. They work with your budget to help you create a design to your wedding but at the same time provide you with realistic expectations. They work with your vendors and refer reputable vendors that fit your style and budget. They are your trusted advisor when it comes to the business side of wedding planning, but they will become your right hand during times when everything seems overwhelming. Just be sure you hire a consultant that you "click" with and are honest about their fees. Some consultants may collect referral fees from vendors, which brings us back to the issue that you may face for a "free" wedding coordinator.
