So what does a wedding day of coordinator actually do…. And why you need one!
Hello!
Charlotte here!
So, I get asked a lot by suppliers, brides, grooms, mothers of the bride, my next door neighbour (!), what do you actually do as a wedding day of coordinator? I get the same question as a wedding planner too (more on that in a few weeks!), but I never mind answering this question because I get to set the record straight as to what I do!
It's not quite Jennifer Lopez in the Wedding Planner (great film but not too realistic!), essentially on a wedding day I give you the gift of time:
If you are the couple you can get ready without worry and you don’t have to set anything up
If you are the couple’s family, you are safe in the knowledge that everything is taken care of and you can spend time with your family on the wedding day
If you are a guest, you are attending a well organised wedding with a couple who are happy, full of laughs and joy ready to spend their day with you
If you are a supplier, you will be able to arrive, set up and do what you do so well in an organised environment with a happy couple!
I could give you a really (and I mean really) long list of what a day of coordinator does but that would be one long post! So instead this is a shortened and kind of typical version of what a day in the life of a wedding coordinator involves on a wedding day:
(NB. every wedding is different so this is just an example!)
I arrive at the wedding venue and firstly meet up with the venue coordinator (a good venue coordinator always makes for a great wedding day!), we have a chat about the venue, any fire procedures and if I haven’t been able to get to the venue prior to the wedding day, venue coordinators usually like to give me a quick tour (I do love a good tour!)
I will then go through my timeline for the day (agreed previously with the clients as part of their final details meeting one month before) and based on what the client needs I will start set up, welcoming suppliers and helping them as they arrive, (my couples will usually give me pictures of the venue and centrepieces etc so I can create their day.) exactly how they wish
Once guests start to arrive I make sure people are sticking to any guidelines (who sits where and there are spaces at the front for family)
Then it's about welcoming the couple, one half usually arrives before the other and I can support them as they enter, show them the space if they wish and orchestrate the start of the ceremony
After the ceremony is over guests and the couple will usually head to the drinks reception and if any group photos take place the photographer and I will work together to arrange this
If your venue space requires a ‘flip’ (for example changing the ceremony space to a place where everyone can eat), we usually do this during the drinks reception
I will then speak with suppliers and work to the timeline before me and members of the couple’s party usher guests towards food! While you eat, I usually will start setting up for evening entertainment
Once the evening entertainment is underway I liaise with suppliers and make sure they are happy as by this time certain suppliers (like the photographer/videographer etc) will be done for the day. I’ll also ensure your evening guests are happy and if you have evening food make sure that is served on time
As the evening winds down I will start the take down process so that by the time the wedding venue says it is time for us to leave, everything is all ready to be taken away or stored until the next day. The couple leave and then I allow myself a little sit down to reflect on an awesome day!
As I say, not an exhaustive list of what I do on a wedding day, but hopefully it will put it into context a little! Do you need one? Well I’m biased but I think someone coordinating your wedding day as I mentioned earlier, gives you a worry free, scheduled day with the time to spend with your family and friends!
Do you need any support and coordination for your wedding day? Do get in touch with me to see how I can help - hello@charlottesuzanneweddings.co.uk
Speak soon!
Charlotte