We totally get it. Weddings are expensive. For many couples, every cent is stretched and then some. Ways to maximize the wedding budget is a common interest among the vast majority of brides. Hiring a wedding planner simply is not an option for some. Many couples look to friends and family to help execute their big day, and there is no shame in that. However, when it comes to the role of the day of coordinator, and the level of involvement it requires, asking your bestie - we will call her Sally - who you know to be an organized person, would never say “no,” to accept that responsibility… is more risky than you think.

The Day of Coordinator is a highly involved role whose duties should begin no later than 60 days out. This person is responsible for ensuring your Wedding Day runs smoothly by keeping track of, and enforcing your timeline, coordinating your vendors, directing your guests at the venue, and handling any last minute issues that may arise. This person is a couple’s biggest support system on the day of their wedding.

Getting back to Sally… she believes she is prepared, she is organized. However, despite her best intentions she is not a professional, and was not experienced in what to do should the wedding timeline fall 30 minutes behind. She did not consider the fact that she still had to get dressed and ready at some point before the ceremony. She unfortunately never made it out to the venue for her own due diligence, and as a result had to scramble to orient herself. The original crew of friends and family that promised to help with setup and decor, shifted throught the morning and into the afternoon, and she found herself running out of time. The wedding had yet to begin, and Sally was stressed, and frazzled. Overwhelmed, Sally frets to you (bride), as you sit getting your makeup done, unable to do anything at this point.

Having been in this position before, I can tell you there is nothing worse than feeling like the execution of one of the most special days of your life, is falling apart, and having to accept a lesser experience than what you envisioned on your wedding day . By allocating a piece of your budget to hiring a professional Day of Coordinator, you greatly reduce the risk of having a stressful wedding day experience, a value that is priceless in our opinion. While Sally did her best, and seemed like a great opportunity to save on an already maxed budget, her limited experience (at no fault of Sally’s) caused your wedding day to be filled with more anxieties than you would have anticipated.

Brides … protect your peace of mind on your wedding day at all costs. It matters. Take the time to do the research and hire a professional Day of Wedding Coordinator that you can feel confident in. Your center pieces may be less elaborate. You may choose to lose an appetizer or a side from your catering menu. However, your guests will live without the potatoes, but their experience will still have been better under a practiced day of coordinator. Most importantly, you will look back on your Wedding Day with more joyful memories.