Do you really need a day-of coordinator?
It is the most common question asked in the initial consultation. Here is the difference:
Venue Coordinator
Venue coordinators are individuals managing the property the day of your event. They will assist vendors with electrical, plumping, or property logistic questions. These individuals will not manage your timeline, program, or personal requests in regards to toast refills or before aisle prep. Those are all day of coordinator responsibilities.
Caterer Coordinator
Caterer coordinators are the go-to for knowing how much. They are incredible when it comes to deciding how much chicken, fish, vegetables or sides are needed. Come the day of your wedding, they are 100% in charge of their catering staff team. They ensure your guests are properly fed and hydrated. These individuals will not manage your timeline, program, or personal requests in regards to toast refills or before aisle prep. Those are all day of coordinator responsibilities.
Day of Coordinator
These individuals may vary. They can be the coordinator for the couples who have planned their own weddings but would like to sit back on the wedding day. Or they can be an individual who played a large part in the wedding planning process and now hold the day of coordinator role. The day of coordinator will be in charge of seamlessly running your wedding from start to finish. This is the point of contact for all timelines, programing, and personal requests.
Wedding Planner
A wedding planner is a catch-all for a number of roles. Ensure you know your wedding planner’s contracted roles. This individual is in charge of all wedding planning anywhere from 24 months out to the day of. They manage everything from venue selection to catering to day-of coordination and staffing. They are a fantastic option for couples who only want to make the final decisions. How hands-on your wedding planner is will be determined from the beginning of this process.
The answer to this question comes down to how much responsibility you want on your wedding day. For best used time with family, friends, and your fiancé, I’d say yes, you really do need a day of coordinator.