Why a ‘Day-of Coordinator’ is Really So Much More Than Just the Day-of

Let me just get real for a minute.

When I have the opportunity to sit down with my brides at their consultations for just day-of coordination, I often get a surprised look (in a good way!) when I tell them what my day-of coordination package really entails. It made me realize that couples planning their wedding may not know what all a day-of coordinator actually does.

Hint: if they’re amazing – it’s so much more than just showing up on the day of your wedding! 

In addition to planning your wedding day, wedding planners (like me!) often include separate day-of coordination and event management packages for brides and grooms who don’t want a full-service planner but know they will need someone to wrap up the details into the pretty bow that is your wedding.

Typically the day-of coordinator role for the wedding day is marketed towards the couple that doesn’t necessarily need a full service wedding planner. They may have done the planning themselves, lined up their vendors on their own, and you may even see their posts on Facebook or Instagram thinking how crafty and amazing they are at their DIY ideas and creations. At the same time, this couple knows that they can’t both star and direct their wedding day. They also know that there are a lot of little things behind the scenes that go into making the day happen. In all seriousness, your day-of coordinator is like a gift from God sent to you for your wedding day. When they walk in a room, I swear you’ll hear angels sing every time. (I call that the Cathy Nugent guarantee!)

Okay, I think I should clarify a little bit, though.

It’s almost impossible for you to both star and direct your own wedding day – and actually enjoy it.

Have you ever hosted a party or event and felt like you worked the whole time rather than enjoying the moments you prepped so hard to make? It’s a day-of coordinator’s job to make sure that you are a guest (better yet, the guest of honor!) at your own dream day. Better yet, their job is to make sure that you’re enjoying every single moment of it! I’m a firm believer that, as the guest of honor, you shouldn’t be bothered with anything on your wedding day. You put so much into preparing for your wedding that you deserve having it stress-free and full of amazing memories.

Your wedding day is the one day that you should be able to sit back and enjoy the huge party that is being held in your honor. The best wedding coordinators make it so that this wish is a reality. I’ll be the first to tell you that, as a wedding planner and coordinator myself, I don’t think I could have had such an amazing day without my coordinator. With the threat of rain on and off my entire day that really juggled timelines, she really took charge to the point of me not knowing anything that went on outside of my bridal suite (and that’s the way it should be!). I fully trusted her with my vision, and she did every thing in her power to take my plans and bring that vision to life.

A common misconception with day-of coordinators: they just show up the day-of and handle it all!

I mean, they do that, but that’s not all they do! I think day-of coordination should really be be referred to as month-of coordination because that’s a more accurate representation of the time that they put into preparing to make your day perfect. Most of the time, it’s even more than that!

Many planners like me are working to make your wedding day perfect way before your actual wedding day with consultations, meetings, and monthly check-ins to make sure your planning is running as smooth as possible. We’re cheerleaders, fully devoted to our brides from the moment they book until their wedding day. We can’t wait to take the plans and vision you’ve given us along the way and tie them into the perfect little bow that is your wedding day. When a bride books with me, I want that couple to rest assured knowing that I am there for them. I’m determined that they remember nothing but how amazing their wedding day was.

Everyone deserves to have their best-day-ever and happily-ever-after.

I’m a firm believer that every couple needs a wedding planner and day-of coordinator for their wedding. However, if you decide to plan your own wedding, still hire a day-of coordinator. Trust me, you’ll thank me a million times after-the-fact for giving you that little nugget of advice! When it comes to your wedding, it’s important to remember that it’s an expensive day and there are no do-overs. Your vendors are an investment, and you need someone who you can trust that is going to take your plans and make them happen.

You’ve spent a lot of time and energy over the past year preparing for your big day, ENJOY IT!