Why You Need (At Least) a Day-Of-Coordinator For Your Wedding

If you’re getting married in 2024 or 2025, there is a good chance you grew up in the early aughts and therefore have seen the movie The Wedding Planner. While I was only the ripe age of six years old when that movie came out, it definitely shaped my opinion on weddings and wedding planning.

Tours of flower markets to pick out the perfect stems and casual strolls through wedding venues with fountains and perfectly trimmed gardens led me to believe that wedding planning was the most glamorous profession on the planet. If I could go back and tell six year old me one thing, it would be that a more accurate depiction of the wedding planning/coordinating profession is the scene where Mary has to sober up the sad and drunk father of the bride. She opens her blazer to reveal a beautifully organized utility belt full of q-tips, breathmints, and krazy glue. To my 29 year old wedding planner eyes, this is definitely the most beautiful scene in the whole movie. 

My emergency kit at Jaybird Events is much more expansive than Mary’s but it is one of the key reasons why couples should hire a wedding planner, or at least a day - of - coordinator, for their wedding. With every wedding I do and every unexpected situation that arises I add another bullet to this list of reasons.

Hiring a professional to make sure that one of the most important days of your life is thoroughly thought out and runs as smoothly as possible is still a controversial topic. I totally get the idea that a coordinator is an area where you can save some money, everyone has access to planning templates and can bring some krazy glue to their venue. What most couples don’t know is that there is so much more work that goes on behind the scenes. 

What Does a Day-Of Wedding Coordinator Do?

Handling Final Details and Wedding Day Coordination

The two months before your wedding are crucial. On top of finalizing details, you'll be managing calls from family, getting your nails done, and keeping up with everyday tasks. A day-of coordinator takes over communication with your venue and vendors, organizes your wedding day timeline, and ensures every piece of decor is in place. This comprehensive wedding day coordination ensures nothing is left to chance.

What Does a Wedding Coordinator Do on the Big Day?

Managing the Wedding Timeline

Without a planner or coordinator, you might not consider the importance of the guestbook placement or the Sip n’ Solve crossword puzzle's location. A good day-of coordinator plans the day down to the minute, ensuring every moment goes off without a hitch and that your ceremony starts on time.

Ensuring You Enjoy Your Meal

A common wedding stereotype is that the couple barely gets to eat on their big day. If I spend thousands on a meal, I better be able to enjoy it! Your coordinator will make sure you don’t go hungry, providing snacks and ensuring your table is positioned to avoid interruptions.

The Wedding Emergency Belt

A good coordinator has a cache of necessary supplies for any situation. From stain remover sticks for bridesmaids to pre-pasted toothbrushes for grooms, a coordinator handles these little things so you can focus on enjoying your day.

Is a Day-Of Wedding Coordinator Worth It?

Taking in every second of your wedding day is crucial because you only have one. The day goes by fast, and you don’t want to worry about logistics. With a good coordinator, you'll wonder how they didn’t cost more considering everything they do. 

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Another wedding stereotype that gets thrown around is that the couple barely get to eat on their wedding day. I don’t know about you but if I spend thousands of dollars on a meal I better be able to lick the plate clean! There are several ways that your wedding coordinator will make sure that you don’t go hungry on your wedding day. When I check on my couples before the ceremony I always have a snack bar in my J-Lo inspired wedding emergency belt. If I ask “have you eaten recently” and the answer is no I will be waiting for you to finish that snack bar before I leave the room. When you go off to sign your marriage license, there will be a plate of food waiting on the table for you. When you sit down for dinner (and you will sit down for dinner) I’ll have made sure your table is positioned so your guests won’t be walking past your table on their way to the buffet. They won’t be able to interrupt you mid bite because they’ll be on the other side of the room! 

Speaking of that wedding emergency belt, a good coordinator will have a cache of all the necessary supplies for any situation that may arise. Not much makes me happier than when a bridesmaid asks if I have a stain remover stick, or when I have a pre-pasted, no water necessary toothbrush for a groom who just drank a beer but is on his way to see his partner for the first time that day. You need a coordinator because you shouldn’t have to think about how to clean your glasses after you get rained on during your first look, your coordinator will be waiting with a spray and cloth so you can see how beautifully your big day has all come together through squeaky clean lenses. 

At the end of it all it’s important to be able to take in every second of your wedding day because you only have one. Everyone says the day goes by so fast and it does! You don’t want to be worrying about the flowers showing up on time or forgetting to pack nail clippers to snip a hangnail. With a good coordinator you’ll end up looking back on your wedding wondering how they didn’t cost more because of how much they did!