Planning Tips :: Reasons to Hire a Coordinator for Your Event

Some are aware of this and some aren't, but there is a definite difference between an event planner and an event coordinator. Whether it's a wedding, a birthday party, a charity fundraiser, a dinner party, a corporate picnic....you want your well laid out plans to be carried out correctly, and you don't want to miss the amazing party you planned because you were too busy behind the scenes!

In short, a planner puts all the details together and makes all of the needed bookings and schedules, while the coordinator makes sure all of the plans are carried out accordingly just as they were intended. Even if you're a bride and have planned your own wedding, it is still very beneficial to look into hiring a coordinator to carry out your hard work and your detailed plans.

As a professional wedding planner and coordinator, I coordinated my own wedding against my better judgement! I wanted to hire an outside coordinator, but I let the hubby-to-be talk me into handling it myself with my bridesmaids. I ended up in the lawn outside in hair curlers and a bathrobe, makeup half done, telling the rental company where to set up the chairs, telling the DJ where to set up the music area, fielding phone calls from other vendors trying to set up at the reception....and I just kept thinking....I should be inside sipping a mimosa and getting ready!

The quick short list of what WE do when we coordinate a wedding or event is:

• Make sure all setup is accounted for and complete before guest arrival
• Coordinate with all vendors on wedding day or event day to confirm arrival times, what they are responsible for, deliveries, payments due, etc...
• Oversee and handle any of the setup and tear down of the event making sure your personal items make it home with you and rental items make it back to where they were rented from.
• Act as "personal assistant" to bride, groom & family to handle any specific things you need (if not a wedding, then the host of the event).
• Make sure the party and the entire day stays on schedule - - from deliveries to ceremony to dinner being served to your grand exit...all scheduled details for the day are watched over and made happen on time.
• Provide an emergency kit to cover any mishaps that may happen throughout the day; medicines, band aids, clear nail polish for pantyhose runs, hair spray, pins and a sewing kit...it's best to be covered for anything that happens!
• ALL THIS is taken care of by a professional while you and your family sit back stress-free and just enjoy the day with no worries!

Don't let the stress of wedding day or event day get to you - - you took the time to plan out a wonderful party, so plan to enjoy it with your family and your guests!