Do You Need a Wedding Coordinator for Your Big Day? Here's How to Decide
When it comes to hiring wedding professionals, you may feel like the less is more approach is the way to go. After all, weddings are expensive—you have to book a venue, then pay for everything from food and alcohol to photography and florists. While these are all necessary and worthwhile expenses, you might be looking to cut costs in other areas, and hiring only the most necessary vendors might seem like an easy way to trim your budget. A wedding coordinator, for example, might seem like a pro who'd fall into the "nice to have, but not entirely necessary category," and for some couples, that's certainly the case. For others, though, cutting this expense may end up costing you more in the long run. Here, how to decide if you need a wedding coordinator—either in the form of a month-of, week-of, or day-of professional—for your big day.
Related: Is There a Specific Order I Should Follow When Hiring My Wedding Vendors?
Determine If One Will Be Worth the Expense for You
If you're planning a detail-heavy celebration, a month-, week-, or day-of coordinator could be your saving grace. These pros will keep every last element in order and make sure your plan is executed to perfection. Amber Anderson, a business coach with Refine for Wedding Planners, says, "Statistically, those that don't hire a coordinator end up spending more money, time, and energy than those that don't." The last thing you'll want to do is spend your wedding morning organizing all the last-minute details.
Not having tons of details, or else does your venue have an on-site contact who can help with the setup? Then you'll likely be just fine skipping this pro.
If You're Having a Smaller Celebration, Consider the Options
"No two weddings are ever alike—even simple weddings have layers of complexity that require careful consideration," Anderson says, so don't just assume there's no need for a coordinator of some sort just because you're planning a smaller celebration. If you're not hyper-organized or you just don't love the idea of managing a full day of events, go ahead and hire a coordinator. On the other hand, if you're an organizational wizard and you feel confident that your vendor team can operate on their own, there's likely no need for professional help.
Save Your Friendship, Hire a Pro
While it may be tempting to ask a friend or family member to step up and fill the shoes of your wedding coordinator, Anderson strongly advises against it. "Friends and family don't have back up plans in place like professionals. If a DJ were to no-show, which happens, I have 10 other DJs in my contact list and with a few calls, I can have someone there in an hour or two." Anderson goes on to say, "This is your day, and you need the freedom to be specific and in charge. That can hard with friends, especially when they are helping you save money."
Additionally, a friend or family member may resent the fact that they do not get to enjoy the benefits of being a guest at your wedding while they are "on the job."
Think About the Benefits of Hiring a Pro
Hiring a wedding coordinator to help you with your planning and day-of needs will provide more benefits than just having a dedicated vendor in charge of all your party's moving parts. Wedding coordinators will often advocate for you as a couple when you have issues with a vendor. They can also act as a sounding board when you have questions, and be another person you can go to if you have concerns. Most importantly, Anderson says, having a professional around who has done this before can provide reassurance to couples worried that some detail has been missed.
