If I had a dollar for every time someone referred to me as Jennifer Lopez, I’d stop playing the lottery (okay so I’ve never actually bought a lottery ticket…). The reality of a wedding planner on your big day is a different picture than Mary Fiore (Lopez’ character in The Wedding Planner) portrays. Here’s an overview of 8 key things a wedding planner does on your wedding day.
1.Taking care of the LOGISTICS. At P.S. Eventful we create a detailed Wedding Day Itinerary (we’re talking several pages and colour-coded here!) and we follow this thoroughly on your wedding day to ensure things run as planned.
2. Checking the DETAILS. A wedding planner will ensure there is a working pen on your signing table, double check that the best man has the wedding bands, ensure guests with dietary restrictions get the correct meal…you get the picture!
3. CUEING the entrances. A wedding planner will cue both your processional and reception entrance. We’ll make sure your grandma has arrived before you walk out and that the aisle is clear so guests aren’t caught in your entrance photos.
4. Helping with SET UP. Wondering who will take care of placing your seating chart, place cards, guest book, favors, photobooth props, so on? Why your wedding planner of course!
5. It’s all about TIMING. Chances are a 6pm dinner start time may be shifted by 15 minutes if you have several guests who are late. A wedding planner will check in with your caterer to delay service so entrees are still hot, move up speeches to ensure your photographer doesn’t work overtime, etc.
6. Working with your VENDORS. A wedding planner will check in with your limo driver, direct your cake delivery guy, cue your DJ, and so on. Without sounding too cheesy, it really is a team effort to ensure everything runs smoothly for you.
7. Taking care of “EMERGENCIES”. Has the groom’s suit button popped? Are the groomsmen clueless on how to pin a boutonniere? Does the mother of the bride need a bobby pin? At P.S. Eventful, we provide a fully stocked “Emergency Kit” to take care of any catastrophes which may occur.
8. And of course, ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES. At the end of it all, you nor your wedding planner can predict what will happen on your wedding day…BUT we can pre-plan, think quick, and provide solutions.
Even if you haven’t had a Wedding Planner from the start, be sure to hire a Day of Wedding Coordinator to put your mind at ease on your wedding day. After all, don’t you want to enjoy your big day?
Photo credit: Nikko Photography