What I’ve Learned From Being A Wedding Day Coordinator
Updated: Jan 4
Get some insight about Month-Of wedding Coordination and what really happens behind the scenes.
This year, I had the honor of being a part of the creation of so many beautiful wedding ceremonies & receptions. I got to experience more of the ins and outs of the wedding planning process along with industry professionals.
As a Month-of wedding day coordinator, my role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of your wedding. I do a lot on a wedding day and I have surely learned plenty of things! I think you can benefit from at least having a Month-of wedding coordinator, so that you aren't chasing down vendors in your wedding dress. You will rest assured knowing that all wedding tasks and details are completed and on its proper course.
In this blog, I will be sharing some tips, things I've learned, and some of the responsibilities of a Month-of wedding coordinator. So stayed tuned to get the juicy details!
The Responsibilities of A Month-Of Wedding Coordinator
When you're planning your wedding, it's easy to get caught up in the details. You want everything to be perfect—and, of course, it will be! But sometimes the smallest details can become overwhelming, especially as the date is approaching. That's where a month-of coordinator comes in. A Month-of coordinator is a wedding professional who assists with the planning and coordination of your wedding 6 weeks prior to the day of the wedding. Our main focus is on managing the logistics of the wedding day to ensure that everything goes according to the plan and timeline.
This service can be helpful for couples who have taken care of their planning and design, but want to be able to relax and enjoy their special day without worrying about the day of details. A month-of coordinator can take care of the behind-the-scenes tasks, allowing the couple to focus on celebrating with their loved ones. We can also be a helpful resource for answering questions, providing guidance, and addressing any issues that may come up on the day of the wedding.
Some of the tasks we may be responsible for include:
Finalizing details: We are in charge of finalizing any outstanding details with vendors and the couple, such as confirming arrival times and finalizing the timeline for the event.
Setting up: We will make sure that the ceremony and reception spaces are set up by arranging tables, chairs, and decorations.
Coordinating with vendors: We may work closely with vendors such as the caterer, florist, and DJ to ensure that everything is set up and running smoothly.
Managing the timeline: Our main responsibility is keeping the event on schedule, including directing the flow of the ceremony and reception and coordinating with the couple and their wedding party.
Handling emergencies: It is our responsibility to handle any emergencies that arise on the day of the event, such as a vendor not showing up or a last-minute change to the timeline. We are also the main point of contact for everyone.
Pack up: We assist you with packing up any personal items and coordinating with vendors to ensure that everything is taken care of at the end of the event.
What I've Learned
After coordinating so many wedding days, I have seen it all. I've seen officiants call out sick, DIY weddings gone wrong, and rogue bridal parties. The point is, something can always go wrong, and sometimes it may be out of your and our control. However, the perk of having a month-of wedding coordinator is that we are always equipped with solutions. As I said, we've seen it all, so we are readily prepared and can anticipate any issues.
I've learned that having a professional by your side is very beneficial. For the major things, of course, but also for the small details like - making sure the photographer/videographer gets the best angles and shots, bringing breakfast to the bridal & groom suites while your getting ready, making sure you get a plate of food to eat before your guests, helping you in and out of the restroom, and even cutting short those long winded speeches of relatives who hijacked the microphone. These things may seem small, but on the day of, can make a huge difference with your experience.
As the month of wedding coordinator, I've learned a lot about venues. I have worked with many venues in Houston and know exactly how they operate. I have seen all sorts of different spaces, from banquet halls to outdoor patios to museums. I know what flow will work best in these venues and where the vendors can set up for delivery, set up, and breakdown. This is very helpful for me when it comes to vendor communications. I know exactly where they need to go for delivery, set up, and breakdown. Vendors must know exactly where everything is going so that there aren't any mishaps. For example, if a caterer delivers food and sets up their station in the wrong area, then it could cause delays for other vendors who need access to that space as well.
I also learned how to strategically schedule all wedding day events. From the start of the ceremony to the grand exit, I know how to keep you right on time. The wedding day timeline is important because we have a set time to be in a venue. Depending on your venue's packages, they may allow you to enter the venue as early as 9:00 am and we must be out by 12:00 am. That may sound like a lot of time, but it definitely goes by fast! Every moment counts and our timeline is detailed down to the exact minute.
Tips
Here are some tips I can share for you if you are going to hire a month of wedding coordinator or you may want to do it yourself.
Book your vendors as early as possible: The earlier your wedding dream team is assembled, the easier your wedding day will be.
Figure out what events you want on your wedding day: Do you want to do the garter toss? Will your ceremony be short or long? Would you like to have a cocktail hour for your guests?
Time is money: Try to stay on schedule as much as you can. Otherwise, you may be charged more by vendors or from the venue for going overtime.
Bring a safe or lock up personal belongings: To keep your stuff safe, I recommend locking up you items. There are many people coming in and out of the venue and we want to make sure your things don't disappear.
Bring an emergency kit: I always provide my wedding party with an emergency kit. This has things like band aids, pins, dress tape, garment steamer, deodorant, Advil, sewing kit, phone chargers, etc. Basically, it has anything you may need to assist you in a "just in case" moment.
A month of coordinator is a great investment for your wedding. Take this blog into consideration when you are making your wedding day plans. I hope it has helped!
Talk with a wedding professional today!
We at Courtney Morris Collective are dedicated to capturing your love story for your big day. Your wedding experience is our top priority and we have many services that can accommodate your needs and desires. We would love the opportunity to speak with you in regards to your upcoming nuptials. Reach out to us by booking a DISCOVERY CALL or feel free to email us at info@courtneymorriscollective.com.
We look forward to hearing from you! Happy Planning!