| Sometimes a bride doesn't want to hire a wedding | | | | (the time dinner is served, when the bouquet will be |
| planner to plan her entire wedding, she believes she | | | | tossed, etc.) but also when deliveries and vendors are |
| just needs a wedding planner to help her on her | | | | expected to arrive to setup and what time all |
| wedding day. You might think it is a great way to start | | | | decorations and people need to be cleared out. |
| your wedding planning business but you must realize | | | | 3) You must get detailed information and study all of |
| that "day of" doesn't mean you are going to work only | | | | the bride's contracts |
| on the day of the wedding. | | | | Since you were not part of the entire planning process, |
| Here are 6 things you should know about "day of" | | | | you will need the bride to give you detailed information |
| wedding coordination before you offer it: | | | | about the products and services she purchased. You |
| 1) You must plan to meet with the bride and find out | | | | will need copies of all of her vendor contracts at least |
| what she expects of you | | | | a week or two before the wedding so you can |
| It's almost impossible to coordinate a wedding day | | | | review them. The bride needs to tell her vendors that |
| without meeting with the bride at least once or twice, | | | | she has hired you to do the coordination on the day of |
| preferably at her venues, so she can explain and point | | | | her wedding so they know you will be in charge. |
| out how she envisions her day. | | | | 4) You must find out if the bride has paid her vendors |
| You also need to determine what services she | | | | You do not want to be told that something can't be |
| expects. You may be asked to design the floor plan | | | | done on the wedding day because the bride has not |
| for her reception, run the rehearsal, organize the | | | | paid her bills. You will have to get confirmation, in |
| ceremony, assist with the photography session, lay out | | | | advance, that she has handled her financial |
| escort cards, place cards and favors, coordinate | | | | responsibilities. |
| deliveries, oversee vendor setup, provide assistants, | | | | 5) "Day of" wedding coordination could add up to over |
| oversee the cleanup and/or finish up all of the last | | | | 40 hours of work |
| minute details that she never got around to completing. | | | | With all of the preparation that you need to do to prior |
| Make sure you are both clear on the services you are | | | | to the wedding day, then also oversee the rehearsal, |
| providing and list all of them in your contract. | | | | ceremony, reception and cleanup on the day itself, you |
| 2) You must get or create a time line | | | | may be doing about 40 hours, or more, of work. You |
| A very organized bride will have a time line of her day | | | | will need to plan your schedule accordingly and also |
| to give to you. If she doesn't, you will need to create | | | | price your services so you can make a profit. |
| one. | | | | 6) You need to make sure you have the experience |
| The time line should include a detailed schedule not only | | | | to deliver the services the bride needs |
| of the wedding party (when are they scheduled to | | | | Now, as you can tell, "day of" wedding coordination |
| arrive at the site, what time hair and makeup will be | | | | isn't as simple as it sounds. Make sure you can really |
| done, etc.), ceremony (when guests will be seated, | | | | give the bride the day she envisions before you |
| what time the procession will start, etc.) and reception | | | | accept her as a client. |