Feeling Uncoordinated? 

        WHEN TO USE A WEDDING COORDINATOR

        By  Myrna E Javier,  Regional Manager, Lamar Wedding Center Dallas                        

So many bride and grooms ask the question after getting engaged, “should we plan our own wedding or should we hire a professional wedding planner?” After all, it’s a very important, if not THE most important event of their lives. There are several advantages and disadvantages to hiring a (wedding planner, wedding consultant, event planner or wedding coordinator). They are out there to assist in planning your wedding, whether it’s months away or just around the corner. Okay, so any one can help you plan your wedding ( a sister, a cousin or a friend).  But one advantage to hiring a professional certified wedding planner is the experience they have. A wedding planner with no experience is better off not attending at all. “ In my 22 plus years as a photographer and 5 years as a wedding Officiant, I have worked with many.  Some contact me prior to go over logistics while others I have regrettably met the day of… In my opinion, this creates a potential wedding disaster.  If the vendors are not contacted to go over the timeline, then chaos occurs and stresses not only the bride but the very people they hired to capture the memories of the most important day of their lives!  An experienced planner can accomplish all of this while also  meeting your budget,” says Rita Lamar, founder of the Wedding Center.

Some will already have connections with caterers, photographers, DJ’s etc.  Planners who have not achieved their certification can and will turn a perfectly good day completely upside down, simply by not doing their research.  ..  The planners that I’ve recommended and work with, actually do most or all of the leg work and allow the bride and groom more time to sit back and relax prior to and during the wedding.   The wedding planner does the leg work of ensuring that everything is organized and executed the way the bride and groom want and at the same time, works with  vendors to make sure all their special requests are met.  This includes requested images, music, video interviews and more.  Timing is key.  A wedding can easily go into overtime if it is not planned out properly.  We suggest an hour prior to ceremony for photos of the bride preparing, and we try and catch the family portraits right after the ceremony.  I have a word or two for coordinators that allow the receiving line to last 40 minutes.. (GRRR)

 Someone who has a handle on things can troubleshoot emergencies and unexpected events during the entire wedding process. This in itself can really take a lot of stress out of planning every aspect of the wedding.

Since hiring a professional wedding planner can be expensive, some companies actually have modest fees.  Lamar Wedding Center for example charges 250.00 and includes reading over contracts and obtaining necessary insurances.  Some charge by the hour, others by packaged fees and yet others charge by percentages of every service or vendor. This can run to over $1K.  And why shouldn’t it.. after all, don’t most coordinators collect some sort of commission? Most do have free consultations however. Trust me, the cost of a wedding itself is worth the time and effort to check on reviews from past clients or business referrals.  

When all is said and done, the only thing that matters (besides a fantastic party) is not going over budget. The discounts and great wedding deals gained from having a certified professional planner will even out the cost in the end. But it is a decision a bride and groom have to make. Congratulations to all engaged to be married!!

How Soon Should You Send Out Your "Save the Date" notices??

Once your engagement has been announced & there have been photos taken, the next step is to send out your "SAVE THE DATE" How much time should be given? Although this is a relatively new practice, the sooner the better. This way family & friends can start to plan in advance, before they make their own vacation plans or other outings.. I know couple who sent them out a week after their engagement, others a year prior to their wedding date. It's a friendly reminder, & given the amount of "EVENTS" in every one's busy schedule a Wedding is certainly a pleasant enough celebration  that loved ones and cherished friends will attend.  

A simple  picture of the two of you is the best, try & be creative. It’s always fun to see the couple engage in one of their favorite hobbies or sports, still simple  & romantic work too. I've seen simple photos sent with the words save the date on them, or magnets to hang on your fridge or attach to your bulletin board. Which ever you choose the "reminder" will be appreciated & noted as soon as your guests  receive it. If your wedding is going to be a destination wedding then I stress even more to get those reminders out!

Email works too, in this day & age of social networks.  An e-mail with the information & photo attachment will save you some postage, being that your invites will definitely will be mailed out sometime thereafter. So have those photos taken, your location & date noted & alleviate some stress!

Personalize Your Save the Dates

These days a simple "SAVE THE DATE" photo can be much more than a photo to your loved ones to save the date for your wedding. It can be fun, spontaneous & above all reflect the couple that you are. Most recently a couple came in for their engagement/hold the date photos. They were dressed casually, but after a few pictures, quickly changed into soccer attire, shorts, sneakers & a soccer ball were used in their photos. They had met & both enjoyed the sport. So if there is something that the two of you share & love, try to incorporate it into your photos. Maybe you both are of the same ethnic background, bring soething that can show in your pictures to signify your bond of say the country that the two of you have roots in.There are couples that have brought in their pets to be in the photos. Then there are those who have been married & are remarrying & have a child with them & add that relative into their pictures. BE UNIQUE! Dress up, or if you are casual dress down. MAKE IT ALL ABOUT THE TWO of you!!