I know a lot of brides feel they don't need to spend money on a wedding planner and they are
confident they or their families and friends can handle the million details that go into making
a wedding successful. I know that it is possible, but I am the "what if" queen and have seen
many brides disappointed with their family and friends lack of interest or not making the
bride their priority on their wedding days. Fortunately, we have been on site as their "day of"
planners and have been able to remedy the situations that otherwise may have been terrible
for the brides.

Another planner, Jeannie Ward from Wedding Jeannie had this recent experience that she
shared with other coordinators. It makes me just cringe that every single item could have
been corrected with a day of planner. Don't let this happen to you, think of us as your
insurance for a smooth running wedding day filled with great memories instead of this poor
bride's memories.

Recently a bride called me inquiring about hiring me. I was already booked for her day,
but referred her to another planner that I know and trust. Her wedding was 45 days away
and she still didn’t have a DJ. Even though I wasn’t her planner I referred a great DJ to her,
and she hired him. 

Monday after the wedding, I heard from my valued DJ. The bride decided not to hire a
planner because she didn’t want to pay the fee, and she was confident that her family
members would take care of the details. Unfortunately they didn’t, and her wedding was
not all she  was wishing for. Here is a list of what went wrong, and how it could have been
avoided.

• The bride was 30 minutes late for her own wedding. We make a detailed timeline of the entire day, from the time the make-up artist arrives, to the time the limo picks up the bridal party, etc. We even contact your hair and make-up artists to tell them what time they should start and finish, to keep the bride on time.

• The florist was late and didn’t have an assistant to help him. He was putting down  the runner and petals while the guests were seated and watched. A professional coordinator’s timeline is detailed. Each vendor (including the is called two weeks before the event to discuss the duties and what time they need  to start work and finish work. The florist is called again a few days before the wedding to confirm. I always have an assistant, and often times an intern. If a vendor is late and needs help to finish, we all jump in to get it done.

• Kneeling benches were to be used for the ceremony. The bride’s sister was to pick them up from the rental company and bring them. She didn’t do it! Her own sister didn’t do it. Prior to every wedding, I’m mentally prepared for every possible problem. I know what rental company is nearby, and could have had my assistant pick them up within ten minutes.

• Seating cards were to be placed outside of the ballroom. Assigned seating was the order of the day. The bride left this task to her beloved and responsible cousin.   Guess what? She forgot them! It was a seating “free for all”. Important family members were relegated to the back of the room, because people who took the seats closest to the couple refused to move. We require that the seating cards are given to us the night of the rehearsal. We place them and assist guests in being seated.

• The ceremony was one hour late and the priest threatened to leave because he had another wedding to perform. He instructed the DJ to start the music and send the bride down the aisle immediately or he would leave. The bridal party was running around visiting with friends and would not stay lined up. The brides father couldn’t be found when it was time to start. The Bride had to walk down the aisle alone! This is absolutely heartbreaking. There are always two of us at every wedding. I stay with the bride and her maids, and my assistant stays with the groom and his attendants. We keep everyone in line. The latest I’ve ever started a wedding was 10 minutes.

• Photography is one of the most important aspects of your wedding. You get one  chance to capture “moments” on film. The photographer at this wedding was eating hors’ doeuvres and sitting down. The DJ caught him sitting down on several occasions, not taking pictures. He had to continually hound him all night to do his job. It is not the job of the DJ to help with all of these problems. This couple was very lucky that this DJ is very caring and wanted the best for them. A coordinator would have made sure the photographer was doing his job. If necessary,   my assistant would shadow him and keep him on his toes. It’s our job to oversee that the important shots are being captured.

• A video montage was to be played during the reception. The bride assured the DJ that there would be a projector and a screen provided. She forgot to inform the venue. No screen, no projector. Luckily the DJ had a backup projector in his vehicle.  He convinced the venue manager to allow them to use their screen (additional for the couple). We do a final walk through with the venue to go over the timeline and flow for the day. The mistake would have been identified and corrected at that time.

In the long run, the couple were married. Isn’t that what really matters? Of course it is. But the bride was especially distressed about everything that went wrong. Most brides are sure that their family will “take care of them that day”. I can attest to the fact that when a family member has been assigned a duty, 8 times out of 10, they don’t deliver. It’s not that don’t love you, but your wedding is not their priority. We see it happen every day.                   

For the cost of hiring an experienced planner, these problems could have been avoided.

This really breaks my heart thinking what that bride went through. I know that weddings are
expensive, but don't let all your hard work and ideas fall apart on the wedding day.

I hope this will help at least one bride make the right choice, 
Barbara
www.barbarasbride.com