Hiring a Wedding Organiser
Very few brides are professional event planners, stage directors or
project managers, thus there can be a huge margin for error in planning
a wedding. In fact, almost everyone in the wedding business has heard
the same refrain from a frantic bride..."I've never planned a wedding
before!"
Some newly engaged couples simply can't handle the added stress or cope
with the time-consuming details of planning their weddings. As with any
complicated project, there might be a need for a "project manager."
In the wedding business, this person is known as a wedding organiser,
coordinator or consultant. Regardless of whether your event is large or
small, a wedding organiser can remove the burden of hundreds of details,
and see to it that all the segments of the wedding are properly planned
and implemented.
Organisers will tell you, they wear many hats. They will counsel brides
on what is possible within their budgets, offer advice on all aspects
of the wedding and can do the actual leg work of booking, hiring, and
contracting wedding vendors. In addition, they can manage the events of
the wedding and reception, so the bride, groom and wedding party can be
worry-free to enjoy the day.
A typical wedding organiser will begin by asking you to describe the
style of wedding you have in mind. You may be asked to detail all the
preferences you and your fiance have decided upon to make your wedding
special and distinctive. Money and budgets will be discussed, and you'll
need to pin down the cost range you have in mind. When a complete picture
of your event begins to take shape, the coordinator will make recommendations
which will eventually make your nuptials a reality.
Some people fear an organiser will barge in and take over, but that's
very unlikely. Reputable coordinators make your dreams come true, not
their own. They have close contacts with all wedding vendors, such as
rental outlets, jewellers, Caterers, photographers, DJs and florists of
the highest quality. A coordinator will only hire the best and will often
guarantee these services.
Organisers are experts on wedding etiquette, so whenever you have a question
about what is "right" they'll have the answer. They can also
shield the couple from problems arising on the wedding day. Familiar with
wedding timelines, an organiser knows what planning tasks need to be done
when, and will alert you to them. This can lower the stress level for
everyone.
When selecting a coordinator, be sure to interview several before making
your final choice. Find one you feel comfortable working closely with
and one who understands your wishes. Inquire about how many weddings the
organiser has worked on in the past. Find out exactly what services they
offer and what they don't. Check their references. Ask yourself, does
this person seem organised and professional? It's also a good idea to
establish the fee structure up front.
Experts recommend the bride who is starting on the planning process have
at least one meeting with a wedding organiser, that could help her avoid
many pitfalls. If the bride does nothing but have an initial consulting
service, she will likely be savings a lot of money down the line.
The cost of wedding organiser vary's from region to region, and with
the overall wedding size. As a general rule you can expect to pay is ten
to twenty percent of the total wedding costs for a person who is managing
all aspects of a large wedding. Others may charge a flat fee. If possible,
it's better to have a flat fee, thus you know the complete cost up-front.
Going with a percentage, can create a conflict of interest because the
larger your budget, the more the organiser will get paid.
If a wedding is in your future, but you feel "stressed-out,"
consider a wedding organiser. |
