Who's Who in the Wedding Industry

I meet a lot of brides that are either a keen believer that they need help with the wedding planning process or they are determined to do it all on their own. For the brides in the second category, they learn a little too late that in the last three months leading up their wedding, they spend an average of 11 hours a week planning. Nearly 50% also found that planning their wedding was more stressful than they expected. (Source: Wedding Bells)

Assuming that I have now (easily) convinced you to hire help, here are some of the roles and responsibilities of the wedding industry professionals that can help you!
~Monica

Wedding Planner
This person is your Wedding Manager. Next to you, they know all about your wedding vision, wedding plans, and budget. (In actual fact, they might know all of this better than you.) This person will handle all the details leading up to your wedding and all the details on your wedding day. They will also have great relationships with other wedding professionals and can provide referrals to other wedding vendors. Your wedding planner’s great relationships may lead to discounts or bonus add-ons too. If you are getting married in Canada, you may want to consider hiring a Certified Wedding Planner with the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC). Every Certified Wedding Planner with WPIC adheres to a Code of Ethics.

Day of Coordinator
This person is your Wedding Director. They are also a wedding planner but they come into the picture just a little bit before your wedding day (usually a month before). They will help you draft a wedding day timeline to ensure everything runs on-time and according to your plans. Your wedding vendors will be confirmed to ensure that they fulfill their contracts. Your wedding day will be smooth and executed flawlessly with the thanks of your Day of Coordinator.

Ceremony / Reception Site Coordinator
This person is contracted by the ceremony/reception venue. Their priority is to ensure the venue’s rules are implemented and not broken by you. Although you often hear the venue coordinator say they can help you on your wedding day, their role and responsibilities are tied with their employer – the venue. Now, I am not saying their role is not necessary. They also play a huge role at your wedding and can ensure everything runs smoothly, such as coordinating the timing of dinner. You never want hungry (and potentially cranky) guests!

Event Designer
This person is your Wedding Visionary. While a wedding planner excels in the logistics and planning of your wedding, an event designer will shine when designing the aesthetics of your wedding. Your event designer is the creator of the “WOW” factor at your wedding. They don’t just source rentals for your wedding, but they will create it custom for you when the item does not exist...yet. Your event designer is crucial to you if you strive for a one of a kind wedding that none of your guests have seen...like EVER.

Here are some pictures of the events and weddings created by my Event Designer Idol, Preston Bailey!






Photo Credits: Preston Bailey