How important is wedding planner?

Does your venue have some coordinator? Mine does which is saving us a lot of money. If not can someone close to you help? Just to make sure the day runs smoothly and people stay on time.

I STRONGLY suggest a day of coordinator. I totally get the extra cost. And I like doing everything myself. I DIYed a lot. But I thought about not a single thing on my wedding day. She set up, she coordinated all day with my photographer and videographer, she made she the day was going on time. She made sure my husband and I got anything we needed. She was the one that talked to our caterer and bakery to tell them what time they needed to show up at the venue. And at the end of the night she packed it all up. I hired her a year before my wedding and she was there the entire way if I had any questions or just needed advice on something. And in the last month before your wedding you’re stressed. You’re finishing last minute things and you don’t want to have to worry about talking to your vendors on all the scheduling etc. It wasn’t exactly in our budget either but we cut out other things to make it work because I knew I would not regret having one. My day would not have gone so smoothly and I wouldn’t have enjoyed myself as much without her. Because then everything would’ve been on me or my family and no one wants to do that. Everyone wants to have a good time!

My venue requires a day of coordinator but they allow it to be a friend. They just want someone dedicated to it. So honestly you can approach someone you trust, that doesn’t have a lot of responsibilities that day (no one included in any wedding party) and ask them.
I have asked my future mother in law (she really wanted to, we are so blessed). I hope this helps any!

View Quoted Comment

My venue is at the recreation hall at a state park, They provide tables and chairs (naked, lol) that's about it.

View Quoted Comment

I think if you have someone that is close to you and willing and has the personality to take charge that may be your best bet if you cant hire a coordinator in your budget. My day of coordinator is available to answer any questions from the vendors like what time to show up. She also keeps the ceremony and reception running smoothly. Putting boutonnieres on the men. Making sure I don't run into my future husband before the ceremony. Things like that. Anyone you choose should be comfortable with talking to and directing people

Everyone needs a month of coordinator. They make sure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so that your guests are not scrambling to fix something out of their control. Guests who work do not get to enjoy themselves as guests for any period of time.


Not everyone needs or wants an actual planner. What that is defined as is is someone who picks your venue and vendors for you and you just show up. They do provide coordination services but not as a priority. Unless you are a celebrity with bottomless pockets and zero time or interest in picking your own vendors, a planner is an unnecessary expense. Go with a month of coordinator. Also, a venue coordinator does not have your interests in mind, only that of the venue. So they make sure doors are unlocked, vendors are in and out on time, and other things that apply to the venue. They will not set up or tear down your decor, or direct whatever the wedding coordinator takes care of.

View Quoted Comment

Thank you everyone! I will check on here recommended wedding coordinators and compare prices. not sure where I can cut expenses yet. But I will find a way, since I want everything to go nice and easy, my bridesmaid coming from Texas, one arrive day before in afternoon, the other arrive 9 pm night before, so the day before already little overwhelming. I will try to put decorations up the day before if I have access to, can't imagine they would have event Thursday night (my wedding is on Friday).

Thank you all for your input!

View Quoted Comment Check out Eventective.com and Yelp for suggestions. The latter doesn’t allow vendors to pay to have reviews removed, which is unfortunate not the case with WW.


Also Instagram for your area is a great place to find vendors and see their most recent work.

What expenses are you wanting to cut or adjust? The basics you need are a venue, a marriage license, officiant, and food and beverages for your guests. Everything beyond that is completely optional and all of those things can be adapted to fit a budget.

Who will be setting up the decor, the food, dessert table, cut the cake for serving, taking down and boxing up decor after the wedding, and keeping people on track of where to be when?

View Quoted Comment

Hi Alyssa, I'm doing my bouquets as well as my bridal party, and the wedding decorations, so I will be putting them up with help from my family. we are doing taco bar for food, we have about 50 guest including us, so small wedding. Does wedding coordinator do that? My understanding as one listed on her web site, she will be the girl running around with clip board answering questions and keeping vendors on time and on track, since I'm the vendor for decoration and food (LOL) there is no need to pay $1000 for someone to just do that, but if her task is more and she really taking a load off of me then it is worth considering.

View Quoted Comment A day of coordinator will definitely help with the put up and take down and decor. They probably will not serve food but could possibly set it up if you ask. I'd definitely get a day of coordinator they help keep people on track and the good ones really don't want you or family to stress.

View Quoted Comment

Thank you all so much! I'm gonna look into that more, and see how I can fit that in the budget. You guys are wonderful!

You sound like me. I plan on doing everything myself as well. I do think having someone close to you to handle some things make sense. Someone would have to start the music when you're walking down the aisle, etc. That's my plan.

View Quoted Comment

Thank you Gonna have to take care of couple things like photographer and figure the food to help figure this.

I agree that a coordinator is really a must to keep one from going crazy. It doesn't have to be someone paid. All you need is someone close to you who has good organizational skills. And for myself, I can recommend writing everything down and checking it off. Really every detail, so that nothing is forgotten. You can download a pre-wedding to-do list or you can create your own. Good luck!

Sounds like you have everything planned out girl, just remember there is no such thing as a perfect day, wedding, life ECT. That being said you may hit some bumps in the road but remember there's always another way, everything is fixable to a point so don't drive yourself crazy after all it's your special day you make it how you want it. I'm trying to plan a wedding with trying to keep a budget which I don't even have haha I'm just trying to cut corners I'm looking at a hotel venues this way my quests get cheaper rooms and the night of the bride and groom get a comp room, and you don't have to worry about booking a party bus to get your guests from one place to another which helps on expenses I also am ordering 80-90% of everything on Amazon and I'm even buying my bouquet and flowers from there their fake don't have to worry about them dying in me ha. I hope your day is as magical as you make it. I know you don't know me but if you ever need help or need to talk to someone or have questions feel free to message me I can try to help ya out. We also are having a smaller wedding 85 people max that's if everyone we invite come. Good luck remember have fun planning dont sweat the small stuff 😉

View Quoted Comment

Thank you!! There is some changes that I will be doing, we gonna have someone cater the food and stay to fix plates too for the Taco Bar. I might approach my friend's sister in law to help on the day of.

Yes send me a message Thank you for being sweet and kind.