Planner: A Modern Proposal
Photos: Erik Hornung Photography
Ceremony: Mornville Catholic Church St. Jean Baptiste
Reception: Edmonton Garrison
Flowers: Flowers by Coral
Cater: Elizabethan
Cake: Bake Me A Cake
DJ: Revolution Entertainment

Taryn and Mike were such a beautiful couple that were the perfect clients, very relaxed and super happy! It was a fun winter wedding, which was suiting since their last name was Noel. Taryn looks absolutely in her gown – don’t you think?

Simple decor was set out, with lots of candles and pussy willows, it gave the room a very warm glow. On the piano we set out photos of the people who were not at the wedding, Taryn and Mike lit candles right before their first dance – it was very beautiful touch to honour those who were gone.

Well it depends on your priorities – you can technically afford anything you want, if you prioritize properly.

The least amount of coverage any bride should have is a day of (or month of – depending on the coordinator) coordination. The coordinator will not really do much planning – that will have been your job. But they go over the details of the wedding to ensure that nothing has been forgotten because they want to ensure your wedding runs as smoothly as possible.

A wedding coordinator is hired to ensure that the day goes by smoothly and ensures that any issues are taken care of and that you will be a guest at the wedding. They ensure that everyone who needs to know things (i.e. schedule) is kept in the loop, for example if you are running late from your photos they will let the kitchen know your ETA. They are there to ensure that you receive what you have paid for, for example if your rentals show up without the chair covers you ordered.

Day of coordination usually starts at $650 – $2,500 depending on the coordinator (experience, education), number of hours, and duties.

Some coordinators/planners have a combination package a package with a bit of planning and day of coordination. This allows you to pick your vendors and do most of the leg work and the planner will come in and help you with the details and then coordinate the wedding day (as above).

Now, if you want it all you will have the full planning & coordination – which usually includes everything and anything. You will have the planner help you choose appropriate vendors, create your vision and coordinate your wedding day. A wedding planner & Coordinator will save you countless hours and money by avoiding costly mistakes that most brides & grooms make. Not to mention the sanity you will have and the free time.

Now this usually runs for 10-15% of your total budget starting at around $1,200 (again this depends on the coordinator). Considering day of coordination starts at $650, that is a pretty good deal!

It has been reported that 70% of brides who didn’t use a planner, wish that they had. Ask yourself much is your sanity worth?

(Shandro Photo)

A Photographer is usually with a bride/groom for a very long time on the day of their wedding, so from experience alone they know how important and valuable a wedding coordinator is. Photographers are hired to do one job, take photos. Though they find themselves taking care of things that aren’t usually mentioned in the contract, things that take away from them capturing the day – what they were paid to do.

“Planners are a great individual to have at the wedding to help the bride feel calm and relaxed, and know that everything is being taken care of.  The more relaxed the bride and groom are, the better and more natural the photos will be.” (Haley)

“This means that we are left to do what we were paid for – capture the gorgeous details, emotions and events of the day. We highly recommend to all our couples that they hire a planner.” (Rachel)

Ensuring everyone has the required information and is in place at the right time is the job of the the Coordinator, “the planner is a great go-to person for us when we have questions, so we don’t have to bother the couple or their family with technicalities” (Haley)

When planning the day of schedule a lot of little details may be forgotten, including the appropriate amount of time required for photos – something you don’t want to risk! “The planner is someone to help schedule the day, and they understand a lot more about the wedding than the couple.  It makes it easier for us to ensure that we have enough time for photos.” (Haley)

A planner/coordinator is there to ensure that anything goes ‘wrong’ is, usually before the bride and groom even notice.

“We are with them when their dress rips, their florist brings the wrong order, their caterer is late to bring the food, or a drunk uncle knocks over the cake. So, in addition to trying to capture the good things of their day, we often bear the full brunt of supporting the couple and offering quick-fix solutions – that is, unless they hire a planner. And we always pray that they hire a planner!” (Rachel)