Photo Credit: Shandro Photo

Company: Awespiring Weddings and Design

Location: Edmonton and area

Website: www.awespiringweddings.com

Blog: www.awespiringweddings.com/blog

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I started out planning events at my then daytime job, then for non-profit groups.  After nine years of doing that, I had to plan my own wedding.  This is when I realized, having a creative side (I’m a graphic designer),  that weddings were so much more fun to plan!  I went on to get certified by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) with my sister, and partner.

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
We do it all.  Working with my sister helps us shine as we create a balance of organization, creativity and motivation.

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
Seeing the groom’s expression when he first sees his bride.

What are some of your hobbies?
I love to be creative; I’m always designing something – be it a wedding monogram or cards for a friend.  My best times are spent with my husband and puppy.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Never lose sight of what’s the most important thing… bottom line, you are marrying the man you love.

Photo Credit: Shandro Photo

Company: A Modern Proposal Event Planning

Location: Edmonton and area

Website: www.amodernproposal.com

Blog: http://edmontonweddingplanner.amodernproposal.com

What made you get started in wedding planning?
When at a job as an administrative assistant I started out planning little events such as meetings, annual general meetings, and then larger events such as charity functions, award shows and golf tournaments. I then had to plan my own wedding. I had a good friend of mine tell me it was my calling. And should couldn’t have been more correct. I started by taking an Events Management Course and then later my Certification through WPIC.

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
All, I limit the amount of each type of wedding (i.e only 5 full coordination weddings a year)

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
Being the last person to see the bride before she walks down the aisle.

What are a few of your favorite blogs?
Oh, I love blogs! The local photographers in Edmonton sure have some beautiful photos so I sit on those for a good amount of time.
Ruffled
Hostess with the Mostess
Ritzy Bee

What are some of your hobbies?
Well I like to bike ride with my hubby in the summer and I love scrapbooking and DIY crafts and home improvements!

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Figure out what is most important to you and go for it. It’s only one day.

(source)

If your groom is hesitant on spending the money on a wedding coordinator, have them take a look at this groom’s perspective, it just might change their mind! You’ll have to read the original article for the full scoop but below are some key points.

Link to Original Article

“On your wedding day, you have two goals: 1) to actually (and legally) get married, 2) to enjoy your guests. In order to accomplish those two things, you need to be able to focus solely on them, which I guarantee you won’t accomplish if you also are coordinating everything on your wedding day.”

“Even if you are the most penny-pinching miser, hiring a day-of-coordinator is a no-brainer and a bottom-line value, mostly because you are actually making the most of a big investment (your wedding) by having them there helping. If money is time, then if you are spending time coordinating your wedding day, you are losing loads of money by not being able to enjoy yourself and your guests. So for just a small investment, you ensure that you will make the most of your big day.”

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?

(source)

Written by: Julianne Cragg, A Modern Proposal Event Planning

“Why do I need a coordinator my venue will do everything, they come with a coordinator” – This is one of the largest misconceptions when it comes to Venue Coordinator (the one that is at/comes with your venue) vs. an Event/Wedding Coordinator.

We are two very different kinds. Very simply put a wedding coordinator’s client is you; a venue coordinator’s client is their manager. A wedding planner’s interests lye with the client (YOU) while a venue coordinator’s interest lye with the venue.

A venue coordinator may assist with putting out linens or perhaps a room layout or even give you a list of the vendors that have been to those facilities before. However, most venues come with a coordinator. Most venues also have high turnover and multiple weddings in a day, which means you aren’t their only concern that day and you will potentially be working with a few ‘coordinators’. With multiple weddings, they aren’t in your room the whole time ensuring that guests aren’t raiding the sweet buffet before dinner! Once food is served they usually disappear. This doesn’t offer much support later on when you can’t find your toss bouquet or the Emcee goes missing.

A venue coordinator is there to coordinate anything that relates to the venue; where as a wedding planner is there to coordinate anything that relates to your wedding.

Both a wedding coordinator and venue coordinator are very important, but they also play very different roles, which may overlap in a few places concerning the reception décor or set up. But that’s usually where the similarities end.
Venue Coordinator will:
- create a floor plan
- create a menu, and attending the tasting
- set out décor items you brought the night before
- ensure a grand entrance into the reception room

Wedding Coordinator will*:
- assemble a master timeline and ensure it is carried out
- reviews contracts, ensure contracts are carried out
- have contracts on hand and previous emails to back up what vendors have said they will do for you
- ensure vendors/VIPs arrive and know what to do
- direct & assist guests at the ceremony and reception
- ensure that your best man has the rings that the marriage certificate is in place
- work with you to set up your rehearsal, direct if necessary
- create a seamless wedding by being the liaison between family/cake/dj/photographer/other vendors
- line up and cue the bridal party & musicians
- attend to any needs of the bride & bridal party
- set out any personal items (guestbook, flowers, escort cards, etc.) at the reception & ceremony and then collect any personal items

*(sample list, not even remotely complete)

(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)

Wedding Components
Planner: A Modern Proposal
Services Used: Partial Planning
Couple: Feyi & Tony
Ceremony Venue: Festival Place
Reception Venue: Derrick Club
Photographer: McMaster Studios (not the photos below)
Rentals: Exquisite Creations
Florals: Laurel’s
Cake: Bake-Me-A-Cake
Transportation: Champagne Limosines 

(photo by: ENV Photography; Planner – Julianne Cragg)

Written by: Julianne Cragg, WPICC

A wedding planner’s main job is to save you time, money, and stress. The largest difference of a wedding with a wedding planner is that you will see the bride having a good time and the bride and groom will be guests at their own wedding instead of having to tend to every little detail that goes array.

Wedding Planners/Coordinators will:
- Obtain lower prices
- Assist you in finding the best vendors
- Negotiate contracts
- Coordinate a schedule with your vendors
- Confirm arrival times and locations, obtain emergency numbers
- Compile a detailed schedule for you, your wedding party, and vendors
- Review contracts from your vendors
- Ensure you receive the services detailed on your contracts
- Ensure your vendors have everything they need
- Set up your ceremony and reception décor
- Transport your ceremony décor (as necessary)
- Direct vendors where to go
- Assist your guests (provide direction/fix attire/obtain high chairs etc.)
- Cue vendors when events are starting/need to end
- Fill in where necessary (i.e if an usher leaves or a guest book attendee does not arrive)
- Keep the event on schedule
- Distribute final payments
- Attend to emergencies

(please note: these are a few applicable tasks, and this can vary from planner to planner, and from package to package)
A big misconception is that your venue coordinator or your relative can take care of everything. A venue will have not contacted the cake person or the florist to ensure they have the correct address and when they are delivering. They also will not call the florist/baker/dj when they have not arrived on time. Will your relative have a back up contact to have another cake delivered or what will happen your bridesmaids pearls go all over the floor, or the ring bearer forgets the rings in the limo, are you going to send them to pick them up? Those are some of the many typical situations that happen at a wedding.

You will also have to be prepared to answer many questions on the day of your wedding, perhaps while getting hair or makeup done while your relative tries to decipher your hand writing or your vendor has a last minute questions. Wedding planners usually will have asked this in advance, have a back up copy, or have a contract/email in hand to answer the pending question.

A wedding planner will give you a list of great vendors to work with, it might not be a direct recommendation for you (as you would receive with full wedding planning), but reputable vendors that they have worked with. Remember they want your day to go as smoothly as possible as it will only make them look better, plus it’s less stress for the planner!

Wedding planners also know what is absolutely necessary to carry out your vision. Some vendors may try to up sell you and tell you need more than you really need. Their goal is to sell you as much as possible; where as the wedding planner is on your side, to ensure you receive your vision, on your budget.

When couples who took on the whole wedding by themselves were asked “what would you have done differently”? The majority say “hire a wedding planner” – ask a friend you’d be surprised!

In short, couples who hire a wedding planner will find that it is the best money they spent, and will enjoy their wedding.