• Real Weddings

Photography by: Modern Love Photography

Ask the Expert

It must be obvious by now we love weddings, collectively we have over 25 years of experience helping couples create great memories and we still can't help but smile every time we see a great couple share this incredible memory with family and friends. This particular wedding at Cavallo Point in Sausalito is presented by the very talented Denise Birdsong of Modern Love Photography and holds a special place for us as it was fine-tuned by Gloria Atherstone and Leyla Hobbs at our sister company, I Do Wedding Management.
Professional Wedding Management and/or Day of Coordination is a term that has been floating around the wedding industry for a few years now. The rise in popularity of "Day of " services is definitely being created by a demand of brides who are looking for a bit of direction in their planning and a professional to execute the wedding celebration they have planned. Brides are starting to realize that although they may enjoy planning the big day, their wedding day should be a day they can enjoy and not be burdened by executing DIY details, fine-tuning the time line, or putting out unexpected fires.
You Get What You Pay For....Wedding planners come in all shapes and sizes and the emergence of "Day of Management" often times can create a bit of confusion. I don't know any professional planner that can, will, or could coordinate your wedding in a day. If you are choosing to work with a "Day of Wedding Manager," here are a few tips to keep in mind.
The best wedding management is offered by companies or planners that have been around for a while. Many of the area's best planners offer these services in addition to full service or design services and when it comes to your wedding, there is no substitute for experience. A rookie planner may seem like a bargain, but when the power goes out, the band does not show up, or the kitchen has issues, a professional who faces these challenges on a weekly basis can save the day with one or two phone calls from their Blackberry while a less experienced planner may not be able to rise to the occasion.

It's All in the Planning

Your "Day of Manager" is there to execute the wedding you plan; however, in order to do this successfully, they need to be prepared and ask the right questions. Just like a full service planner, a good "Day of Manager" will be prepared. They will have an in-depth questionnaire so they can quickly familiarize themselves with the details of your celebration. A detailed questionnaire should include all the vendors that they will need to manage on your wedding day, key family and wedding party members that play a vital role, and full knowledge about the timing, lay-out, and design details.

Vendor Management

Your "Day of Manager" should be eager to contact your wedding vendors at least a week or two before the celebration. The team needs to work well together and as the leader of the team, it is important they know who they are working with so that they can make sure there is good flow, communication, and cohesion.

Be Well Rehearsed

If your "Day Of" package does not include help facilitating the rehearsal, ask about including this service. The rehearsal is a great time for the "Day Of" person to get introduced to all the key players. By helping to facilitate the rehearsal they can help make last minute changes, fine tune things, but most of all, it allows you to release your role as the planner and have a smooth transition for the vendors, bridal party, and facility.