The big day is approaching, and after having dedicated so much time to the planning and perfecting of every aspect of your wedding (not to mention the money), do you dare leave the execution of these details to chance? You are the bride and should be carrying a bouquet not a clipboard! You will need to have someone that can be responsible for putting all of the elements and details in place on the wedding day.

To accommodate these needs, a service that has grown tremendously in popularity is "Month Of" and "Day Of" wedding coordination. These services can take this pressure off of you and allow you to enjoy your wedding day without worry.

"Month Of" and "Day Of" coordinators can be hired for your wedding day at any time during the planning, but generally don't "jump into" your planning until 1-2 months prior to the wedding day. At this point the coordinator will be assisting you in pulling together an itinerary, confirming vendor commitments and double-checking the details, decisions, and services that you have already contracted for. The coordinator will be working with the information you give her to formulate a master plan for the entire day, so that you can rest assured that the details are in place and the event is being managed by a professional. Because these services are not as extensive as a coordination package that covers all the planning from beginning to end, "Month Of" and "Day Of" is a very budget friendly way to get peace of mind on your wedding day.

When beginning the search for a "Month Of" or "Day Of" wedding coordinator, you may find yourself with a number of questions. First of all, wedding coordinators use many different titles (Wedding Coordinator, Event Producer, Event Designer, Wedding Director, etc.), as well as a myriad of titles for their range of services (Wedding Day Service, Wedding Day Direction, "Month Of" and "Day Of"). Ask specific questions of these coordinators to determine if they offer the service that you are looking for.

Secondly, you may be wondering what is the difference between the catering manager at the hotel and a (personal) wedding coordinator? Wedding coordinators offer a different range of services than these other professionals. Specifically a coordinator is working for you, not the hotel or location, and he/she is there to see that your wishes and requests are carried out as well as to assist in planning that is not related to the hotel or location. Ask the staff at your wedding location what they will and won't do to determine your additional needs. Coordinators will work with the personnel at your ceremony and/or reception venue to ease the planning process and provide you peace of mind.

What does this cost? Just as there are many titles for wedding coordinators, there are many different fee structures. It will take some investigating to find a coordinator that fits your needs, and that is within your budget. Typically, pricing ranges from $750.00 to $3,000+ for "Month Of" and "Day Of" services. The number of years of experience, geographical location of the wedding coordinator and typical clientele are just a few items that will affect price. The price will also be determined by a number of specific factors and details related to your wedding. Not all coordinators offer these services, but most do. You can use the Internet, local bridal magazines, bridal shows and referrals from other vendors to find a wedding coordinator. You may also call the Association of Bridal Consultants for referrals, 860-355-0464, www.bridalassn.com.

Typical examples of services that a wedding coordinator would provide for a "Month Of" or "Day Of" wedding service

"Month Of" Services
Referrals to wedding day vendors (optional)
Access to consultant for related questions (via phone or email)
Meeting with client to develop a timeline for the wedding day Confirmation of vendor commitments for the wedding day
Direction of the rehearsal
Distribution of timeline to necessary vendors and wedding party
Coordination and direction of wedding day events (set hours)

"Day Of" Services
Direction of the rehearsal
Distribution of timeline to wedding party (as prepared by bride)
Coordination and direction of wedding day events (set hours)

NOTE: For "Day Of" service, the bride will take the responsibility of preparing a timeline, confirming details and commitments with vendors, and all other related duties. The consultant will carry out the duties based upon the brides planning and preparations. In these instances where the consultant has no previous interaction with vendors, the consultant is only as good as the information the bride provides.

Whether you are planning a wedding that is big or small, casual or formal, the knowledge, professionalism, and assistance a wedding coordinator can provide for you, is well worth the cost. Of course most wedding consultants also offer more detailed planning assistance as well, but "Month Of" and "Day Of" services offer invaluable planning assistance that every bride can benefit from.

© Copyright Holly LeFevre

If you're looking for additional information and last minute ideas, you should attend one of the ever-popular BrideWord Expos. BrideWorld hosts events where you can meet with dozens upon dozens of wedding professionals face-to-face, who have the experience to answer your toughest questions.