| What is the benefit of hiring a wedding | | | | do everything from telling the wedding party |
| coordinator? A wedding coordinator can be worth | | | | when to walk down the aisle to gathering guests |
| her weight in gold when it comes to planning your | | | | for the cake cutting. |
| wedding. There are two main purposes to hiring a | | | | Now, how do you find such a person? |
| professional wedding coordinator: discounts with | | | | Interview her. Find out how many weddings she's |
| vendors and freeing up your time. | | | | planned. Ask her what she will do for you. |
| Here is a guide to choosing the right wedding | | | | Ask for references, and check them. Go to the |
| coordinator. | | | | vendors and ask about her reputation. Also, |
| Understand the wedding coordinator's job. | | | | contact the Better Business Bureau to check her |
| She is responsible for organizing your event down | | | | record. |
| to the most minor detail. A good wedding | | | | Go to one of her events (if possible). This can |
| coordinator will interview you to find out your likes | | | | really give you a picture of her performance. |
| and dislikes and your budget. She will develop a | | | | Negotiate the fee. Wedding coordinators are paid |
| budget and timeline for the wedding. It's her job | | | | in three different ways: |
| to keep everyone on schedule and handle all the | | | | |
| frustrating negotiations and nit picky details. Here | | | | 1. Her service is free to you, and vendors pay a |
| is a small list of her duties: | | | | percentage of the cost of goods to her for |
| · Develop the schedule, and let you know | | | | bringing them business. Be careful with this option |
| what needs to be done when. | | | | because you may not get the best prices on |
| · Help you develop your budget by giving | | | | items for your wedding. You may also get poor |
| you advice on where to spend and where to | | | | service. |
| scrimp. | | | | 2. A percentage of the entire wedding budget is |
| · Get you the lowest prices with vendors. | | | | paid to the planner. This usually ranges from 15 to |
| · Take care of paying vendors or letting | | | | 20 percent. The percentage payment option is a |
| you know when payment is due. | | | | good plan for expensive, elaborate weddings. A |
| · Assist you in choosing a menu for the | | | | good rule of thumb is to consider this if the |
| wedding reception. She will know what foods will | | | | wedding is over $25,000. |
| be best for you and your guests. | | | | 3. A flat fee is the most common type of |
| · Help you select items such as the cake, | | | | payment option for wedding coordinators. You'll |
| decorations, flowers, table linens, favors and other | | | | receive a set number of hours from her for your |
| items necessary for your wedding. She will make | | | | different planning needs. The flat fee payment is |
| sure all these items are where the need to be | | | | the most transparent because you know exactly |
| when they need to be there. | | | | what you are paying for. |
| · Keep the wedding on schedule. She will | | | | |