You have no idea how excited I am to share this blog post about wedding coordinating with you! My amazing friend and past Kelsey Renee Bride, Alisa, is sharing her expertise as a wedding coordinator! I’ve been asked many times if brides should have or if they need a coordinator. I couldn’t think of a BETTER person to answer these questions for us as she’s the pro! Let’s dive in:
Give a little intro about yourself: who you are, how long have you been in business, what services you offer, etc.
Hi, my name is Alisa Brandt and I am the owner of Alisa Marie Co, specializing in Wedding Coordinating. I’m based out of Elizabethtown, PA but have gotten the privilege of traveling to so many beautiful venues! I have been married for almost two years to my wonderful husband, Adam. We love traveling together, playing games, and watching a good movie. We also were lucky enough to be a #KRPCouple, which you can browse our wedding day here!
I coordinated my first wedding in May 2015 but officially started my business in August 2016. Since then, I have coordinated over sixty weddings so far. My business started at a time where a lot of my friends were getting married. They needed someone on the wedding day to coordinate their timeline and be the point person that day. I quickly fell in love with all of the wedding details and how appreciative and wonderful my couples were.
Currently, I offer services for both wedding planning and coordinating, that’s broken down into three different packages. However, there are always optional add-ons. It’s always wonderful to talk with the bride and groom to see specifically how I can be of service on the wedding day. Then I can put together a package that works for them!
photograph by Kylee B Photography
What is the difference between Wedding Planning and Wedding Coordinating?
Both of these words are used in place of each other sometimes but they actually have two different meanings. A wedding planner helps plan and pick the special elements of a wedding. They come alongside you from the very beginning of helping you with your budget, picking your vendor team, working on the design elements of your wedding, etc. A coordinator takes the planning you have already done yourself and makes sure it comes to life on the wedding day!
Should brides hire both a Wedding Planner and Coordinator?
No, brides will hire either a wedding planner or a wedding coordinator depending on how much help they would like throughout the planning process. Some couples prefer to do most of the planning themselves. If their budget doesn’t support hiring a wedding planner, they often find that they need a coordinator instead.
What are the benefits of hiring a Wedding Coordinator?
Hiring a wedding coordinator allows you to thoroughly enjoy your wedding day without having to worry about a thing or lift a finger. BUT it also allows your parents to enjoy your wedding!! So often after having an initial conversation with a couple, I will hear them say, “well my mom will take care of that on the wedding day.” I’m sure your parents are willing to help on your wedding day but would rather trust someone else with those responsibilities so they can be fully present!
I’ve also personally done this before so I recommend that you have someone on your “team” that can help you navigate through wedding planning! I think you’ll find that it’s super helpful! Also, as the wedding coordinator, I will ask the bride specific questions that they might not have thought about before while they continue planning your big day!
left photo by Heather Marie Leicy, right photo by Kelsey Renee Photography
What if my wedding venue already has a venue coordinator?
Couples assume that because their venue provides a coordinator they don’t need to hire one themselves. There tends to be a little misunderstanding about what a venue coordinators’ roles are. Sometimes the venues provide a coordinator at an additional cost and they do stand in as a typical wedding coordinator would.
Most times the coordinator is provided and they are there to watch
over the venue and take care of the venue’s needs. For example, helping your guest to park, making sure tables and chairs are set properly according to your floor plan, checking to make sure the restrooms have toilet paper, and adjusting the temperature and lights throughout the evening.
Instead of using the word venue coordinator we like to say event manager. Usually that helps to clarify things but it all goes back to checking with your venue to see exactly what your venue coordinator or event manager handles throughout the day! I always like to say, I work for the bride and not the venue. But we do work very closely with the venue event manager!
What is the typical process of a coordinator?
For my coordinating services, my main focus is working on a wedding day timeline for the couple. First, I make sure they have selected all of their vendors. Secondly, I have them fill out a short questionnaire which helps me to create a tentative timeline. Those timelines get more concrete once we do a venue meeting in the final months leading up to the wedding. (This helps us to visualize your decor and timeline while being in the physical space)! Third, I make sure to connect with your vendors prior to the wedding and help coordinate both your rehearsal and wedding day! I am always there from start to finish answering any questions you might have :)
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