Timing Is Everything

If I have learned anything about planning a wedding, it is that timing is everything.  Being a perfectionist with a little OCD sprinkled in, this has been soothing to my soul.  Now, we're not talking about when to book your florist, we're talking when to serve the second course, how long your cocktail hour should be and when to end the party.  Nearly all the celebrity planners I have read (or read about) have said the same thing:  the difference between a good wedding and a great one is not in how much money you spend, but in how well you execute your plan.

Considering most of us are more money-conscious than we would have been just a few years ago, this is good news.  But channeling Steven Spielberg sounds a little more than daunting. I must confess my first wedding I did without a planner, with just my mother and I.  We certainly could do it, but it definitely kept us in organizer mode and firmly out of party mode when the big day finally arrived.  It is my biggest regret about my wedding itself.  It is impossible to be "in" the moment.  So much so, the first words out of my mother's mouth this time were "PLEASE hire a planner.  I can't do it again".

Now, I know most people find planners a total extravagance, however, I DO think that one should consider at the very least a "day of" coordinator.  These professionals will make sure everything runs properly and answer any questions.  Not only will they take the stress of the details off your shoulders, they can expertly assist in planning a smooth, drama free wedding and reception.  They will know how long setup needs to be, seating of guests, transition from space to space.  Depending upon your area, an extra $500 or so is nothing compared to trying to play wedding planner AND bride in one day.

So what do you think?  Are you hiring a planner from start to finish, a "day of" coordinator or flying solo?