Wedding Planning and Design

I hope the blog posts we have provided since April have provided lots of useful information as you continue your wedding journey! This next set of series will have a little twist to them. We have partnered with a few friendors (Friend Vendors) and asked them about their contribution to a couple’s wedding journey experience and the importance of each part of their contribution. Each person we have spoken with provides details from their perspective and some thoughtful questions that couples can ask themselves when deciding on this particular vendor. Up next, we spoke with Courtney-Rose from Dantus and Co Events all things Wedding Planning and Design for your wedding day. Let’s Dive in!

Wedding Planner vs. Wedding Manager vs. Venue Coordinator

So this title is a lot, right? Already have to understand the difference between all three. But no worries, Courtney-Rose is here to help break it down.

The first question that should be asked is:

What do you, as a couple, value the most? Is it your time? Or saving money?
If the answer is saving money, then Wedding Manager or even Venue Coordinator might be in your realm but let’s break down their services.

Wedding Manager:

This is also known as a Day of Coordinator. They are here for you approximately 6 to 8 weeks prior to your wedding day. The level of support includes: 

• Work with the couple to prepare the schedule for the day of the wedding and  manage the vendors you as a couple have already booked. 
• Navigate guest issues and questions and manage the flow of the day. 
• Reach out to the vendors the couple has booked to confirm their arrival and needs on the day of the wedding.
• Prepares and shares the timeline. 
• Serve as the point of contact for all vendors in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
• Supervise set up and break down.

Venue Coordinator:

Venue Coordinator is primarily responsible for the venue

• Make sure lights are on. 
• Doors unlocked for events. 
• Help direct load in and load out.
• Some do offer coordination services but it can be an additional fee.

Courtney-Rose has a wonderful FAQ page that discusses more in detail why a venue coordinator is a great addition to your day but you still need a Wedding Manager for the day.

When you hire a Day of Coordinator or Wedding Manager, keep in mind that EVERYTHING that needs to happen prior to 6 to 8 weeks out, will be the responsibility of the couple. This means you will need to hire all the vendors including finding and securing your own venue, selecting a caterer, hiring other vendors, investment tracking etc. Yes you are saving money but it does eat into your time.

If the answer is you value your time more, then a Full Wedding Planner is what you should be looking into.

Full Wedding Planner:

Provides a stress-free wedding journey experience from beginning to end. Services include 

• Managing everything from day one for the wedding planning/design
• Provides access to high-demand wedding vendors 
• How the day is going to look and feel 
• Facilitating sending invitations and RSVPs
•  Floor plans and design layouts 
• The primary Point of Contact for vendors throughout the whole planning process.
• Same level of support day of and execution of the event
  • Managing guests’ questions or concerns. Honestly making sure no one bothers the couple for the day
• Break down and set up
• Managing guests questions

The list goes on and on. As mentioned above, having a Full Wedding Planner makes the wedding planning experience exciting and fun vs. overwhelming and not fun. 

On average Courtney-Rose spends 300 hours for your Full Wedding Day offerings and on average you should hire your Full Wedding Planner 12-18 months prior to the time you would like to get married. 

Benefits of a Full Wedding Planner:

A great benefit with hiring a Full Wedding Planner is that they are well versed in the world of wedding planning, designing and execution. They also provide a bird’s eye view of how your wedding day will be and flow. A lot of times as a couple you are viewing things from eye level and might not have that overarching view. That is definitely where your Full Wedding Planner comes in.

With all this being said it is SUPER important that you have someone there for your wedding day. If you decide not to invest in any of the above, this means that family or friends need to be there for you or you can look to your wedding party to help move things along. It is definitely possible but make sure you level-set expectations for said family member, friend and or wedding party. It may not be possible for them to help with your planning as well as be by your side in your wedding party.

Tune in later for Part 2 of All things Wedding Planning and Design.

Courtney-Rose Dantus is the Founder and Principal Planner of Dantus & Co. Events, a wedding planning company for modern, multicultural couples in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond. She is passionate about creating modern, refined and personalized weddings that reflect her couples’ values and help them forge new traditions together.

Courtney-Rose has been planning weddings professionally since 2012. Her wedding planning training includes several years of experience working for two of the top luxury wedding planners in the Washington, D.C. area. She has an extensive background in communications and project management.

https://www.dantusandco.com/

If you’re interested in working with Tori Del Photography, feel free to visit our website. www.toridelphotography.com

Your wedding photographer shouldn’t be a stranger on your wedding day. Tori Del Photography creates a personal/lasting relationship by supporting you not just on your wedding day but throughout your wedding journey.

This blog is for ALL sophisticated couples madly in love. And when we say ALL we do include our LGBTQIA+ couples because THEY TOO DESERVE to be madly in love. We provide suggestions for your wedding day based on years of experience, partnerships with wedding vendors and the fact that you are NOT alone in this journey. Your dream is possible with a team!