I know what it's like to plan a wedding and be overwhelmed with everything that your budget needs to cover. And when you've never planned a wedding before, it can be hard to make good decisions, because you honestly don't know what the best option is and what the ramifications of that choice will be. That's one of the reasons I always recommend that my brides hire a professional wedding planner.

Today I wanted to focus on what happens when a couple doesn't hire a planner or a day of coordinator for their wedding: the photographer kind of becomes the coordinator. And that's not always in the couple's best interest.

Don't get me wrong. I love helping my couples put together their wedding day timelines. I will make sure things keep moving throughout the portrait time. I will tell the girls how to hold their bouquets and advise the bride and groom on how to cut the cake. I will work with the DJ or band throughout the reception to make sure we're on the same page with the parent dances and the bouquet and garter toss.

Sounds like a day of coordinator right?

But what if the cake cutting set goes missing? What about keeping the girls on track during hair and makeup? What about set up and take down of the reception? What about pinning on those pesky boutonnieres? What if the groom forgets his vows in the hotel room? What if a vendor is running late?

A photographer can't handle these sorts of things. But a day of coordinator can.

And I can only give advice on a small part of the timeline... the part that affects the photography! How long will it take for hair and makeup? When should the cake arrive? What about bustling the dress before the reception? A coordinator's opinion is so valuable!

A day of coordinator not only manages things that go wrong on the wedding day and keeps the timeline on track, but she helps the day run more smoothly. She might ask the caterers to provide a plate of appetizers for the bridal party during cocktail hour. She's a pro with boutonnieres! She will make sure your gifts are loaded into the right vehicle and your 'something borrowed' gets back to your aunt at the end of the night.

When my couples hire a wedding planner or day of coordinator, they are able to ENJOY their wedding day more. And they get the best possible photography experience from me, because I am completely focused on photographing the wedding day.

On a related note, local Hampton Roads wedding planners, Emily Weddings, recently posted a fabulous article about the difference between a venue coordinator and a day of coordinator.

Looking for a wedding photographer? I still have a few weekends open for this year! Shoot me an email here with your names, wedding date and location!

Want more Tips for Brides?
Makeup: Splurge or Save?
How to be Inspired by Pinterest
Do I Really Need a Wedding Coordinator?
Because They Hired a Wedding Planner
Secret Jobs of a Wedding Planner
6 Things Wedding Guests Will Love
The Importance of the Stupid Wedding Decisions
10 Things That Should be on Your To Do List
Choosing Your Bridal Party
Taking Time Off
Wedding Day Emergency Kit