Selecting Wedding Vendors: A Helping Hand

Hiring an wedding coordinator is a great way to save time and energy. Many offer varying degrees of service, from simply finding wedding vendors for you to overseeing your wedding so that you and your family have nothing to do but enjoy.

Good wedding coordinators have only your interests in mind. They will help you create an affordable budget. They deal with wedding vendors every day and understand the aspects of each vendor's business. They should reviewed all contracts and make sure that expectations are met and quoted prices are honored.

A good wedding coordinator can serve as family counselor for nervous brides and their mothers, as well as a best friend. Many belong to professional organizations and attend extensive seminars to learn all aspects of event planning. Experienced wedding coordinators are aware of current prices and will make sure you are not overcharged.

Choosing the Right Wedding Coordinator:

• You should feel completely comfortable with the wedding coordinator and assured that this person fully understands what you want and can accommodate you. Your personalities should click!
• Find out how long the wedding coordinator has been in business. Be wary of former brides who, remembering the fun they had planning their own weddings, feel they are experienced enough to call themselves "wedding coordinators."

Money Matters:

Prices depend on the extent of the wedding coordinator's service. You can request "mini" consultations for simply helping with the budget, advising on etiquette, or finding a location. Or you can request your coordinator to assist with all of the wedding planning, including overseeing the actual event. Service is based on an hourly rate or a fixed price. Fees in the San Francisco Greater Bay Area average about $75 to $150 per hour; complete wedding service can run into several thousand of dollars.