Wedding coordinator's checklist

It's interesting:
"You know, I’ve been to lots of great weddings, but today may have been the best. The small, ornate chapel – the beautiful music – the sincere words that Paul and Linda wrote themselves. Ladies and gentlemen, we all witnessed something very special."

A wedding coordinator plays a very important role in guiding the couple to manage and implement all the tasks required to host a successful wedding. The wedding coordinator also assists with wedding etiquette. Having a checklist will help you keep track of all the different roles and responsibilities required of a wedding coordinator, as well as help you handle just about any hurdle that occurs during the event.

1. Create the Time Line

   • Create a time line of all important events during the wedding planning period to help stay on top of time-sensitive tasks. Knowing and following the time line will help keep the wedding planning folder organized. Examples of tasks to include in the time line are: when to book the venue and the vendors (photographer, band/entertainment, florist and caterers)- when to mail out the "save the date" notifications and wedding invitations and when to plan bachelorette and bachelor parties. When you are booking vendors, it is important to do research to make sure you get the best deals and services.

   Create the Budget

   • It is very important to create the budget before you spend any money. Start with a budget worksheet, such as an Excel spreadsheet, and separate items based on total percentage and category.

     According to information from Real Simple, reception costs average about 50 percent of the budget, which includes venue, equipment rental, food and service, beverages, cake and other miscellaneous fees. The wedding attire averages about 10 percent, which includes wedding gown and alterations, headpiece, veil and any other accessories, hair and makeup, the groom's tuxedo or suit and any other accessories or miscellaneous attire fees.

     Flowers and decorations average about 10 percent of the total budget- music/entertainment cost about 10 percent- photographer and videographer, 10 percent- favors and gifts, three percent and ceremony, stationery/invitations and wedding rings should each be about two percent of the total budget. Finally, transportation usualy averages about one percent of the total budget.

     Of course, these are just guidelines and can change depending on each wedding you plan.

   Tasks for the Week of the Wedding

   • About a week or two before the actual wedding, it is helpful to go through the wedding folder and take care of as many remaining items as you can to save stress on the bride and groom on their wedding day. Reconfirm arrival times with all vendors- delegate small wedding day tasks to your assistants or close friends and family- send a final time line of the wedding day to the bridal party so everyone is on the same page- make arrangements for the wedding dress to be picked up- provide the photographer with a list of moments the bride and groom would like captured and send the final guest count to the caterer and venues.

Source: www.ehow.com

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