How do you know you have a bona fide coordinator

In a previous post, I discussed the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator. I'm sure you got the [not so] subtle hint that I am a huge proponent of hiring a wedding coordinator. Well, now that you've decided to have
one, how the h-e-double hockey sticks do you know they are a good one?

I'm still new to the whole wedding vendor thing, but I have a few good ideas on how to spot a bona fide wedding coordinator. So, my wonderful
O.C.D.ness and I have created a list for you.

  1. Ability to roll with the punches: Think of your first appointment with a coordinator like a job interview. You're the bossman and the coordinator is the interviewee. Give them
    scenarios and ask them how they would cope. Ask them to tell you about
    a professional situation where they had to improvise, communicate
    effectively with others, or diffuse a problem. You need to know they
    are good on their toes.

  2. Wedding survival tool kit: Every wedding coordinator should have a wedding day survival kit and it should include more than just garment and beauty fix items. [If you missed my survival kit post, click here. It's pretty stinkin' awesome if I do say so myself. Also check out The Original Pink Box to find this super cute tool kit.]

  3. Experience: I don't have a lot of first-hand-by-myself wedding coordinating experience. And I'll be the first one to tell you. However, I'm experienced and skilled in
    other planning/coordinating areas. I have planned and coordinated
    several events from parties to meetings to university functions. I
    have managed co-workers and learned how to dissolve situations through
    working in the hospitality and event industry. These experiences have
    taught me excellent customer service skills and given me grace under
    pressure. Try to look at your planner's whole repertoire of experience
    to make a educated decision. And if you're not sure about something,
    ASK! A good coordinator/planner should be happy and willing to discuss
    their resume with you.

  4. Sense: We all know people that have all the book smarts in the world but not a lick of common sense. Your planner should have common sense AND business sense. You
    want your coordinator to speak professionally and intelligently to the
    other vendors you have hired. Your coordinator will be dealing with
    them on a first hand basis and you don't want to break up a fist
    fight. Sounds like common sense [ha!], but you'd be surprised how
    ditsy people are sometimes. This goes along with #1: Ability to roll
    with the punches.

  5. Your gut: It's hard to do sometimes, but you're first impression and gut reaction to someone are normally spot on. Even if they meet all the other requirements on your
    checklist, do you like them? Do you get that warm, fuzzy feeling? Do
    you want to hold hands and skip through a meadow with them? Also, it's
    O.K. to have a good feeling about a less experienced coordinator
    (a.k.a. someone like me) instead of a stuffy coordinator that can't
    remember you apart from the last five brides she met with. Choose
    someone who you feel wants to genuinely give you a good experience. I
    dearly love planning, coordinating, organizing, being bossy [when I
    need to be], and directing people. I like to give impeccable customer
    service, primarily, because I'm a diagnosed people pleaser. I want my
    clients to evaluate my services and tell me how great I was and that
    they couldn't have done it without me. That means more to me than a
    big fat paycheck [well, almost. They're neck and neck].

I think I've got all those things to make a great coordinator--and it's working out well so far! What do y'all look for in a wedding planner?

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