Wedding co-ord rant

I hear so many stories about wedding coordinators I really do wonder sometimes.

We had to chase ours for two weeks... so we could pay the final bill. I mean, do they want our money or what?

You will find that most Wedding Coordinators are really sales staff that deal with the weddings. Most weddings are run on the day by the Restaurant manager and the Coordinator is not there on the day and work Mon -Fri.

Has she been like that the whole time if i didnt have just over a month left i would prob sack her for all the above not just cancelling your meeting tomorrow as sometimes things are unavoidable but have you asked about her attending on the day!! maybe thats why she is taking her hours back good luck though x

She's taking her hours back because they have a wedding fair next weekend so she has to work.

I've asked about having a chat with the person that will be incharge on the day, and she said no one else ever has - Honestly I don't care if no-one else has I want to!

I understand she's just a sales person, but I'm a customer and I should be treated with a little good grace.

You should bre informed & in contact with whoever is running your day. Have you spoken to the management?

Which venue are you using?

Its the Royal Hotel in Hull, Its really frustrating because when we booked it it was a fab lady, then she left (and is now working at our 2nd choice venue grrrr) and this woman has taken over.

That's another reason people choose wedding planners to help them, keeping tabs on part time receptionists oops wedding coordinators is a PITA

Do watch out for the next thing that's going to happen - lack of notes = lack of the people on the day actually doing the work knowing what you agreed in your meetings. On top of that, often because the "wedding coordinator" never actually does the weddings, they wont know about the real mechanics of delivering your day

Have a chat with Elizabeth my wife (a HIB on here), who for sure knows all of the tricks they pull

www.creative-wedding-planning.co.uk

And people laugh at me and my control freak tendencies! I'm so glad I'm so organised that everyone is already asking when the timetable for the day will be done lol

Always a problem with Hotels/Venues they have such a high staff turnaround and enevitably you will have at least 2 staff changes during the planning.

We do On the Day Coordination so will have worked with the Bride all the way through and are there on the day all day to ensure that the day runs smoothly & according to how the Bride has planned it.

I would speak to the Management and ask who will be running the day & have a meeting with them so that everything is down on paper.

I work in a hotel and although we do a fair number of weddings throughout the year we don't have a wedding planner as such, two of the management act as functions co-ordinators ie meet with people and discuss options and prices etc and the rest is generally dealt with by the reception and restaurant team. This applies to any event though, weddings, school reunions, retirement dinners etc etc

Can I just mention that I would love to have your wedding co-ordinators job: 9-3 mon-fri??? I've just had my 3rd weekend off of the year, not counting 3 weeks off I've had as holiday (wedding & honeymoon!!!)

Hi,

A lot of hotel wedding co-ordinators only work in the week, but not all. of them. Also many are part-time which can be irritating at times when you need to get hold of them.

The co-ordinator normally collates all the information ready for the person who is running the couples day, well worth asking now who is running and managing your day.

I think its a shame not to have that relationship all the way through, but every organisation is different.

I have a wedding on this Saturday for my couple who I have done the planning for, and there venue co-ordinator is not turning up until 2pm, an hour before my clients wedding, its a good job I am there from 9am to co-ordinate and over see suppliers coming and going. Most importantly making sure my wedding party are relaxed and calm, knowing that every thing is in place.

Totally agree with all of the above! The staff are more than capable of running the day & do it week in and week out.

I too have to agree with the above. You should also have a meeting with the wedding planner and the master of ceremonies (hotel staff who is in charge) before the wedding day (usually in the week before hand. (this isnt the same with all hotels but with most that i deal with.)

The person who will be in charge on the day will generally carry alot of control (management) and so can fix any problems quickly on the day. They can also handle the staff easily and help bring everything together.

I agree I would love those hours 9-3 Mon-friday.

My hours at the moment 6-7days a week, and a typical on the day co-ordination hours are a 16 hour day.

I agree totally annipie, I work at a gym as a chef and very rarely get weekends off as we do a lot of wedding evening do's, christenings, birthday parties etc in our function rooms. and I feel as head Chef I should be there to address any issues as they arise. Why would a wedding co-ord feel any different? especially as all I worry about is the food!

Because often their only job is to answer your questions and sell you stuff (basically keep you onside). If they had to "work at a wedding" they would have to personally deliver on all the things they promised you

The other issue with these "coordinators" is that really the roll is quite undefined. Some take it seriously, document everything and follow things through. Others really approach it as a sales role, where someone else delivers. Often the whole thing falls over on the details

"I wanted my sashes tied like this"

Of course we are also making the working assumption that the "Saturday team", actually read the notes

Also be really aware that if you are in a venue where there are 2 wedding parties, often some areas of the grounds / building may have been promised to you... (and the other bride) I have been in the situation where I wanted to take my bride for a balcony shot, to have the other bride refuse to let her in that part of the hotel - essentially, nothing was written down, and it was "very awkward" on the day where it really need not have been

I have had the same with the outside grounds at a couple of venue's too - fighting to get my bride where she had been promised it was OK to take the photographs

Thats pretty much my T&C's aswell, but the nerve of the woman to make me feel stupid for asking to meet the person that'll be incharge on my wedding day really boiled my p*ss.

Her assistant however is lovely and just rang me back to tell me that she (the assistant not useless co-ord) will meet me at the prearranged time tomorrow and if the head chef isn't busy in the kitchen will pop in to put my mind at ease (I have a few young relatives with allergies, special dietry things). Unfortunatly for her I have spent the day writing several A4 pages of lists, instructions and questions... they possibly shouldn't have irritated me!!!

My hotel wedding co-ordinator made me feel stupid when I asked for written quote before we paid our deposit, saying that she sends out a confirmation with the costs once the deposit is paid and sounded surprised when I said that I didnt want to pay a deposit before I had something in writing! She then gave me a quote written on a scrappy bit of paper! I'm considering getting an on the day coordinator even if the hotel coordinator is going to be there on the day.

I know Elizabeth covers Sheffield (it's pretty local, and way too close to the shops!) - give her a call - ****

Paperwork before paying is always essential

Kezza & Aecy speak to your venue I am sure they are more than capable of doing their job. If it is included in their T&C's then they will do as they state, they can't afford not to!

Google for Pics of your venue dressed for a wedding and if possible try & get some reviews from real brides. Unless anyone on here has actually worked at your venue or had a wedding there then we can't comment on the service etc.

It's worth noting that many (not all) venues use the terms 'wedding co-ordinator' and 'MC' very loosely. Often, the people assuming those roles, are reluctant venue staff with little to no experience. A true wedding co-ordinator or MC that you engage yourself would take the role much further and provide a much more professional service.

If it makes you feel any better one of my friends who got married a couple of years ago didn't find out until the day before that the wedding co-ordinator wouldn't be there on the day! However, the staff at the hotel were great, everything went smoothly and it was a lovely wedding.