Questions

Question #1: I get asked a lot of questions but the top of the list is "I've seen the movies and shows, but really, do I need a wedding coordinator?"

The answer is that it depends on your personality, time, resources and the type of event you want. For many people these days there simply isn't time to enjoy yourself, have your day-to-day life, sleep, and plan a wedding. Often just getting the first three is hard to do without adding the task of organizing a big occasion. So the unfortunate reality is that something has to give way for the planning and it's usually either sleep or your enjoyment of life, the alternative to this is, of course, to outsource the worry and much of the legwork to a planner and coordinator. Yes the trade off is that she will cost more money than doing it yourself, but that money is buying you freedom from stress and more sleep at night. In addition many brides feel a great deal of pressure to have a "perfect" event, yet have a limited experience with organizing group activities of this nature or on this scale. Here again a planner is a great stress reducer as she has the benefit of having witnessed the great variety of decisions that comes with a wedding, common pitfalls and work-arounds, and great money-saving tricks.

For those with the extra time and who relish the thought of all the research and decision making that accompany a big event a planner may not be a great option, likewise those on a small budget may prefer to do it themselves. Many in these groups still choose coordination, but have those services tailored to fill in gaps that they find difficult or distasteful.

Question #2: You keep saying "planner" and "coordinator". What's the difference?

In a practical sense none, most people in the field do both regardless of what their job title says. However, if you want to get technical, a planner plans things ahead of time while a coordinator coordinates between entities, generally during the actual event itself.

I offer both planning and coordination services, and am happy to do both jobs for you, but depending on your situation you can use me for just one or the other. For instance if you want to do all of the planning yourself but just need someone to 'run the show' at the event, I offer day-of coordination services which start with a meeting only a few weeks before your event. If however you have chosen a venue which includes an on-site coordinator for the event, but find yourself over-whelmed with all the details leading up to the day, I can also provide you with advance planning services which would end when I handed all the details to your site coordinator at the rehearsal.

Question #3: Who are you?

Sorry; forgot to introduce myself: I'm Erin Peterson, coordinator and owner of Erin's Engagements (I know, you'd never have guessed from our name). I started out as an event coordinator for a local banquet hall and wedding chapel. Over time I started doing outside events for family, friends, and friends of friends because I wanted the greater challenge that a variety of locations, styles and budgets brings. Nowadays my favorite part of being a coordinator is finding out the secret vision a bride and groom have and helping them see that vision come true—even (especially!) when that means doing something a little different.