As a wedding photographer, I’ve been to so many unique weddings. Some planned and organized by the bride and groom, some organized by a family member and some planned and organized by a wedding planner.

I enjoy working weddings with wedding planners. When there isn’t one, I find myself picking up minor wedding coordination roles, like developing schedules and letting couples know when they should do certain things. It’s nice to pass that on to a professional planner.

Wedding planners are so much more than schedulers and time keepers, though. I had the chance to sit down with Kari at Notably Yours Weddings & Events last week to talk with her about what goes into her job.

What is the most important thing you do for couples?

I feel that it is so important to offer the couples, and parents, a piece of mind for their special day. The amount of stress that they all are able to remove during the wedding process and on the wedding, day is incredible and help them have more fun as it becomes more memorable. 

I think this would have to range from fanning the couples in the July heat; gathering cold waters (but with disposable straws for the bride to not mess up her lip stick), to helping her change heels while walking the property for photos; making sure they eat / remain hydrated for the day,  and serving them their dinner meal first as I make sure my client take their time to eat. These small tasks add up, but they are also so worth it to take care of our couples, as we should.

Is there something you do that couples don’t realize you do?

This would be to take care of each of the “behind the scenes” tasks, that truly reflect the entire wedding day itself. The ability to bring together many vendors for each individual wedding and ensure that each person completes their job for the couple and in the most efficient way. We provide a piece of mind, that we are there to fully ensure and fulfill the couples’ true vision. I have had a caterer arrive with the incorrect meal selections; a baker bringing the incorrect stand, and dinner napkins having the incorrect fold after all details were confirmed; and we always fix the details before the bride could ever know something was wrong. 

What is something you wish couples knew about wedding coordinators?

We aren’t always so serious and we love to have fun too!! There is a difference form a wedding coordinator to a wedding planner. As a wedding planner, we are very involved within the planning process. We are

experienced and continue our education to assist them better with classes / courses, throughout the year. 

What is the most frequently asked question you get?

How many weddings do we plan a year? Answer: beginning = 15-20, average = 25-30 common =32-36

What is your favorite part of your job?

This is a hard one!! I love design, so the planning and décor meetings I feel like I can live for! However, from the start to finish, this would have to be, when we have begun the processional and everyone is down the aisle and I go to get the bride, then the fathers always have one final moment with their daughters. We then fix her veil, flowers, and train, and watch her go towards her soon to be husband. It is such a special moment!!

Why is it important for couples to hire a wedding coordinator?

There are so many factors and details that are over looked and reflect on the vision, schedule, and the flow of the wedding day. We focus on the design, logistics, and communication throughout the planning process. Our number one rule is, “There should never be any assuming”. Some common factors are that, the ceremony begins late, or someone didn’t finish hair and makeup because they were setting up, or the tables have the incorrect linen sizes and much more. We are here to help and ensure that no small or large detail is over looked.

How early should couples book you?

The best time frame for any wedding service, is to book no less than six months. If you are having a full planning wedding planner, then you should seek about booking he / she nine months to one year from the wedding.

What was your favorite (to date) wedding to worked on?

This is hard! I would say our Plunkett wedding in June of 2020 at The Carriage House or The Amundsen Wedding in February of 2020 at Big Sky Barn. The amount of love that poured from both families was truly amazing! The kindness and efforts shown from all sides did not go unnoticed. We have such amazing vendors, food, desserts, and the design was so beautiful!  

Is there anything else you would want couples to know?

• To pay for a wedding planner will truly make all efforts so much simpler, and in the beginning, not the last three months. We are here to help and to offer wedding education along the way to help understand the logistics and the reasons of why we do things.
• We are here to have fun as well; we love our jobs and we love to help! 
• Communication is key!
• Be different! It is ok to have more or “different” things are your wedding, they are about the TWO OF YOU.