Weddingbee

In my post about wedding planners yesterday, reader Nhi commented:

As a follow-up, for you brides who are hiring coordinators, how much did you spend (and what level of service did you receive, e.g., “day of,” “semi-hands on,” or take my money and run”). THANKS!!

I think I hired my wedding planners - Leslie and Eyal from In Any Event - about a month or two before the wedding. We had an off season wedding so we were very lucky to get both the principal partners present on the day of - usually it’s one principal and an assistant.

Although I hired them for day of coordination, they went far above and beyond just day of. They…

1. referred me to paebaek place (traditional Korean ceremony) who did such a great job - most people told me it was their favorite part of the wedding!
2. took me to the garment district and help me choose linens. We got a fantastic price on them too!
3. went with me to our florist to see our sample centerpieces.
4. referred the band we booked.
5. referred a judge which we booked.
6. came to my apartment the night before the wedding to pick up programs, favors, menus, etc. anything that needed to be set up.
7. did everything for day-of-coordinated the schedule, rehearsal…

They took care of the little things that we weren’t prepared for - they brought a steamer for the bridesmaids dresses (a lifesaver); when my cake had hideous orange piping (instead of red), they covered it with a white ribbon they brought; when my parents got stuck in the elevator at the end of the night, they waited with us until the firemen got them out… They probably did even more but I’m not remembering!

But most of all, they were there any time I had a question about anything from the day I booked them. They were the first to arrive at the venue on the wedding day and they were the last to leave. Because I had been working so closely with them from the beginning, I trusted them - I didn’t have to worry about anything day-of… I knew they would take care of it. That peace of mind was priceless.

Not only that, Eyal matched his tie to our color scheme. Now that’s service.

Unfortunately they no longer offer day of coordination, but at the time I paid $1500 for their services. Well worth every last penny.

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