Best Friends, Wedding Dates: Coordination Or Chaos?

Coordinating a wedding can be a stressful and time-consuming task, so it's no surprise that many couples consider handing over the reins to a friend or family member. While this may seem like a cost-effective solution, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring a professional wedding planner or coordinator. A dedicated wedding planner brings invaluable experience and expertise to the table, ensuring that your big day runs smoothly and seamlessly. They can handle the myriad details and logistics, from managing vendors and creating timelines to dealing with last-minute hiccups, allowing you and your loved ones to fully enjoy the celebration.

On the other hand, asking a friend or family member to take on this role can lead to some challenges. It may place an undue burden on your loved ones, taking away from their ability to relax and savour the occasion. Additionally, a friend or family member may not possess the same level of expertise and connections that a professional wedding planner can offer, potentially leading to more issues and complications.

So, should best friends coordinate each other's wedding dates? While it may be tempting to rely on a well-meaning friend, the advantages of hiring a professional wedding planner often outweigh the costs. By entrusting your special day to an experienced planner, you can rest assured that every detail will be meticulously managed, allowing you and your loved ones to create lasting memories.

Guests may have to choose between the two weddings

If two best friends decide to have their weddings close to each other on the calendar, it's likely that they will share some mutual friends and family members. This can put guests in an awkward position, having to choose between the two weddings.

To avoid this, the couples could consider sharing their guest lists and wedding dates with each other. This way, they can try to coordinate and avoid any clashes that would force guests to choose between the two weddings.

Even if the weddings are not held on the same day, guests may still feel obliged to attend both, especially if they are close to the couples. This could mean that guests are attending or travelling to wedding events on consecutive days, which can be tiring and expensive.

It is worth noting that, on average, around 60 to 85% of invited guests RSVP "yes" to weddings. This percentage is even higher for weddings that do not require much travel. Therefore, it is likely that a good number of guests will attend both weddings if they are held close together, which can be a financial strain.

To alleviate this issue, the couples could consider discussing their guest lists and wedding dates early in the planning process. This way, they can try to find a solution that works for everyone and avoids putting guests in an uncomfortable position.

Ultimately, the decision of when to hold their weddings is up to the couples, and they may decide that having their weddings close together is more important than avoiding guest list clashes. In this case, guests will have to accept that they may need to choose between the two weddings and plan their attendance accordingly.

Friends should be free from responsibility

Planning a wedding can be stressful. There are many details to consider, from flowers and decor to schedules and logistics. While friends and family members may offer to help, it is important to remember that they should be free from the responsibility of coordinating your wedding. Here are a few reasons why:

Time to Relax and Celebrate

Friends and family should be able to relax and enjoy the wedding celebrations without the added pressure of coordinating the event. They should be able to celebrate your special day with you, not spend it managing decor, communicating with vendors, and directing the timeline. By hiring a professional wedding planner or coordinator, you can ensure that your loved ones can truly be present and enjoy the day.

Professionalism and Experience

A professional wedding planner or coordinator brings invaluable expertise and experience to the table. They have the training and intuition to anticipate potential issues and ensure your wedding day runs smoothly. They can also provide valuable vendor recommendations and create a seamless timeline for the big day. Their professionalism and assertiveness can help wrangle your wedding party without stepping on any toes or creating awkwardness among friends and family.

Socializing vs. Coordinating

When a friend or family member takes on the role of coordinating your wedding, they often get caught up in the social aspect of the event and may not be able to fully focus on their coordinating responsibilities. This could result in some small or significant details affecting the aesthetic, flow, or timeline of your wedding. A professional wedding planner, on the other hand, will be dedicated to ensuring that everything runs according to plan and can quickly adapt to any changes or last-minute requests.

Stress-Free Experience

Hiring a professional wedding planner or coordinator can significantly reduce the stress and pressure on you and your loved ones. They can handle all the logistics and last-minute details, allowing you and your friends and family to enjoy the day without worrying about the behind-the-scenes aspects. A professional will also have the necessary tools and resources to create a seamless timeline and keep everything organized, from vendor management to setup and breakdown.

Enjoy the Moments

By freeing your friends and family from the responsibility of coordinating your wedding, you allow them to create memories with you. They can join you in getting ready, stand by your side as you say your vows, and celebrate during cocktail hour and dinner without constantly worrying about the next task on their to-do list. Your friends and family can be fully present and enjoy all the special moments of your wedding day.

Wedding planners are experienced

Wedding planners are experts in their field, and their experience is invaluable to couples planning their big day. They have the know-how to make the process seamless and easy, and can save couples time, money, energy and stress.

A wedding planner's experience means they have an extensive network of contacts and suppliers, and they can use their industry insider status to get the best deals, ensuring couples stay within budget. They can also save couples from having to spend hours researching and contacting vendors, as they already know exactly which vendors will suit the couple's event and budget.

The experience of a wedding planner means they can create a seamless timeline for the day, and ensure everything runs on time. They can coordinate all the moving parts, from caterers to florists, photographers, musicians and more. They can also manage setup and breakdown, and ensure all vendors have the information they need to work together as a well-functioning team.

Wedding planners are also able to provide a couple with a realistic idea of how much their wedding will cost, and help them to stick to their budget. They can also assist with other events, such as the rehearsal dinner, next-day brunch, and wedding-morning activities.

The experience of a wedding planner means they can provide couples with peace of mind, allowing them to relax and enjoy their day, knowing that any issues will be dealt with efficiently and discreetly.

Friends may not have the time to enjoy the wedding

Coordinating a wedding is a lot of work, and there are many reasons why it's best left to a professional. Friends and family should be free to relax and enjoy the day, rather than having to take on the responsibility of ensuring everything runs smoothly.

A friend coordinating your wedding might not have the time to enjoy the celebration. They will be busy managing decor, communicating with vendors, and directing the timeline. They won't have much downtime to join in the fun and might miss out on important moments like getting ready with the wedding party or enjoying cocktail hour.

• Creating and managing timelines for vendors and the wedding party
• Ensuring everyone is where they need to be, from the wedding party to guests
• Communicating with and directing vendors such as caterers, photographers, and florists
• Troubleshooting any issues that arise, such as a collapsed wedding cake
• Ensuring a seamless flow from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception
• Managing setup and breakdown, including delivery and setup of flowers and bouquets, and returning rented items
• Keeping the timing and pace of the day flowing smoothly, from lining up the wedding party to ensuring champagne is poured for toasts

Hiring a professional wedding coordinator will ensure that your friends and family, including the friend who might have offered to help, can truly enjoy your special day without the stress of coordinating all the details. They can be in the moment and celebrate with you, creating memories that they will cherish.

Wedding planners can enforce timelines

Wedding planners can create a seamless flow from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception. They are experts at herding people and keeping things running on time.

A wedding planner will ensure that everything happens when it should, from the bridal party walking down the aisle to the cutting of the cake. They will keep things running smoothly and ensure that there are no long gaps between events that leave guests wondering what is supposed to happen next.

A professional wedding planner will have created a detailed timeline for the day, and will be able to enforce it in a friendly way. They will know exactly when the bridal party needs to be where, and will ensure that everyone is on time and presentable. They will also be able to coordinate all the different vendors, from the caterers to the band, and ensure that they are where they need to be and are set up correctly.

A wedding planner will also be able to anticipate any potential hiccups and deal with them swiftly and efficiently, thanks to their experience and the relationships they have built with local vendors. They will know what the venue needs to be informed of, and will be able to create a seamless timeline for the day.

In short, a wedding planner will ensure that the day runs like clockwork, allowing the happy couple and their guests to relax and enjoy the celebration.

Frequently asked questions