"Day-Of" vs. "Month-Of"

3 out of every 5 wedding inquiries that we receive are requests for a "Day-Of" planning package. We personally, along with many other coordinators in the area/industry, do not offer a "Day-Of" package. However, we do offer a "Month-Of" package which is very similar and includes everything you would need in a "Day-Of" package plus a couple aspects to consider that are not typically included in a "Day-Of" package.

From our experience, "Day-Of" packages include the coordination of your rehearsal, ceremony and reception. Sometimes it will include set up of special decor/details as well, but not always. Well what about vendor coordination? What about logistics of the layout and flow of the evening? What about when your final headcount is off because you forgot to include yourself, vendors and/or children? What about when a vendor shows up at a different time because at your initial meeting, your ceremony started at 5:30pm but months later it was moved to 5pm? What about when a big decision has to be made or there is a crisis and it is left up to the coordinator? What about at the end of the night when you or your family are left cleaning up and ensuring vendors are out in time? All of these factors are reasons why we offer "Month-Of" as apposed to "Day-Of." 

There are a lot of wonderful planners out there and in the greater Charlotte area and some do offer "Day-Of" coordination. We are in NO WAY saying to not consider or book them because of that. More-so, we are wanting to educate current and future bride/grooms about the difference between the terms because after speaking with them we often find that brides are looking for more of a Month-Of Package.  Planners and coordinators really do struggle with the whole "Day-Of" vs. "Month-Of" term. "Day-Of" is so commonly referred to and there are some businesses that offer Day-Of and do a great job, however once a bride/groom hears that, it can be a big turn off when we reply and say, "Well we don't offer "Day-Of" but our "Month-Of" package is quite comparable." A lot of times they see that as a higher, more expensive package and feel that they can find a "Day-Of" package with someone else which is not always the case.

We are going to be honest here... we, personally, do not feel that we can take a bride's and/or groom's whole year or 8 month's of planning and fully understand every single detail (small or large) for their special day in just 1-2 weeks. There are SO MANY moving parts and tiny back-end details with logistics during a wedding. To only meet once and prep for a week or so in an effort to make the biggest day of their life perfect gives us anxiety!!! With our Month-Of planning package, we are here as a resource and in communication from the time of booking (even if that is 6 month's prior) until sometimes after the wedding. We encourage our clients to reach out with questions, vendor needs and the small details that keep them up at night. We also ask them to keep our shared wedding portal up-to-date with contracts and proposals so that through-out the entire planning process, we can stay updated and when it comes to our month-out walk through, we are prepared. 

Typically a month or so before a client's big day we request a venue walk-through and meeting. We like to physically walk through the space with the bride and/or groom to fully understand their vision for the day and ensure that the same vision is understood by all vendors. We go through lay out, decor set up and logistics of the night; Where would the dance floor, bar and Photo Booth be best placed for your desired flow? How will we keep the bride hidden from her groom that day during pre-ceremony photos? Where will we stage the wedding party prior to the ceremony while guest are arriving? Where does the wedding party go to hide after the ceremony while guest are clearing the site for photos? Where will we line up the wedding party for introductions? Etc. The LAST thing we want is for a client, or their family/friends, to feel like they are confused as to what to do or feel like it is chaotic. Going through all of these small "behind-the-scene" details before hand really helps with order on the wedding day. 

About a month-out from their big day, we also reach out to all of their vendors to introduce ourselves (if they don't already know us) and to get to know them a bit. We request their contact information, set up time, special set up requirements/details and ask if any final payments are due. This allows us to get a general idea about set up and lets us know if anything is missing. Sometimes a DJ requires a table and linen from the client, sometimes they bring their own. A Photo Booth needs to be by an outlet and sometimes certain locations at the venue are not feasible. Sometimes bartenders need a bar-back table and sometimes they don't. There are A LOT of small details and even changes that come into play a month-out from the wedding and we like to be there for the communication on it all. It is easy for a bride/groom to feel over-whelmed when she has 8 different vendors emailing her/him all at once. We try to avoid feelings of stress, chaos and overwhelm in as may aspects as we can. It should be a great experience from start to finish! We also send all vendors the same layout diagram and detailed itinerary to ensure that everyone is on the same page for the day.

Another big reason that we like to work together in-person a month or more out rather than a week or two is because typically your final headcount is due 2 weeks prior. We like to ensure that everything is taken into consideration for your final numbers. A final headcount is not usually just a plain and simple number. Your ceremony chair count might be 92 while your reception chair count is 100; the reasoning would be because you have 8 people in the wedding party standing up at the alter. Your food count might be 106 while your reception chair count is once again 100; the reasoning would be because you have decided to provide meals for 6 of your vendors. Your final guest count might be 100 while your bar count is 89; the reasoning would be because 11 of those are children under 21. We like to be there to ensure that all the numbers correctly match up and you aren't providing too much or too little. Weddings are already so expensive!!

Lastly, WE LIKE TO GET TO KNOW YOU!!! :) As a coordinator, we are the go-to and often the game-time decision makers. Many clients say, "If anything comes up, just use your best judgement and make the call - I don't want to have to think about or decide on anything!" Wow, that can be a lot of pressure. But it is so much easier if we know the clients a little better and we have had those meetings to go over the flow, atmosphere, look and importance of their big day. 

Again, there are talented coordinators who do offer "Day-Of" and there are some clients who only want/need "Day-Of." There also are coordinators whose "Day-Of" package includes some of the "Month-Of" aspects that I mentioned above. We are NOT saying to not book a "Day-Of", we are simply saying don't be turned off by either terms! When speaking with potential clients, there does seem to be some confusion between the two terms so ask questions, review what is offered in the different packages, think about what is important to you and keep an open mind.