Paying for an intangible service

Okay, I've got to give a little talk here - no soap box, no mega phone - just me hoping to shed light on my perspective, why we charge what we do for our services and how Day of Coordination isn't a tangible service, but is well worth placing it in your list of vendors to hire for your wedding day.

When potential clients contact me, it’s typically because they've:

a) been referred from pleased past clients

b)  heard good things about me through the grapevine

or

c) searched online and found that I come up on top for "Hamilton Wedding Planner (or Coordinator)"

Once I get an inquiry, I get back to them with details about Day of Coordination, the length of time required to execute the services and the fee. Brides that know the value in having a certified professional on site to execute their details will reply back fairly promptly and take up my offer to meet to see if we’re a good fit. Most of my Brides are organized, detail oriented and your typical Type A personalities – and I love them for it! They know what they want, and they know how to get it – by hiring a Coordinator to do all of the tasks they can’t on their wedding day. But then there are the Brides that want to have a Coordinator, but don't want to pay for our quality services. This bothers me.

On location during the photo shoot for
newlyweds Brooke & Richard.

Day of Coordination services are typically 35-40 hours of service, with 12, sometimes 14 of those hours being executed on your wedding day. Other than your DJ and Photographer, who else works for you that long on your wedding day? Brides will pay more for their flowers and cake than they will for our services – so this is where my tangible and intangible piece comes into play.

You'll pay big bucks for a DJ, and for your investment you will hear the tunes pumpin’ all night.
You’ll pay more than enough for your cake, which will be dropped off, displayed and likely not eaten.
You’ll pay hundreds, sometimes thousands for your flowers, which yes, are beautiful - but at the end of the night end up thrown out, or given to guests during the famous centrepiece giveaway.



So, when I inform Brides about my fee and they want to negotiate or flat out say I'm too expensive, I think this (and maybe I should start saying this too)....

Our services are not tangible like those mentioned above. You can't touch, eat or smell what we do – but we're there working for you the whole time. We’re the ones that keep you calm and organized, and keep your wedding party and guests on time for key events. We’re the ones that pick up garbage from photo shoot locations, and make sure the washrooms are always clean and stocked. We fix your hair, veil and dress. We set-up your details, and take them down. We coordinate timing and services with all of your vendors, and make sure they're providing the services you're paying for. We coordinate your rehearsal, ceremony, photo shoot and reception. We communicate with your DJ and MC to make sure the speeches occur on time and in order. We work together with the catering staff to ensure dinner is served promptly and correctly. We wear many hats during the execution of the services, and we are always working. We trouble shoot, solve issues and above all, do all that we can to give you a memorable event.

So, do you see the value in having a Day of Coordinator? Check out our Applause page for what some of our past clients have to say. An experienced Day of Coordinator is worth the cost, and worth adding to your list of vendors to make your day magical.

I guess in the end, you can consider our tangible item to be the amount of stress we take away from you and your future hubby. Now, I think that's better than any song, slice of cake or flower.

* Image taken by Unveil Photography

We're offering NEW services!!

We're so excited to announce that we're now offering NEW services to better meet the needs of Brides & Grooms in the Hamilton, Ontario area.

Our most popular service, Day of Coordination will continue to book quickly, but to help those couples that don't think they need a professional on site ALL day, we're happily offering other services such as;

Set-Up:

Because you can't be two places at once, we'll take care of the set-up for your reception. While you're getting ready for your big day, you won't need to worry about the fine details like placing your escort cards, place cards, table numbers, menus, favours and any other elements you've planned.


Ceremony Coordination:

Weddings are all about bringing people together to celebrate the love and union of the Bride & Groom. Ceremonies are like a small production with a director, a choreographer and cast. We're there to assist you for when you say "I do."


Reception Coordination:

We drastically reduce stress for you, your Groom, wedding party and family members by managing the logistics that are included in hosting a reception.



Our website is currently being referbished by the lovely and fabulously helpful team at Lea Tea Designs, so be sure to check back soon for the refreshed look highlighting our NEW services!

Good manners go a long way....

We're all brought up to know the difference between good behaviour and bad behaviour. It's amazing how a little good manners can go a long way....they can make someones day!

In one day, I was thanked by two previous clients and it made me feel great! Everyone wants to hear that they did a good job - that they helped someone achieve a goal, and that they were successful. It's the "thank you's" that I hear and read from my clients that is the icing on the cake for my services. Sure, seeing the details come together, the guests having fun and the Bride & Groom laughing are fantastic -  but to actually be thanked is another way I  feel rewarded.

Brides, I encourage you to send an email, card or even extend a phone call to all of your vendors after your wedding day to let them know how much you appreciated their efforts. Say "please" and "thank you".
Help others and let others know how they have helped you..because a little good manners goes a long way.

$100 off Day of Coordination Services

Weddings can be expensive - and stressful. We know that Bride's like to save money wherever they can - so just like last year, we're offering $100 off  Day of Coordination services if booked before December 31st, 2010.

This is a great discount if you're a Bride that knows she wants a certified Coordinator on location for her wedding. Having your very own "Bride's Butler" ensures that all of your details are executed as you've planned them and envisioned them. We're there to work for you - to coordinate your rehearsal, pay your vendors, set-up your reception site, guide your photoshoot and to take care of any troubles or changes that arise. To learn more about why you should hire a Planner, visit our website.

Book your Day of Coordination services now and save even further as our Friendors often offer discounts to clients of The Bride's Butler. Give us a call, or send us an email - we'd love to chat with you about how we can work together on the most important day of your life.

"The Versus Series" Part I

Full Wedding Planning versus Day of Coordination.

Both are services provided and executed by a Wedding Planner (sometimes also known as a Wedding Coordinator). Depending on your budget, personality and expectations for your special day will depend on what service you choose.

Full Wedding Planning is a service that’s best suited for couples that know what kind of wedding they want, but have little time (and sometimes patience, energy and desire) to get it all completed in a set timeframe.

Sometimes, we see Brides who are very laid back choose this option, as they’d rather have someone make all the decisions for them. Other Brides that like the Full Wedding Planning service are ones that don’t have any family or friends living in the city they will wed (thus your Planner becomes your new BFF), and sometimes this service is used by Brides whom are getting married away – either in another city (perhaps the Groom’s hometown) or in another country (beach wedding).

Wedding Planners (WP) are hired for this service to help Brides & Grooms with all of the event logistics, details and decisions. From aiding in theme development, to choosing vendors – this service is typically started 12-14 months from the wedding date. Your Wedding Planner can arrange meetings with vendors, review contracts and help you create your budget & timeline.

This service also includes your Wedding Planner being on-site for your wedding day. She’ll be with you as you get ready, and for the ceremony, pictures and reception. She’s there to troubleshoot any logistics that may go array, and they most likely will – a wedding is a major event – stuff happens. Having a Wedding Planner working for you ensures that you can enjoy your day as a Bride and savor each moment with your Groom.

Then, there is Day of Coordination. This service is great for DYI Brides whom have planned their entire wedding themselves but want a Planner make their wedding planning dreams a reality.

This service is typically booked 8-12 months in advance, but the real ‘magic’ doesn’t start until 3-4 months before your big day. Your Wedding Planner will meet with you for a logistical meeting consisting of gathering all components of your event. You will work together to form a timeline for the day, and will go over every detail with a fine tooth comb – from your venue floorplan, to the placement of your favors, guest book and menu cards. She will get all of your vendor information and copies of all contracts, and will get information for ‘key’ players in your wedding like the Limo Driver, Officiant and Best Man. The Wedding Planner (WP) is there to work for you to ensure that all of your hard work, time and money are executed in a way that you’ve always imagined.

If you have any questions about either of these services, please send us and email or give us a call. We’d love to meet with you to decide which service is best suited for you.


* pictures courtesy of Images of You Photography
* post inspired by post by Every Last Detail