Wedding planners - It's not all swans and ice sculptures!

The release of Confetti has brought a fairly new concept to British film weddings, the role of a wedding planner. The American film industry has brought us Franck in Father of the Bride and even Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner. Do films like this give couples an accurate impression of the role of a wedding planner? Unfortunately these films often suggest that only very rich people hire planners, and you have to have a very elaborate wedding!

With the average wedding taking 250 hours to plan and the majority of couples working full-time, hiring a wedding planner can be invaluable. So how do we change the Hollywood image? I think a more apt term than “wedding planner” is “wedding coordinator” as planner can conjure up images of someone who completely takes over control. Perhaps “wedding coordinator” would be a more apt description. A coordinator should work together with a couple to make their wedding day as stress free as possible and to do much of the hard work for them. How much they do entirely depends on what the couple needs.

One comparison is the relationship between a PA and a Director. The PA is employed to assist the Director and help as much or as little as needed from day to day but the Director retains control. The PA would never make important decisions without approval from the Director. They are there to make life easier, to save time and help ensure everything runs smoothly. PA’s are trained for their role and have experience helping to find solutions to the kinds of issues that directors face in the same way that coordinators have for brides and grooms with their weddings. This is the same as the relationship between a couple and a wedding coordinator. And of course, even very small companies have assistants!

Oxfordshire based wedding coordinator Vickie Cook of Weddings By Vickie is hoping to help change the stereotype. Vickie is hoping to show couples that wedding coordinators are friendly and not overbearing. They are suitable for all couples; you don’t have to be planning a lavish wedding with a large budget.

Weddings By Vickie offer a tailor-made service so that couples only pay for what they need. Whether that is a helping hand, coordination on the day or a full coordination package, there is something to suit everyone.

“Hiring a wedding coordinator can take away the stress often involved in planning a wedding. They can offer money saving ideas using their knowledge of the industry and local suppliers. Unlike venue coordinators, your wedding coordinator will work for you and they are committed to making your day magical”

The growth in the wedding planning industry is a reflection of a changing society. Couples are looking for ways to retain what little free time they have without compromising on their dreams and expectations.