For some, the idea of getting paid to coordinate weddings may seem like a dream job. Wedding coordinators help build the wedding agenda, including the ceremony, décor, reception, entertainment and more to create a unique experience. But behind the creativity and fun lies a mountain of paperwork, phone calls and logistics.
Wedding coordinators respond to many emails and phone calls from potential brides, current brides and manage a significant volume of files. In fact, the average wedding coordinator at The wedding chapel at Mandalay Bay may coordinate up to 200 weddings each year.
Wedding coordinators are expected to maintain files on each individual wedding, including all relevant logistics to a particular ceremony. He or she may serve as a liaison between their client and other hotel/resort resources, such as catering, concierge services, guest room reservations and other departments.
Wedding Planning Skills
Depending on the volume of events at a hotel or resort, wedding planning may be handled by the conference services and catering department or it may be handled by a dedicated wedding coordinator.
A successful wedding coordinator must be personable, possess strong follow up skills, and able to multi-task, according to Ada Casanova, Assistant Manager at THEwedding chapel at Mandalay Bay.
Multi-tasking skills are critical. “You may be coordinating a ceremony, and then a bride calls you because a boutonniere is missing. You want to make sure that they have had a phenomenal experience because they will share their experience with others,” Casanova explains.
For those interested in wedding coordinator jobs, the good news is that the requirements are frequently viewed as one step above entry level, so this profession is in reach for many who wish to pursue it. Previous experience as a concierge or elsewhere in hotel management.
Wedding coordinators and wedding managers are expected to convey a positive image, have strong interpersonal skills, and maintain a professional, well-groomed image. Similarly to job requirements for other event planning professionals, wedding coordinators must have excellent interpersonal skills, understand budgets and have a strong knowledge of hospitality.
Wedding managers have the added responsibilities of overseeing the wedding coordinators, meeting departmental expectations such as budget and staffing, and ensuring that they effectively represent the hotel/resort.
And everyone is expected to respond quickly to clients. “We have a response time of 24 hours for every email. We work on files 30 days prior [to the wedding] to accommodate work load. We will contact the couple, and finalize the contract,” Casanova adds.
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Tags: Wedding, wedding coordinators, wedding planners, wedding planning