Pablo Abulaik Photography

I often get asked the question:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEDDING PLANNER, WEDDING COORDINATOR, AND DAY-OF PLANNER?

Professionals in the wedding business all have the same intention of providing you with a seamless, stressfree day, however it is important to know the difference between the roles when researching assistance.
All wedding planners are coordinators. Not all coordinators are wedding planners.

Wedding Planners
Despite what you may have heard, did you know that hiring a wedding planner (also called a wedding consultant) can be a huge help and save you money? If you’re planning on hiring a wedding planner, you’ll want to do so as soon as you start planning. They’ll help you search for the perfect venue and find great vendors that will fit within your planning budget. (In fact, a great planner will have relationships with vendors and will often be able to introduce you to professionals that maybe you could not find on your own.) Once you’ve booked your vendors, they’ll oversee the relationships with each, and help pull everything together. The wedding planner generally steps you through every process ranging from invitations, bridal gowns, tuxedo rentals to guest accommodations, welcome gifts, and total design of the event.

Wedding Coordinators
A wedding coordinator is a lot like a wedding planner, in that they help you organize and pull together your wedding details, but they may not handle quite as much as the traditional planner would. For example, your planner will sit down from day one to help you dream up the wedding colors, style, and decor theme and help you negotiate contracts and book vendors, whereas the coordinator may just stick to finalizing all your vendor business after you’ve made the major decisions. They will most likely handle contracted work primarily, but are not always limited to this only. Be sure you’re clear on the extent of the services they’re willing to provide when you interview them to make sure you’re going to receive all the support you’re expecting.

Day-of Coordinators
A day-of coordinator helps you get everything done on your actual wedding day, but isn’t really involved before the big day. You meet beforehand to fill them in on who’s who and what’s what and exactly how you’d like the day to play out. They will then be in charge of handling all of your vendors and set-up on the day of your wedding, as well as any type of clean-up or post wedding duties needed, so that you and your family members can just relax and enjoy the day. A bride who plans to be very hands-on in her planning process will love the idea of a day-of coordinator. It allows her to enjoy all the ups and downs of the planning, without having to worry about seeing it all through until the very end.

Smells of wondrous cuisine, Scharffenberger Champagne, and  the essence of fragrant lilac’s,  topped off with one of the most stunning sunsets on the Mendocino coast. These were a few of the elements that set the mood for Brianna and Phil’s private dinner for two in the rustic cliff house this Saturday night.

This was the finale of their weekend Romantic getaway that the couple won during our March giveaway for choosing Mendocino as their wedding destination.

 We are so excited to offer this great package for small dinner parties, elopements, or just a great girl’s night out!

Congratulations to Brianna and Phil that will be married on July 10, 2010.

Cassandra Young Photography

Cassandra Young Photography

I often times receive wonderful words of gratitude from couples after being a part in creating their special day, I  reflect on the fact that I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to assist them in such a blissful time of their life.

I will share some testimonials from 2009 that I do hold dear to my heart.

Craig Evans Photography

 Sonya, There are not enough words to express the thanks I have for you! I never thought I would be the girl  that dreams of a big wedding or worries about the little details, but I became that girl when I got engaged. I started dreaming of this perfect wedding… 16 months later you made my dream wedding come true. I would have never been able to do this without you. You are this bride’s fairy godmother!        ~Kyle and Kelly

Dick Whetstone photography

Thank you for organizing such a beautiful celebration for us with our families and friends. I could not have dreamed of a better place than the overlook for our ceremony. Everything was perfect without much effort or worry on my part. Thank you again for the excellent work that you did ~ David and Lisa 

I just wanted to thank you so much for all of you hard work.  You were awesome…to say the least….couldn’t have done it without you.

                                                            ~Gordon and Christina May 2009

Cassandra Young photography

Thank you so much for the everything! You have been such a pleasure to work with, and have made this experience so beautiful,meaningful, and joyous. We are so grateful to have had your guideance during such a special time in our lives.

                                                                                    ~Philip & Lisa

Perlman Photography

Perlman Photography

Dear Sonya,

We are so grateful for your love and support in putting together a wonderful wedding over this past year. You have been so incredibly thoughtful through every moment and we both know we could have never pulled this off without you! Your tireless work and effort means so much. ~ Lincoln & Amy

Thank you so much for your help with our wedding. You were the backbone who brought all the pieces together. You are a beautiful generous friend.

                                                                                    Ling and Alise

Couples who elope often do so because they want a small wedding. They want to keep things simple, intimate and trés romantique.

Mendocino Weddings offers a Small Weddings and Elopements package for weddings up to 20 people. We take care of all the organizational details for small weddings. You choose and reserve the B&B or Hotel, bring the marriage license, and we will do the rest. We offer many locations to choose from for the perfect ceremony.

A small earth-friendly wedding was the goal of this bride and groom. David and Lisa stayed at the Stanford Inn for the fabulous vegan fare. They chose a vegan cake from Melinda Ellis Cakes and

selected flowers grown locally by Susy Kitahara. The bride went to Mendocino Beauty where they offer all non-animal products; Amy Wall at MB is well-known for her natural Mendocino look.

They held their ceremony at The Overlook so that they could walk, forsaking motorized transporta

tion.

Mendocino is a great location for elopements all year ’round. In the winter there are cozy indoor settings in front of a fire, spring is delightful with gardens coming to life, summer vows on the

headlands or beach are idyllic and autumn on the coast is known for its exquisite weather.

Another couple eloped to the charming, little town of Elk on the coast south of Mendocino.

The vendors for this simple yet elegant wedding were: Cake by Jennifer Arana, flowers by Rosa at L&R Farms and photos by Cassandra Young Photography. The couple lodged and dined at the delightful Harbor House in Elk.