i’m like switzerland

i’ve had quite the trend of comments from potential clients lately:  

“[Family members] suggested delegate but knowing [our families] someone will get offended, or they will feel like they are being too pushy” 
“There are ladies from the church that can help, but I have no idea if they know what they’re doing”
“I need someone who is not emotionally attached to people at the wedding”
“My [family member] was going to be my DOC but I need someone neutral”

motherland of heidzilla, renee zellweger, roger federer and martina hingis.

it seems that the number one reason why local brides are considering hiring me is for one thing: neutrality. (you know, like switzerland. also, side note:  i’m swiss! both sides of my family have swiss origins, but that’s not exactly the point i’m making.)   but, how true! that’s the reason why i had a day of coordinator. it’s important to have someone whose mission for the day is to execute your plans, your visions the way you and your fiance wanted — not how your mom always wanted you to do it but you wouldn’t agree with her… or how your church has just always done it…. or how your fiance’s great aunt’s step daughter did it when she was a wedding planner in the late ’80s… (nothing against the ’80s. well, maybe a few things…)

aquanet, anyone?

first you have to think, do you really want to inconvenience any of your family members? while many may be willing to help, don’t you want them to be guests on your big day, not semi-vendors? secondly, do you want to watch your tone if you need to start “barking” out orders to your wedding-day-family-member-helper? (that doesn’t abbreviate as well as “DOC” does it?) how awkward would it be if you are just trying to speed something up, or get part of your day *just* right and you need to be emphatic (and even bossy) to your new husband’s favorite aunt or his cousin-who-is-practically-his-sibling? do you really want to start your new life as their family member that way? 

monster in law?

now if you had me, there are no touchy/snappy requests when you ask me, as a *hired* vendor, to be at your beck and call. there are no questions of others’ preferences on your big day, i will know what you want and do it the way you and your fiance planned.  seriously how many opposite opinions have you already gotten from your or your fiance’s family members? while it’s great that everyone wants to help, you have to stop and think– if there is a big problem, or even a small question that pops up, will this person do it your way, or the way they wanted it all along? will THEY get offended when you tell them to do it your way? and… if so, will they pick on you for being a “bridezilla” when they “were just trying to help” during every holiday for the next ten years? with me, i’ll know your way,  or i’ll take your cues, and you don’t even have to send me a holiday card!!!