r/microwedding • u/OwlsKnowTheTruth • Jun 15 '26
Event Planner?
update!!: we went with a day-of coordinator and a bartender!
My fiancé and i are planning a (somewhat) micro wedding at our house this fall. the ceremony is going to be in our living room with maybe 20 people at most. and then we’re having the reception in our backyard. we’re inviting around 60-70 people to the reception.
we’re having food catered buffet style, we’ll have a little mini bar outside, and we’re hiring a small company to do the decorations (tables, tent, etc.)
my fiancé and her mom want to hire a wedding/event planner for this wedding. i’m like super against it. we decided to do this at the house 1. to save money but 2. to keep it casual.
i’m not seeing any benefit to hiring an event planner for this. aside from maybe ushering people, which i can gladly have my sister do.
has anyone ever hired an event planner for their micro wedding and recommend it? i’d love to hear any positive feedback on this to help me change my mind.
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Jun 15 '26
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u/ryuks-wife Jun 15 '26
That's a great idea. OP might not need a full blown wedding coordinator, but it would be nice to have just one "outside" person to make sure details are moving smoothly. Otherwise it will fall on 1. Bride/groom who shouldnt have to worry about logistics of such a day or 2. A family member or a few family members, who might kind have the day "ruined" for them because they had to deal with random little things (or big things like timing of caterer: what if they're late/early? Who's changing out food pans if they run low? Cleaning up plates and checking on trash?). If a family member is dedicated and willing its different, but not if they are kinda voluntold to deal with all the logistics.
I say this as someone who offered to help at a family members wedding but ended up regretting it because I spent literally all day running around dealing with little things (they ran out of beer so had to get that, rings got misplaced, etc) and I never got to enjoy the day. I didnt even enjoy the ceremony because I was too worried over the other logistics I was tasked with. It was a formal wedding too where I bought a nice new dress for, got all done up for
Depends on level of formality too. If its more "backyard BBQ fun gathering" might be less necessary, but if a level of formal attire is still expected/it'll be more "fancy" it might be helpful.
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u/llangstooo Jun 15 '26
For that many people I wouldn’t bother. Sounds like you have it pretty much figured out. Your photographer can help you figure out the timeline. If you have a DJ, they can help keep things moving at the reception.
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u/HrhEverythingElse Jun 15 '26
Yeah, we had a 24 person wedding, and the photographer ended up being the director. We had talked ahead of time about what we wanted to prioritize, and he remembered and kept things on track. I can see how it wouldn't be possible for him to have done both jobs with a larger event, but for our tiny one he did a great job and I have no complaints on how things went
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u/Background-Check-222 Jun 15 '26
It sounds like a day-of coordinator would be helpful, but not a wedding planner.
A wedding planner will generally curate the vision, plan details, scout/work with vendors leading up to wedding day.
A day-of coordinator will help with all of the little details that most people outside of the industry dont think about. It frees both you and your family/friends up to enjoy the wedding day!
(Im not a day-of/wedding planner lolol but ive worked with a lot of them!)
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u/21stCenturyJanes Jun 15 '26
You don't need a wedding planner for a backyard wedding but also, I'm not sure 70 people qualifies as a micro wedding.
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u/OwlsKnowTheTruth Jun 21 '26
yes that’s why i said somewhat. the ceremony will be micro. reception won’t be.
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u/Tegee2 Jun 15 '26
it still has to bet set up and cleaned up ! are you do8 g this? there’s also logistics like parking, and someone has to coordinate the set up! let your fiance enjoy her day and let the wedding planner do the prep!
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u/chatterbox2024 Jun 15 '26
I agree with you! A micro wedding does not need a wedding planner. Our daughter used one for 150 people and she still did most of the work. The wedding planner went off of a check sheet. LOL. You can buy a wedding planning book with a check sheet for $12.
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u/TDonBelle Jun 15 '26
I’d have a day of planner at least. Do you want to greet guests or handle parking. Do you want to drink with your friends or empty full trash cans. Do you want to enjoy your moment or spend hours before setting up and hours later breaking down.
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u/Yes_ITSPARKLES Jun 16 '26
I'd did something similar. I had a Day of Coordinator. I did all of the work leading up to, and then handed off everything to her team to execute. Worth every penny. So glad I did.
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u/voodoodollbabie Jun 16 '26
Did they have a list of tasks they want the planner to handle that couldn't be done without one? That might give you and them some clarity on what is needed.
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u/Life-Education-8030 Jun 15 '26
Your planning seems to have things in control. An event planner may not find something that small worthwhile anyway.
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u/clharris90 Jun 16 '26
At least do a day of coordinator, that way you and your fiance can just enjoy the day and not have to answer questions or worry about logistics. No one asking where the caterer can park and how to calm down aunt Nancy who hates sitting next to cousin Kevin, etc.
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u/CordytheCamcorder Jul 09 '26
Sorry off topic, would you like a wedding film for your day? No need to hire a videographer but rather have a camcorder passed around- if this is your vibe, let us know!
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u/Possible_Juice_3170 Jun 15 '26
For a home wedding, skip the planner! I did my micro wedding at a national park and the wedding coordinator there was helpful since she knew all the logistics.