It takes a village to put on a wedding, even if you’ve got a really good wedding planner. There are lots of moving parts to this party, which is what makes the celebration so special. What would it be without the cake or the meal, the flowers or the centerpieces, the beloved guests?
One person, whether that’s a hired wedding planner or you, can’t do it all. You need help. But where to get it?
It starts with one important question:
Is this task best suited to a friend or a professional?
Some wedding duties require a lot of time, and it can be unfair to ask a member of the wedding party or another friend to take on something like that. They’re glad to be there for you, of course, but keep in mind they’re already taking time away from home and possibly work, and they’ve spent money on a gift, travel, and maybe, as a member of the wedding party, a dress or a tux they’ll never wear again.
Not to get all dramatic (because weddings are drama-free zones, right?), but by asking for more of their time, you could be putting the friendships at risk.
Of course, this depends on the relationship, and that’s something only you can judge. If a friend asks how he can help, by all means, give him something to do. If the task requires specific knowledge and skill or a lot of time, hire someone to do it. Your friends will be relieved and you’ll be happier with the results. (If you ask your sister to bake the cake and it turns out lopsided, what happens next? I just know it’s not something you’re going to want photos of.)
With that in mind, you’ll want to hire, assign, beg, or bribe someone to do the following (often overlooked) tasks on your wedding day:
Manage the Gifts
This is a three-part project. First, if you have any welcome gifts for your guests, you’ll need someone to leave them at the hotels or arrange them at the reception.
Second, your wedding gifts need to make it from the reception to wherever you intend to open them. Third, your gifts might need to make another trip from the opening location to your home (or, in some unfortunate cases, back to the store).
Help the Photographer
I have a special interest in this one. It’s really handy when there’s someone who can identify important friends and family members so I can be sure to get plenty of photos of them, and so they show up in the right group photos. It would be a bummer if a wedding crasher looks so much like you that I assume she’s your sister and take photos of her all night, only to discover that you don’t know her and she didn’t even leave a gift. (This has never happened, but I try to stay prepared. We live in interesting times.)
It’s also easier to get people organized for group photos when I can call them by name. The designated helper/expert on your family can jog my memory for those names.
Run Last-Minute Errands
There’s always something. Whether someone forgot her shoes or an uncle is stranded at the airport, it helps to have one person designated to deal with these circumstances. That way, someone is on it as soon as the situation arises, rather than making you take time away from getting ready to find someone who can do the task. It makes a potentially stressful situation far less stressful.
Of course, the burden of some of these tasks (which could end up being bigger than expected, especially in the case of the errand runner) can be alleviated with a thoughtful gift and a thank you note. In the end, your friends will be happy to know they helped make your day so special.
For more helpful tips and tricks for your wedding day, click here to download my free guide: How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer.