The Role of the Wedding Director
by Barbara Clark, Professional Consultant of
An Elegant Affair

When you think of a wedding director, think of a famous Hollywood director whose job is to have all the actors in place when she shouts "Action." The wedding director is there to orchestrate your event, making sure everyone is in place: the ushers ready to escort the guests to their seats; the musicians waiting to be cued to start the prelude; and the bride and bridesmaids ready in the wings to enter with their beautiful bouquets held just right. The wedding director also creates the reception schedule, gives a copy to the dj, and ensures that the activities such as announcing the wedding party, first dance, and any other special traditions the bride and groom wish to observe happen at the appropriate time.

All the activities mentioned thus far create the energy and flow of the event. Part of the director's job is to keep the party moving. Therefore, the timing of the cocktail hour, the meal being served, the best man's toast, the cake cutting and the dancing, is of utmost importance. You don't want your guests milling around wondering what is going to happen next. You want to have it happening before they ask the question. A good wedding director knows the importance of this and through experience can time everything so the party flows effortlessly. To quote Colin Cowie, the wedding/party planning guru to the rich and famous, "Guests don't notice when timing is working well; they only notice when it's not." This is a fact known by all experienced wedding directors.

The wedding director meets with the bride about two weeks before the wedding and develops a detailed time line for the day of the rehearsal, the wedding day ceremony, and reception. Vendors' arrival times are included in this time line, as well as bridal and bridesmaids' events and appointments, and any wedding weekend activities. The schedule is a very important tool for the wedding party, the families, and also the photographer, chef and other vendors.

Many wedding directors are also wedding consultants. The wedding consultant helps the bride conceptualize and create the vision for her wedding, and then finds the florist, caterer, photographer, musicians/dj, cake baker and reception site to make this vision a reality. The wedding director makes sure the bride's dream wedding is properly executed on the day of the ceremony and reception. Wedding consultants often include directing services as part of the package; however, you can plan the wedding yourself, and then hire a wedding director to oversee the rehearsal and all the events of the wedding day from the ceremony to the reception.

The wedding director gives the bride and her family the chance to really enjoy the wedding without worry. It is the director who is there to handle any unforeseen crises that may arise. Many recent brides would assure you that it is the essential service, and well-worth the price.