Why We Don’t Offer “Day-Of” or “Month of” Coordination
(...And why our Mini Coordination makes more sense!)
📸 Photo: Amna Belal @ Naper Settlement
You’ve probably seen planning packages called “day-of” or “month-of” coordination. At first, these sound simple: hire someone to swoop in at the last minute and take over so you can relax.
But here’s the truth: “day-of” coordination doesn’t actually exist.
No planner can show up cold on the morning of your wedding (or even a few weeks before) and run your event smoothly without knowing your vendors, timeline, venue policies, or priorities. Weddings are far too detailed, layered, and personal for that to work well.
📸 Photo: Adamkovi Weddings @ The Library 190
Why Doesn’t it Work?
Lack of Preparation and Context
When coordination begins too late, there’s no chance to fully understand the couple’s vision, vendor team, or priorities. Without that context, a “day-of” coordinator is left reacting instead of confidently guiding, which often leads to confusion and missed details on the wedding day.
Limited Time to Troubleshoot and Adjust
By the time a coordinator steps in at the last minute, it’s often too late to catch or fix small issues that could have been prevented weeks earlier. The couple ends up spending their final stretch explaining details instead of relaxing, and the coordinator can only manage what’s already in motion — not improve it.
Scope Limits and Misaligned Expectations
What’s marketed as “day-of” coordination almost always requires work weeks in advance, from confirming vendors to creating a timeline. Venue staff may help with their space, but not your personal details or décor. So when expectations don’t match reality, couples often find that “day-of” simply isn’t enough.
📸 Photo: Anthony Yoon Photography @ Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
What Couples Actually Want
The truth is, great coordination starts earlier — with wedding management that gives your day the care, communication, and calm it truly deserves.
We have found that when couples ask about “day-of” or “month-of” services, what they truly want is:
Someone to pull all the moving pieces together,
A professional to communicate with vendors,
A timeline that keeps everything running smoothly,
And most importantly, the peace of mind to actually enjoy their wedding day.
That’s exactly what we provide — but we call it something different.
📸 Photo: Joined Purposefully Photography @ Cathedral of St. Raymond
Mini Coordination: Our Version of “Day-of”
At Sholeh Events, we offer Mini Coordination. It includes many of the services people associate with “day-of” or “month-of” coordination — vendor communication, detailed timelines, final walk-throughs, and on-site management.
But here’s where it’s different: we don’t wait until the last minute to start supporting you. From the moment you book, you’re not on your own — you’re guided by our systems, expertise, planning calls, and touchpoints that keep your planning on track.
📸 Photo: Matt Mitrick Photography @ Chicago Club
What You Actually Get with Mini Coordination
Mini Coordination is designed to give you structure and support, without taking over every decision. Here’s what’s included:
3 Key Planning Meetings
Onboarding Meeting (immediately after contract signature)
Mid-Point Check-In
Final Planning Meeting
Planning Toolkit & Guidance
Vendor recommendations tailored to your needs
Access to our Planning Toolkit (extensive worksheets, planning timeline, and resources)
Guidance on etiquette, tricky situations, and cost-savings strategies
Ongoing email communication with your planner
Personalized Planning Documents
Day-of Timeline and Itinerary development
Creation of a comprehensive Day-of Details Document
Worksheets for each planning area
A Planning Timeline to keep you on track
Ceremony & Wedding Day Support
1-hour ceremony rehearsal coordination
Full wedding day management — from setup to teardown:
Set up of personal items
Implementation of timeline
Liaison with all vendors
Distribution of pre-assembled vendor gratuities
Use of our on-site Emergency Supply Kit
Onsite Team
1 Lead Planner
1 Assistant
📸 Photo: Lin Brothers Studio @ The Crawford
Why It Works Better
Instead of offering an unrealistic “day-of” package, we provide Mini Coordination — a service that actually supports your wedding from the moment you sign on with us. You’re never left guessing, scrambling, or worrying that something slipped through the cracks.
By the time your wedding day arrives, you’ll have the tools, the structure, and the professional team you need to feel confident and present — because we’ve been walking alongside you the whole way.
✨ Your wedding deserves more than a last-minute handoff. Mini Coordination is our way of making sure you’re supported from the start, with the systems and guidance that make your day truly seamless.
