Question 1

Why should I hire a day of wedding coordinator?

Accepted Answer

Many couples have no idea how valuable a day of wedding planner is, and after their wedding is over they desperately wish they would have hired one. Don't make that mistake! You make such a monetary and emotional investment in your wedding that hiring a day of wedding planner is like getting insurance. Wedding Coordinators know the industry - they know what vendors are reliable and which are not, how much items should cost, the ins and outs of area venues, etc. The biggest reason to hire a wedding planner is to take the stress away! Your big day should be about LOVE and the person you are marrying - not about remembering to put the custom cocktail napkins out or if the DJ showed up on time. We handle all those worries. Just check out our packages page and see all those line items - if you hire us, you don't have to worry about any of them or make any of your family members deal with it. We have never heard a couple say - man that planner was a mistake! We specialize in Day of Wedding Planning in Palm Beach and South Florida. Many couples plan their whole wedding, but just need someone to assist the day of and that's what we are here for.
 
We can save you money. We have connections within the event industry and often times our favorite vendors will extend discounts to our couples. We pass those savings right along to you. So by hiring us, you will find reliable and experience vendors and save some money.
 
We start working with you a month before your wedding - we gather all the information on the wonderful event you have planned - make sure you didn't miss anything, we work with you to create a timeline, and we confirm all your vendors. That's just before your wedding! You will be so much happier having an expert before your wedding to answer any questions and the day of your wedding to handle all details and any problems that arise! 
 
If you don't believe us, just read our reviews on wedding wire HERE.

Question 2

Is a venue coordinator the same as a wedding coordinator?

Accepted Answer

No. A venue coordinator is strictly that a venue coordinator. They work for the venue, while Hakuna Matata Weddings works only for YOU! There are so many details that venue coordinators don't handle! They’re going to be there on the day of your wedding, but they won’t be there when you need them to bustle your dress (and then fix it when it breaks), hold your bouquet, tell you when to cut the cake, or put your overnight bags in the limo. In fact, many of them go home after dinner is served. We are there throughout the planning process - talking to your vendors, creating timelines, etc. Then, when the big day rolls around, we are there to make sure the wedding machine runs smoothly for the rehearsal and the whole wedding day itself - not just for when the venue is being used. We work hand in hand with the venue coordinator to make sure your dream wedding happens.
 
If your ceremony is going to be in a different location than your reception, then the venue coordinator won't have anything to do with your ceremony. Then think about coordinating transportation to and from locations, etc. That is when hiring a day of planner in Palm Beach or South Florida pays off in a huge way!
 
Click HERE to read a great article explaining the difference.

Question 3

Do you only plan weddings?

Accepted Answer

No, we plan a variety of events. We have years of experience in the corporate event world - planning hundreds of welcome dinners, awards banquets, closing ceremonies etc. From venue rental to table linens to entertainment, you can trust Hakuna Matata Weddings and Events to make any event memorable. Check out our events page for more information.

Question 4

Why should I hire Hakuna Matata Weddings and Events over another planner?

Accepted Answer

You will never find another owner of a company that cares about my clients and their wedding as much as I do. A lot of planners come to be, because they plan their wedding and then try and make a career out of it. I knew I wanted to be a wedding planner from a very young age. I took my time to build experience and education to make sure I was ready to correctly and confidently handle your most important day! I didn't just jump into my business with both eyes closed. I am a planner which permeates in all aspects of my life. Through my education and thousands of events under my belt, I have a trained eye to spot potential issues and solve any problems. With Hakuna Matata, you will get professional, timely, knowledgeable, and caring service. Please call us for a no-commitment consultation to see if we are the right planner for you!

Question 5

Your package offerings aren't exactly what I'm looking for, can you do a custom package?"

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Our wedding package listings are there to give you a good idea of what we can do. If you are doing something outside of the box, we can certainly work up a custom quote for you. Please don't hesitate to ask.

Question 6

How many events do you do per day?

Accepted Answer

We take one event per day and typically only one per weekend. Hakuna Matata Weddings and Events focuses on quality not quantity. That's what makes our business successful and our clients happy! We enjoy spending our time working with you personalizing your wedding or event. We do not overcrowd our schedule so that we can be available for you when you need us.

Question 7

What do wedding coordinators do?

Accepted Answer

We are the middlemen.  We worry about vendors showing up, centerpieces arriving on time, directing guests, and setting up so you don’t have to.

We are the secretary.  We type out and organize timelines, budgets, VIP photo and song lists; we keep track of Vendors and their contact information; and we even help with contract language.

We are a neutral party, a therapist and a mediator.  We really don’t care if Aunt Petunia hates our guts because we didn’t use her friend’s son to be the DJ! We are here to give you exactly what YOU want on YOUR special day!

We see the bigger picture.  When planning a wedding, it is so easy to become overwhelmed with the tiny details, that sometimes the bigger picture can get overlooked.  “OMG, I was so focused on the decorations, I forgot to order the cake!”  We are here to help you take a step back and focus on the details AS WELL AS the bigger picture.

We are your risk mitigators.  Every couple should be able to relax and enjoy their wedding day, and especially be able to enjoy one another.  It’s much harder to do that when you have a million people running up to you with questions and mini disasters when all you want to do is soak up the happiness and enjoy yourselves.  Our job is to handle the questions and mini disasters for you, and make sure you have as many happy moments as humanly possible.

We have access to the best vendors in the area.  You may think, well why would I hire a wedding consultant to contact this vendor when I can just do it myself?  The answer is simple.  Vendors need referrals (just like anyone else in the service industry), and some are even willing to offer you a discount for those referrals.  With the money you save on the discounted photography package or floral arrangements, or even just the time saved in calling around, comparing prices and checking availability, hiring a wedding consultant practically pays for itself!

We are your fixers.  Did the rainy weather ruin your beautiful outdoor setting?  We arrange it indoors, equally as beautiful, in no time flat.  Did a bridesmaid’s hem come loose? We pin it into place. Did you forget to buy a knife and server set? We've got your back.

Question 8

This seems expensive. How do you come up with your fees?

Accepted Answer

Our fees are reflective of our experience in the industry as well as the quality of experience that we provide to our couples. We offer a level of expertise to help guide you throughout those last few months leading up to your wedding day. When couples book with Hakuna Matata Weddings and Events, they know that they are investing in peace of mind, and an unforgettable experience! If you are working within a tight budget, we may be able to create a smaller custom package for your day.

Question 9

I'm on a tight budget, but I've heard wedding planners can save me money. Is this true?"

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wedding Planners can tell you what you need and what you don’t need (aka, that you don’t have to waste money on X, Y, or Z). We know a lot of the players in the game and some vendors pass on discounts to planners that couples booking direct don't receive.  If you really don't have money for one of our packages - we do offer a la carte options for ceremony and reception coordination, set up and tear down. We promise that it will be the BEST money you spend. Wedding Coordinators are here to save you time, money and stress!

Question 10

What is the difference between full service wedding planning, partial planning and day of wedding planning?"

Accepted Answer

We do not offer full service planning- which means the planner is with you from hire date, going to all meetings, and handling every part of the planning process. We do not offer full service planning because Lizzie, the owner and main coordinator, leaves Florida for 5 months of the year to run another seasonal business in Wisconsin, so she would not be able to be at all the necessary meetings. We do, however, offer Partial Planning means that we come in after you have selected your venue and a few of your vendors. We can help give you guidance for your final vendor selections, decor design, and we are available for any questions that come up during the planning process. Day of Wedding Coordination actually starts the month of. We meet with you and gather all of your wedding details. You will leave the meeting with a list of to-dos of things you may have never even thought about. We will create your time line and confirm all the details. Then we are there day of - running the event. We do specialize in Day of Wedding Planning in Palm Beach and South Florida, but we will travel everywhere and we love to work with couple to plan their full wedding!

Question 11

When Should I Book A Day of Planner/Coordinator?

Accepted Answer

Most couples book a month-of wedding coordinator 8-12 months before their wedding. Even though coordination begins about a month before the wedding, availability fills early—especially during peak season. Also I start doing monthly check ins immediately after you sign my contract, so you have access to a planner before the month of begins.

Question 12

Do I still need a wedding coordinator if my venue provides one?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Venue coordinators focus on venue-related responsibilities, while wedding coordinators manage the entire wedding day experience. Having both ensures the venue runs smoothly and your wedding vision is fully executed.

Question 13

What's the difference between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator?

Accepted Answer

The main difference is when they step in and what they handle
.
A wedding planner typically works with couples from the beginning of the planning process. This often includes helping choose a venue, sourcing and booking vendors, managing the budget, and making design decisions throughout the entire planning journey.

A wedding coordinator steps in closer to the wedding date — usually in the final month. A coordinator’s role is to take everything you’ve already planned and execute it seamlessly. This includes confirming vendor logistics, creating a detailed wedding-day timeline, managing setup and breakdown of personal items, handling last-minute issues, and staying with you throughout the wedding day so you don’t have to manage anything yourself.

Many couples use the term “wedding planner” to describe both roles, but they serve different purposes. If you’ve already booked your venue and vendors and want professional support to bring it all together, a wedding coordinator is typically the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently asked questions