Wedding Wise Wednesday – Wedding Zones and Zen (Los Angeles Wedding Planner)

Taken from my Kindle Book, DIY Your D.O.C. – The Silver Charm System for Do-It-Yourself Day-of Coordination:

I always say that Wedding Planning isn’t  just a checklist; it’s a state of mind. That goes double on the actual wedding day.

State of Mind: Wedding day coordination is all about working the zones and working your Zen. What do I mean by zones? Think of each segment of the day – Pre-Wedding, Set-up, Ceremony, Cocktail hour, Reception, and Breakdown, as a separate zone. They take place in different locations; they have their own designated periods of time, and are under the control of different vendors. Just as you are your couple’s back up and guide, these vendors are yours. Get one thought in your head: If you don’t know what the best thing is to do when faced with any challenge, you are surrounded by vendors who have had enough experience to give you suggestions. Ask for them.
Ask.
Ask.
Always ask.
Don’t be scared that you’re going to look stupid. Don’t be ashamed that you’re in charge, and you don’t know what to do. The most valuable thing you do know is to ask for help.

The Zen? Like life, coordinating a wedding is 10% of what’s actually happening, and 90% of how you deal with it. I know, it’s a cliché, but it’s totally true. Now, I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy, or something won’t go off-track, or that it’s not going to be a really long day. It won’t, it will, and it certainly can be. And when it feels like it’s going sideways, don’t panic, it’s a waste of time.  A panicked mind cannot make a rational decision, and the fight or flight response doesn’t really work during a wedding!