Ask the Expert

Meet Alyssa Bane, our event coordinator for our wedding venue, The Silo in the Square. She is an expert at crafting unforgettable weddings. From intimate gatherings to lavish personalized weddings, Bane has mastered the art of seamless event design, stress-free planning, and personalized details. She has joined our WV Weddings team as our resident planning expert and is ready to answer your questions. In this column, she shares expert advice, insider tips, and creative solutions to help you navigate every step of your wedding journey. Have a question? Ask away—because your perfect day starts with expert planning! 

Wedding Planner vs. Day-Of Coordinator: What’s the Difference?

Many couples assume a day-of coordinator and a wedding planner are the same, but they play very different roles. A wedding planner is involved from the very beginning—helping with budgets, venues, vendors, design, invitations, timelines, and overall event flow. They manage every detail leading up to and including the big day. A day-of coordinator, on the other hand, ensures everything runs smoothly on the wedding day. They execute your plans, coordinate vendors, manage the timeline, and handle last-minute details the day of the wedding.

Do I need a day-of coordinator? (You do!)

On your wedding day, the only thing you should be focused on is soaking up the magic, not stressing over timelines. That’s where a day-of coordinator comes in! A day-of coordinator oversees the full execution of all event plans on the day of the event. Because let’s be honest, you can’t be in two places at once. You can’t fix your hair and make sure the flowers are set up perfectly. And do you really want to be wearing a watch on your wedding day? With a day-of coordinator, your family and friends get to relax and enjoy the celebration as well, instead of running around handling logistics. So go ahead, breathe easy and enjoy your day—your coordinator’s got it covered! 

Should I tour more than one venue a day? 

I always tell couples: One venue per day is best. Touring too many at once leads to brain fog, info overload, and unnecessary stress. Trust me, they all start blending together. Venue managers will throw a ton of details your way, so give yourself time to process, compare pros and cons, and actually remember what you loved. If you must tour two in a day, take good notes and leave space between for discussion. Also, don’t rush into venue hunting right after getting engaged. Enjoy the moment and talk with your partner about your vision, budget, and must-haves first. Knowing what you want makes the search way smoother—and way more fun!

What is the standard tipping protocol for vendors? 

While tipping isn’t required, it’s a much-appreciated way to thank the people who worked hard to make your big day flawless—especially if they went above and beyond. There’s no set rule, but a good guide is 15–20% for planners, stylists, caterers, bartenders, and waitstaff, while photographers, DJs, officiants, florists, and other vendors typically receive $50–$250 per team member (check contracts first—gratuity may already be included). You can discreetly hand tips in an envelope at the end of the night with a little “Thank You” note, and don’t forget to give them a glowing review online! If cash tips aren’t in the budget, a small gift or social media shout-out is also a thoughtful way to show your appreciation. 

• Officiants $100–$500
• Photographers/Videographers $50–$250 per team member
• Florists and DJs $50–$150 
• Cake designer and other service providers $50–$100 
• Staff members helping with your set-up $10–$50 per person
• Seamstress $20–$30
• Make-up artist, hair stylist 15–20%
• Planners and day-of coordinators 15–20% 
• Caterer, waitstaff, bartenders 15–20%