How to get hired as a coordinator's assistant

Assisting a wedding coordinator is one of the best ways into events: you see how a timeline really runs, you meet the vendors, and you get paid while you learn. The hard part is being the person a coordinator thinks of first.

TL;DR: Coordinators hire assistants who are punctual, calm, and easy to brief. Show that with a clear profile: the tasks you can take, your area and your dates, any events you have worked, and a way to reach you fast. Then be exactly as dependable on the first day as you said you would be.

What does a coordinator's assistant actually do?

It depends on the coordinator, which is why you should ask. Typical tasks:

• Setting up the ceremony and reception details from the plan
• Greeting vendors and showing them where to load in
• Keeping the timeline moving: cueing the wedding party, handing out items, tracking who is where
• Handling small problems before the coordinator hears about them
• Packing out and returning rentals or gifts at the end

Our guide to full and partial coordination explains what the lead is responsible for, which helps you see where you fit.

What do coordinators look for?

1. Reliability. On time, every time, with a phone that is charged.
2. Calm. Weddings are loud and emotional. An assistant who does not escalate is worth a great deal.
3. A good brief response. You read the timeline and ask smart questions the day before, not on the day.
4. Appearance and manners. Dress for the venue, and be kind to everyone, including the person you are carrying chairs with.
5. Discretion. What you see in a family's day stays there.

How do you show that without experience?

• Say plainly what you have done: events you have worked, even as a friend of the family, and your role.
• List the tasks you can take without a lecture.
• Be specific about your area and the dates you are open.
• Offer to shadow a lead for a reduced rate on a first date, so they can see you work.

How do you become the one they call again?

Send a short note the next day with something useful: a detail you noticed, a vendor who deserved a thank-you. Keep a list of what each coordinator likes done and do it before you are asked. After three events, ask which dates they want to hold you for.

Where to be found

The Booksui Network has a role for assistants and coordinators. A free profile with your area, your rate and your open dates puts you in front of planners sending a Crew Call that matches. Booksui does not take a cut, and your contact details stay private until you accept a match.

Create your free profile or see who hires assistant coordinators.