Are you considering hiring a planner or coordinator for your big day? Are you unsure if it is the right thing for you?

As a wedding photographer I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing coordinators! I thought I’d include a Q+A with one of my favorites so you could have some basic information about wedding coordination when you are considering hiring one for your big day!

Megan Harris-Burman is the team leader for her company, MH Events and is one of the most organized, professional and level-headed coordinators I’ve ever worked with. Check our her bio at the end of the page for contact information if you are looking for an amazing person to help plan and coordinate your wedding!

Q+A with Morgan from

MH Events:

What is your favorite thing about being a wedding coordinator?

“Oh wowza this one is hard because there are so many things I love about being a coordinator. I think the best part is being behind the scenes for the private moments that no one else gets to see. We see the way love and joy manifests in real time and there is something so special and life-changing about that. “

-M.H.

When a couple is considering whether a coordinator is something they should include in their wedding plans and budget, what types of things would be beneficial for them to think about?

“There are so many things to consider when you’re planning your wedding. What I always like to remind people of is that you are only one person. You can only physically and emotionally take so much and the more set up, logistics and wedding planning you handle, the less room it leaves for genuine interaction and feeling the gravity of the moment on that day. Your wedding goes by so dang fast and you don’t need other worries bogging you down. Let someone else handle your set up, make sure things go smoothly and check in with your vendors before the big day. At the very least you’re free to just be fabulous all day. If you want help with more than just the basics, we are here for you there too!”

-M.H.

Can you give one or two examples of a wedding you planned or coordinated for which you were able to go above and beyond for the couple to create a truly amazing experience? 

“A few years ago a couple of mine had a very ill family member. Everyone was devastated and for a brief second it looked like they may not be able to attend the wedding. So, the caterer and I threw together a last minute ceremony and small family dinner a few days before the wedding so their nearest and dearest could gather and just celebrate being together. It was so emotional and so beautiful. That family member ended up being able to attend the wedding a few days later and so they got to experience those moments together twice and I will never forget what a gift they gave to me letting me be a part of that. “

-M.H.

What is the number one reason couples seek to add a coordinator or planner to their wedding day?

“Weddings are super stressful and it turns out they are a TON of work. There's a definite reason why I can make a full time job out of planning weddings and sometimes folks just don't have the time to take all of that on! I think more and more we are realizing that the moments we get with family and friends in that setting are so few and so fleeting that it is so important to enjoy them and truly be present. Most of our clients just want things to be simple, silly and fun in the planning process and just want to enjoy their day. We are also your cheerleaders! All of your feelings and everything you want is valid and important, and making sure we hear you is our top priority. <3”

-M.H.

What is the difference between a coordination package and a planning package and why would a couple choose one over the other?

“A coordination package acts like a day of package in that the couple is doing the leg work of budgeting, design and choosing the amazing vendor team. Then, it's our team's job to bring it all together and make sure everything gets wrapped up in a rad little package. A planning package takes all of those things and adds in sourcing vendors, keeping you on budget and bringing your design vision to life! You really just have to pick what makes the most sense for you both in budget and in the things that give you the most stress when you start to think about it. Keep it fun!”

-M.H.

What is the average cost of your services?

“Our services range from $2500-$5000 with our most popular package, our Partial Planning Package coming in on the lower end of that”

-M.H.

What are some characteristics or attributes a couple should look for when they are looking to book a coordinator or planner?

“First of all, you have to be able to have a good time. You can have the best coordinator, or any vendor for that matter, and if they are just a bummer to talk to then the whole process becomes a bummer. Choose someone that you trust to get personal with, trust the caliber of their or their team's work and someone who you gel well with creatively. You know after that first conversation if you have found your soulmate coordinator and don't stop till you find them!”

-M.H.

Why did you become a coordinator?

“I had always been drawn to weddings, they bring together my need for fast-paced work, my organization brain, and my general love of humans, but I honestly kind of fell into this work. I grew up in corporate events and meeting planning with my mom in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In college I studied theatre and got my bachelor's in Musical Theatre and have always had a love of performance. I worked for almost a decade in a theatre playhouse managing their patrons and also their donor's lounge which really honed my love for customer experience. Then, when I moved up to Portland in 2013 I thought I would finally try my hand at wedding planning. My first season taught me so much, above all, that I was literally obsessed with weddings and love. Sooooo here we are, 7 years later and still loving my work, expanding our team and living the literal dream. <3”

-M.H.

Morgan has been an event coordinator for more than seven years, getting her start in Albuquerque, NM. In 2010, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Musical Theater but fostered a love of event planning since high school. After designing weddings for close friends back home, she began pursuing event coordination as a full-time career---thus the birth of MH Events! In 2013, she moved to Portland with her hubs and three dogs, opened the doors, and gathered the A-Team. In the last five years, her company has created more than 115 events around the country. To Morgan, weddings are the best way to bring together performance, love, styling, organization, and details---all of which are her favorite things!

mheventspdx@gmail.com  / 505-263-8211