Expert Advice from wedding guru, Sharon Naylor

Answer:

Some wedding coordinators create what I call a Boundary Must when it comes to giving out their cell phone numbers, for the simple fact that some brides (and their moms) overdo it -- calling constantly, at all hours of the night, while the coordinator is on vacation, with tons of questions, or rushing ahead in the plans, changing their minds, and so on. I've heard horror stories from some coordinators whose clients have called *50* times in a day, and texted over 100 times! So for the sake of sanity, a wedding coordinator who has experienced hyper or pushy brides might decide to institute a self-protective barrier by only giving out the cell phone number a month before the wedding. For all questions and requests, the bride and her group can leave a message on the studio phone, or send an e-mail...and the coordinator promises to get back to the client within 24 hours.

An in-demand, top-quality coordinator sometimes HAS to establish this kind of boundary, so yes, it's normal.

Now before everyone writes to me that cell phone numbers should be given out, and the coordinator doesn't have to take every call that comes in...imagine if you're a bride with a wedding a week away, and your coordinator is SCREENING HER CALLS, with her phone turned off. I'd want instant access during that last week, and I'd be very grateful to be one of the VIP brides who can gain instant access when the wedding is so close and issues are very urgent.

So don't be turned off by this no cell phone policy, but be sure to ask about the coordinator's policy for returning calls or e-mails within a 24-hour period. And as a wedding client, don't think of your coordinator as a personal servant who's only working with you...save up your non-urgent questions for one e-mail or phone call a week.

All the best,
Sharon Naylor