When you’re planning a wedding, it’s easy to assume the big venue decisions are the ones that matter most, the venue, the dress, the guest list. But in this week’s episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, we spoke to Hollie from Hollie B Events, and the conversation highlighted something couples don’t always realise early on:

Your suppliers and how your day is managed can completely shape your wedding experience!

Not just how it looks, but how it feels

What a wedding planner or coordinator actually does (in real terms)

One of the most useful parts of this conversation was breaking down what a wedding planner or coordinator actually does, beyond the generic descriptions you’ll find online. Hollie explained that even her on the day coordination starts well before the wedding itself. It includes:

Reviewing supplier contracts to catch issues early
Building a realistic, venue specific timeline
Communicating with every supplier ahead of the day
Checking details couples might not think about like coverage times or logistics

Because the reality is, most problems don’t happen on the day. They happen before the day when details don’t quite align.

“Suppliers can make or break our wedding”

This was one of the strongest and most honest points on the episode. Couples often choose supplier based on price, Instagram presence and availability. But what came through clearly is how suppliers work matters just as much as what they provide. From Hollie’s perspective, great suppliers:

Communicate clearly
Work well with others
Understand wedding day pressure
Maintain standards, even during busy seasons

And most importantly… they help you feel calm, not more stressed. Because on your wedding day, you’re not managing a checklist. You’re relying on people.

Why on the day support is so popular

Interestingly, the most popular service Hollie offers isn’t full planning, it’s on the day coordination. And when you hear what that actually involves, it makes sense. On the day itself, her role is to:

Be the point of contract for all suppliers
Handle questions so couples don’t have to
Manage timelines and logistics
Check details right down to table settings and setup
Solve problems before couples even notice them

As she puts it, the goal is simple. So you can sit in your chair, have your makeup done, and not wonder if everything is actually happening.

The reality of wedding day logistics

Something that came through strong gly in this episode is just how many moving parts there are on a wedding day. We’re talking about suppliers arriving at different times, setups happening across multiple spaces, timings need to align and small details that still matter.

Most couples have all of this planned, often in their head or in a document. But the key question is… Who is actually managing it in real time? Because giving that responsibility to a friend or bridesmaid, who’s never done it before, can add pressure rather than remove it.

Common wedding mistakes couples don’t expect

This episode also highlighted a few things that regularly go wrong and often surprise couples.

Booking suppliers for the wrong date it happens more than you think
Timelines that don’t match supplier contracts
Venue sound systems not working properly for speeches
DIY setups taking far longer than expected

None of these are dramatic on their own but they can quickly become stressful without someone experienced managing them.

DIY Weddings

This hot topic came up in our conversation too and the take was refreshingly honest! Yes, DIY can save money, but it often adds time pressure, setup stress, and logistic challenges (especially on the morning of the wedding). As discussed, it’s not about whether DIY is good or bad, it’s about understanding what’s actually involved. Because setting up 100 chairs or styling a full venue on your wedding morning is very different to pinning ideas on Pinterest.

One piece of advice every couple should hear

Among all the logistics and planning talk, one simple piece of advice stood out… DON’T STRESS ABOUT THE SMALL THINGS! They might not be exactly how you imagined. A detail might be slightly off, something might run a bit late and not everything will be perfect. But the purpose of the day isn’t perfection, it’s the experience.

and finally… chair covers

We couldn’t ignore this. Hollies biggest wedding ick… chair covers. Not because couples shouldn’t have them, but because it’s a reminder of how easy it is to feel like you have to include certain things in your wedding. You DON’T! If you love something, include it! If you dont, leave it out.

Simple as that!

Love from,

TAE x