With wedding planning, you will come across many suppliers. That said, the notion of a wedding planner and coordinator will surely come up. At that point, you might be confused about their roles and whether you need one or both. Many couples do not know the distinction, so they do not know which supplier to hire. If you are one of those newlyweds-to-be, we are here for you! We have compared wedding planners and coordinators for you so that you can understand each role precisely. This way, you will be able to determine which supplier you need for your big day!
What Is a Wedding Planner?
Wedding planners heavily focus on the details, like connecting you with suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the big day. In short, these are the people who can take away the stress of the process. At the same time, they will ensure that wedding planning is as easy as possible. Plus, they keep an eye on your budget and manage all the logistics. Many people can learn these skills, but the best planners come with years of experience that really make a difference.
Some wedding planners also offer design or styling services, which means they help with the creative elements of your wedding. Thus, they earn the title of full-service planner. This person works with you from start to finish, guiding you through the entire timeline. If you choose a more upscale planner, you might even get services like handling RSVPs and all other small details.
If you prefer, you can hire a wedding designer separately for the creative details. This means you will need to work with two different professionals to bring your dream day to life. Just clarify whether your wedding planner provides design services before deciding the best approach for your big day! It is important to understand everything your supplier offers before you hire them.
General Tasks of a Wedding Planner
You might be wondering what a wedding planner does. So, allow us to provide some clarity!
A wedding planner will help you find and negotiate with suppliers, ensuring everything runs smoothly from the start. Moreover, they will schedule and attend meetings with them, keep track of all your deposits and payments, and put together detailed timelines and floor plans. Also, a wedding planner will assist you in creating and managing your budget while joining you for site tours and menu tastings.
Depending on what you want from this supplier, you can limit or expand the services they offer. For instance, you can brainstorm style ideas and coordinate all the design details together. They can handle the arrangements for hotel room blocks and transportation, manage the rehearsal, and ensure that everything goes according to plan on the wedding day. This is an ideal solution for newlyweds who do not have time to deal with these things.
What Is a Wedding Coordinator?
A wedding coordinator focuses on the details right before the big day, stepping in about a month before to help make everything run smoothly. They create the day-of schedule, confirm supplier details, and handle any last-minute tasks, allowing you and your family actually to enjoy the celebration without stress.
In short, wedding coordinators take what you have already planned and make it happen on the day itself. This is a great option for newlyweds who want to plan their wedding alone and get some help when it comes to certain aspects or tying loose ends. Logistics on the big day are some of the most difficult to handle, so coordinators can be quite helpful. Hiring one is a great way to enjoy your special day without any hassle. Plus, this means you will be letting your family relax, too. Many couples give duties to family members, but you will not have to do that if you have an expert by your side!
Moreover, coordinators will ask the right questions to help you think of things you might have missed! This means everything will be handled, and you will have the celebration you have had in mind!
General Tasks of a Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator typically meets with you four to eight weeks before your big day to get a sense of your plans. They touch base with your supplier to review contracts and ensure all the logistics are lined up. In addition, they will create a detailed timeline and layout for the event, do a final walk-through of the ceremony and reception venues, and take care of any last-minute details that might have been missed.
On the day of the wedding, they manage the rehearsal and oversee everything to the tiniest detail. More precisely, they are your go-to person for the final touches and the coordination of the entire celebration.
Wedding Planner vs. Coordinator: Which One to Hire?
Thinking about hiring a wedding planner? It is a great move if you have the budget to spare and want to minimise the stress of wedding planning. If you are swamped with other commitments, unsure about where to begin, or just do not have the time to dive into the details, a planner can be a lifesaver. They are especially useful if you are planning a wedding in a unique location or need to pull together a destination wedding quickly.
On the other hand, if you want to be involved in the planning process but could use some help tying up loose ends as the big day approaches, a wedding coordinator might be the way to go. This option suits those who are naturally organised and detail-oriented but do not quite have the budget for a full-service planner. They will help ensure that everything runs smoothly without taking over your planning entirely.
Before you hire your suppliers, think about what you want from your wedding day and your involvement. Consider your budget and your ideas beforehand so you will know whether you need a coordinator or a wedding planner. Both of these suppliers will help you – you just need to determine how much of their help you need!
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