WEDDING PLANNER OR A WEDDING COORDINATOR?
Wedding planning does come with its own set of challenges and one of those is determining what suppliers fit your style of wedding. Another is to figure out how much time you’re going to be able to allocate to plan, because no doubt about it, planning a wedding is almost in itself a full-time job.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful though to have that fairy godmother who just does it all for you? No wait though, they really do exist.
On that note, I’m going to begin my inaugural blog post defining what the role of a wedding planner entails as opposed to a wedding coordinator. Let me save you the frustration and misunderstanding and explain these key differences, as well as go into detail about the terms and services covered by that of a planner and a coordinator.
What is a Wedding Planner?
A professional wedding planner is logistics focussed and is hired by the couple (or their family), from the very beginning of your wedding planning journey. We spend anywhere from 50 to 300 hours planning every aspect of your wedding. From helping you refine your wedding theme, guiding you with the budget, booking in your venue, liaising with wedding vendors to negotiating the contracts and agreements. It’s all about working with you to execute the vision you have always dreamt about. A wedding planner will also help keep you organised and most importantly ease the stress and burden off your shoulders
Each and every wedding for a wedding planner is bespoke. We share our expertise with you across all areas and quite often make our own suggestions too, making the decision process a lot simpler for you.
Your wedding planner is there with you ever step of the way from rehearsal dinners to the actual wedding day ensuring that all the plans are implemented and choreographed seamlessly
What is a Wedding Coordinator?
Wedding coordinators on the other hand traditionally work with the couple within a limited capacity when their wedding is just few months out to tie up any loose ends, so that you feel relaxed on the day.
Their roles are to assist you in checking and confirming the vendor contracts, provide any last minute vendor referrals, create wedding day itinerary and timelines, ensure you receive those RSVP’s from your wedding guests in time, keep track of payments and also manage logistics on the day of the wedding, ensuring that everything runs according to schedule.
Be aware though that there is a huge difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator. The former is specific to the venue and can’t do much outside.
Let’s take for example, you have international guests arriving on the day of your wedding. You will want to ensure that your wedding coordinator is aware of this so that he or she can organise transport for to your wedding venue. This isn’t the venue coordinator’s job to do.
Which is right for you?? Wedding Planner or Wedding Coordinator?
Now that I’ve highlighted the differences between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator, it’s time for
you to make the decision.
As I pointed out earlier, planning a wedding is a demanding job and one that you may have to think long and hard about after your fiancé or fiancée slips that ring on your finger. I like to say, that it comes down to 3 key factors; Time. Budget. Freedom.
Investing in the right wedding planner or wedding coordinator can ease the stress and burden on your shoulders, so that you have the freedom to enjoy your engagement and spend less time on following up on emails during your lunch breaks!
I encourage you to ask yourselves the following questions:
What’s your budget?
How much time can you allocate to wedding planning?
Do you want your family and friends to actually enjoy the wedding day?
Are the suppliers you have selected going to be able to build the vision you had in mind for your wedding day?
How can Bliss Nuptials and Events help me?
Book in for an informal and complimentary Discovery Call. This is where we decide which of my management services is best suited to your needs; whether you require me as your wedding planner or wedding coordinator.
Once you confirm me as your planner/coordinator, we will have a detailed "Onboarding" process; my holistic approach to your stress free wedding planning journey allows you to focus on what’s more important to you while I go about creating your elegantly beautiful and memorable wedding day.
There you have it! All the differences between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator explained in one neat little blog. Would you like to know more?
To book your free discovery call, contact me here, or email me directly at info@blissnuptials.com
I would also love to hang out with you on my Instagram @_blissnuptials
Don’t forget to tell me what your biggest takeaways were below too! I’d love to read your comments.
Love,
Ronke