Wedding preparation introduces a new language, and phrases you assumed you knew suddenly take on new connotations. For example, one of the most important distinctions that a bride must understand is between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator.
Keep reading for a rundown of what each of these two does.
Wedding Planner
Your wedding planner will appear anything but gorgeous. They spend most of their time in flat shoes and business attire, generally with a headset firmly affixed to one ear and a mobile phone with text messenger super-glued to one hand.
This full-service individual is in charge of assisting you throughout the wedding planning process, as they will perform the majority of the work for you. So all you have to do now is sit back, relax, and look forward to your big day. Not only that, but they can assist you in organising things following the wedding. Some wedding planners also offer design or style services, assisting you with the artistic aspects of your wedding.
Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator is more concerned with logistics than a wedding planner but in a shorter time frame. They usually start assisting you with wedding preparations a month before the wedding and serve as the primary contact on the wedding day. They will validate vendor contracts, prepare a day-of timetable, and ensure that things like invoices and guest counts are in place, but they will not be engaged in the preliminary design phases or keeping track of your budget.
Responsibilities of the Day-of Coordinator
Before your wedding:
- Examine the wedding and reception venue
- Introduce you to dependable wedding providers and locations.
- Assist with vendor negotiations
- Serve as the point of contact for each vendor (so you don’t have to)
- Assist with the direction of your wedding rehearsal
On your wedding day
- Assist in organising and spacing the processional line-up.
- Greet visitors and/or oversee ushers
- Assist with the pinning of boutonnières and corsages
- Keep track of your marriage licence, ketubah, ceremonial objects, and wedding rings.
- At the ceremony venue, gather and distribute ceremonial supplies.
- Ensure that the ceremony and reception setup and décor are accurate. Act as a last-minute point of contact with vendors.
- Check sure little items such as favours and place cards are properly placed.
- Validate the placement of the guest book, gift table, cake table, and rental items.
- Direct events to ensure that the wedding runs well and on time. Assist with guest management.
- Determine who will be in charge of transporting presents from the reception to the ultimate destination.
- Respond to any issues or adjustments that arise at the last minute.
Hire a wedding coordinator if you want to be involved in the preparation of your wedding but would like someone to handle the last-minute arrangements and ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Read on 10 Do-It-Yourself wedding decor ideas that will add a personal touch.
Responsibilities as a Wedding Planner
A full-service wedding planner will take care of a lot more. Here’s a short list:
Consult with you to better understand and design your entire plan, which may include things like the rehearsal dinner, bachelorettes, day-after meals, and other wedding-related activities.
- Assist you in revising your budget
- Learn about your wedding’s style, colours, and atmosphere.
- Provide you with frequent progress reports
- Create and evaluate vendor contracts
- Assist you with your wedding day agenda
- Organize vendor arrivals and deliveries to your venues.
- Avoid costly errors such as hasty shipment or other adjustments.
- Assist you as your “personal assistant” by reminding you of your commitments, appointments, budget, and so on.
- Assist with fashion ideas and current trends
- Bring everything together for a consistent aesthetic.
- Keep an eye out for any things that you may have overlooked.
- Manage practically everything, including florists, caterers, invites, musicians, site décor, and more.
- Assist you in selecting wedding party fashion, including bridesmaid gowns, your gown, and potentially your mother’s clothes, as well as groom and groomsmen apparel.
- Assist you in locating fashionable favours
- Provide suggestions for table design, customised lighting, and other aesthetic features.
- Act as a mediator in matters of dress, etiquette, financial issues, and so on.
- Venues and vendors have nearly limitless resources.
- Insider discounts and even freebies are frequently obtained.
- Manage practically everything, including florists, caterers, invites, musicians, site décor, and more.
- Assist you in selecting wedding party fashion, including bridesmaid gowns, your gown, and potentially your mother’s clothes, as well as groom and groomsmen apparel.
- Assist you in locating fashionable favours
- Provide suggestions for table design, customised lighting, and other aesthetic features.
- Act as a mediator in matters of dress, etiquette, financial issues, and so on.
- Venues and vendors have nearly limitless resources.
- Insider discounts and even freebies are frequently obtained.
Hire a wedding planner if you have the budget for it and if you want to be stress-free on your wedding day.
If you want things to go well, employ a wedding planner as well as a day-of coordinator, or include day-of obligations in your wedding planner contract.
Check our blog on 5 reasons why hiring a wedding photographer is a must .
…and if you’re looking for a quixotic place to get married, AVM Gardens should top the charts.
