Wedding Planners and Coordinators: What’s the Difference?
Wedding planners and wedding coordinators exist to turn your wedding vision into reality. Let’s dive into the role of wedding planners vs. day-of coordinators, and talk about the responsibilities of the go-to person on your wedding day.
“Take moments to pause, be present, and soak it all in.”
This is some of the best advice couples receive about their wedding. It’s special to have all your people gathered to celebrate you! That’s why our couples choose to have a wedding coordinator or planner.
There’s also the reality that weddings can be super stressful. Everything’s on a tight schedule, vendors are rushing around, and guests are looking for the bathroom. It’s why we (planners/coordinators) love what we do. We want to make your day stress-free, so you can soak up every moment.
So what is the difference between a wedding planner and a day-of coordinator anyway? Simply put, planners work with you through the entire wedding planning process, while day-of coordinators manage the logistics on the wedding day.
Not everyone hires a wedding planner, but you will certainly need support on your wedding day. Whether you’re hiring a professional coordinator or enlisting a friend, you want to be confident that they understand your vision and can handle the responsibilities. This may include:
Mother Nature: Especially to my PNW couples – Yes, we love the trees and lakes and mountains! But unpredictable rain (or smoke!) is the price we pay. Contingency plan(s) are a must, and you’ll want someone to know that plan top to bottom in case it’s needed.
Vendor coordination: Vendors show up at different times throughout the day. They’ll likely have questions about set up and may need to connect with the other vendors onsite. You’ll want a single point of contact who knows all the vendors and their responsibilities.
Time management: There’s a set schedule for the day, but it’s so easy to get behind schedule and so hard to catch up once you get behind. Someone needs to be the clock-keeper and move things along when time is getting tight.
The unexpected: Expect the unexpected to happen, it always does - but it doesn’t need to be a big deal. Make sure there’s someone you trust to solve problems quickly and make snap decisions on your behalf.
In summary, here’s my twist on the “stay present” advice – Don’t be the go-to person at your own wedding. Delegate the hell out of everything and let someone else be the go-to for you.
You’re the guest of honor, so you sit back, relax, and let them shower you with love.
