Should you hire a Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner for your wedding?
Should I hire a Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner?
What are the differences between a Wedding Coordinator and Wedding Planner?
Both questions many couples ask when planning their wedding. First, I will explain the difference between a Wedding Coordinator and Wedding Planner.
Wedding Coordinator – also known as Day of Coordinator or Month of Coordinator - will normally start assisting a month before the client’s wedding date. The client would have planned and hired all the vendors by this point. It is the coordinator’s job to then request all the vendor information from the client and schedule a meeting with the client to go over the vision and details of the wedding. This is where the client will relinquish control to the coordinator to contact vendors to create a timeline for the wedding, answer any questions the client or vendors may have, coordinate and direct the rehearsal and ceremony, and be the advocate for the client. The coordinator will be the point of contact for all vendors and make sure the wedding day runs smoothly, so the client can relax and enjoy their dream wedding knowing everything is taken care of.
Wedding Planner – helps the client plan, offers guidance and advice on vendor selection, assists with budget development and cost saving solutions, reviews vendor contracts, offers etiquette guidance, PLUS everything the wedding coordinator does. Unlike a Wedding Coordinator, a Wedding Planner is involved months or even a year(s) out from the wedding date to assist with the planning process. Normally, Wedding Planners offer different packages based on the client’s needs and how much assistance they want/need with planning their wedding. For example, Wedding Planners may offer guided planning or full service planning packages.
Just to clarify, the same wedding professional can be both a Wedding Coordinator and Wedding Planner. It just depends on how involved the client would need them to be and what package they select.
Now to answer the question: Should I hire a Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner? My answer is YES! As a professional Wedding Planner/Coordinator and recently a bride myself, you will need at least a Wedding Coordinator. Here are my reasonings why:
Let the professional worry about the details, so you can enjoy your perfect day while being stress free.
Even if you planned everything and hired all the vendors; you will not have time to tell vendors where to set up, decorate, tell the bridal party when to walk down the aisle, get the marriage certificate to the pastor or officiant to be signed, and the list goes on.
The Wedding Planner/Coordinator will be your advocate.
The Wedding Planner/Coordinator will be able to handle problems or issues that may arise, so you won’t have to worry.
Ultimately, it is your decision whether or not you hire a Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Planner. My recommendation is to at least hire a Wedding Coordinator, so you can relax, enjoy your wedding day, and be present in the moment. If you need assistance with planning your wedding and hiring vendors in addition to day of coordination, then hire a Wedding Planner.
Not sure if you are needing a wedding coordinator or wedding planner? Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your vision and find the perfect fit for you!