Every couple has their own image of what they want for their wedding, which may require different types of support. Wedding planners or wedding coordinators may offer different services so it can be a challenge to know which type of planner is right for you. Let’s go over the difference between wedding planners and wedding coordinators, and how to find the best one for you.
Wedding Planner
If you’re looking for someone to help you with all logistics planning for your wedding, you’re going to want a wedding planner. A wedding planner will help with all of the wedding planning from after your wedding announcement to your wedding day. Duties of a wedding planner include:
- Providing vendor referrals and negotiating contracts
- Tracking the deposits for all vendors, attending the site tours and menu tastings
- Coordinating with the hotel for rooms for guests and transportation
- Managing the rehearsal
If you want to get a wedding planner, look for a full service or full-scale wedding planner to ensure you’re getting all the services you desire and pay for.
Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator will offer services around the day of the wedding and will make sure all plans go off with as little stress as possible. Two to three months before your wedding contact wedding coordinators and hire one that works for you. About a month before the wedding they will meet with you and confirm their duties. Some of their duties include:
- Final walk-through of all the venues
- Checking in with vendors to confirm logistics
- Creating detailed timelines and floor plans
- Managing the rehearsal.
A term to look for in a wedding coordinator is partial planning. Rates for a wedding coordinator start at $1,500 as opposed to $4,500 starting rate for a wedding planner.
What Is Best for You
Ask yourself and talk with your partner to see what kind of assistance works best for you. If you have the budget and don’t have the time to fully commit to planning your wedding, consider a wedding planner. Consider a wedding planner if you don’t know where to start, or if you need someone with better organizational skills than you and your partner. Finally, if you’re doing a destination wedding or a wedding weekend with multiple events, a wedding planner will be a most valuable asset.
A wedding coordinator will offer similar yet a smaller range of services. If you want the lead role in planning your wedding, consider hiring a wedding coordinator. If you’re a more organized and detail oriented person, but want the security of planning oversight, a wedding coordinator will be the best choice for you.
Either way you go, be sure to do your research and book early. If you’re in the market for a wedding dress, check out our bridal collection.