Wedding Coordinator Versus Wedding Planner
Wedding Coordinator Versus Wedding Planner
You’re engaged—congratulations! Now, you’re likely starting to think about your wedding day and all the details that go into it. With all of the information you need to consider, you might start thinking: Should I hire a wedding planner?
Your wedding day should be all about celebrating you! You’ll want to live in the moment, and fully enjoy it, without stress. There are so many moving parts during your day, from coordinating vendors to managing timelines, and it can be overwhelming to handle everything yourself. If you’re too worried about the logistics, you’ll miss out on really experiencing your day. That's where professional help comes in—ensuring that everything runs smoothly so you can focus on what matters most: creating memories and enjoying your celebration. Plus, so many people rely on their friends and family for help, but they should be celebrating too!
There are several types of planning services, with two of the most popular being wedding planners, and coordinators. The question is, which role does which job?
When it comes to choosing between a wedding planner and a coordinator, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the differences. With so many factors to consider, many couples struggle to decide which service best suits their needs. Fortunately, this blog is here to help! By breaking down the key distinctions and benefits of each option, we’ll guide you through the decision-making process, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your big day.
WHAT DO WEDDING PLANNERS DO?
THE ROLE OF A WEDDING PLANNER
Wedding planners are your go-to resource from the very beginning of your planning journey. Depending on your needs, you can choose from different levels of service, whether it’s a full-service planner who handles every detail or a partial-service planner whose service may be scaled back. Either way, the core purpose remains the same: they guide the process from start to finish, ensuring everything stays on track. From helping you make informed decisions to easing the workload, a wedding planner becomes a key piece in bringing your vision to life. They’ll be with you every step of the way, playing a pivotal role in turning your ideas into reality, so you can enjoy the process with less stress.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY WEDDING PLANNERS
Many people worry that if they aren’t in charge of planning, they lose control and their wedding vision won’t come to life, but the truth is quite the opposite. A good wedding planner doesn’t take over—they work with you to bring your ideas to life in the best way possible. They offer insights on what’s achievable and guide you in refining your vision, all while managing the behind-the-scenes tasks. From coordinating vendors to handling layouts, managing deadlines, and keeping track of payments, planners take care of all the time-consuming and often stressful details. Without these distractions, you’ll actually be able to focus more clearly on your wedding vision, ensuring that the day unfolds exactly as you imagined, without the hassle of juggling logistics.
ADVANTAGES OF HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER
As mentioned earlier, with a wedding planner by your side you won’t have to worry about a single detail slipping through the cracks. Your planner is driving the bus—meaning they’re taking the wheel on the planning process, ensuring that your planning is staying on track while managing next steps. You can relax in the passenger seat, providing feedback and making decisions. Your planner serves as the primary contact for vendors, saving you time and sparing your inbox from hundreds of emails! Having your budget managed by a planner ensures that you will get the biggest impact for your dollar and prevents you from getting lost in those small purchases. You’ll have the peace of mind that your vision is in expert hands—guided by someone with years of experience in creating beautiful weddings.
Essentially, you’ll be free to focus on the fun part of planning while your planner guides the process and does all the busy work. From start to finish, you can rest assured that your dream day will unfold exactly as you imagined, without you having to lift a finger.
COST OF A WEDDING PLANNER
Wedding planners do cost more than coordinators, but that price reflects the extensive work they do. While the investment may be higher, the range of services a wedding planner offers goes far beyond what most people expect. In fact, when explaining our services, we often find it easier to describe what isn’t included—things like ceremony design, RSVP tracking, and wedding party coordination. Aside from those few exceptions, a full-service planner can manage just about everything else, ensuring that every detail of your wedding is expertly handled. From concept to execution, they take care of the entire process, giving you the freedom to enjoy the experience without the stress of managing it yourself.
The cost of wedding planners also varies; don’t be sucked in by the least expensive option. Quality of services and experience vary tremendously, and this is one area where you get what you pay for.
WHEN TO HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER
If you’re finding yourself short on time for planning, unsure of how to bring your design vision to life, in need of expert guidance, or simply wanting to avoid the stress of managing it all, then hiring a wedding planner as soon as possible is the perfect solution! It’s never too late—while most couples hire a planner from the start, a wedding planner is willing to pick up the pieces at any stage during the process. If you find you’re in too far over your head, it’s time to start looking for a planner.
WHAT DO COORDINATORS DO?
THE ROLE OF A COORDINATOR
At their core, coordinators are responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly and is executed flawlessly on your wedding day. They step in to manage the day-of logistics, making sure all the pieces come together as planned so you can focus on enjoying your celebration without worrying about the day-of details.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY COORDINATORS
Unlike a wedding planner, a coordinator won’t be involved throughout your entire wedding planning journey. Their role typically begins closer to the big day, focusing on finalizing details and ensuring everything is ready to go. They assist with final vendor confirmations, direct the rehearsal, and take the lead on coordinating the day-of logistics. Essentially, while the coordinator helps bring the physical elements of your wedding to life, you’re still the one in charge of the planning process. They execute on your plans; the creative direction and major decisions are all yours.
ADVANTAGES OF HIRING A COORDINATOR
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a coordinator is that they take all the stress off your shoulders on your special day. Your friends and family are there to celebrate you—not to be responsible for setting up, managing logistics, or tearing down the ceremony and reception. With a coordinator, you don’t have to worry about asking loved ones to handle the heavy lifting. Instead, they can enjoy the day alongside you, while your coordinator ensures everything is seamlessly executed behind the scenes. And, depending on the service, they will help clean up plans and point out any issues that need attention leading up to the big day.
COST OF A COORDINATOR
The cost of hiring a coordinator is less expensive than a planner, but the price can vary depending on several factors, such as the amount of work they do in the lead-up to the event, the number of hours they’re onsite on the day of your wedding, and whether they bring additional staff to assist. These factors all contribute to the overall price, as more preparation, longer hours, and extra hands often require a greater investment. However, the peace of mind that comes with knowing your day is in capable hands is well worth it.
Similar to a planner, the price will vary greatly amongst coordinators. Make sure to look at their experience, because knowing how to handle last-minute fires on the big day requires experience and vendor connections!
WHEN TO HIRE A COORDINATOR
If you’re confident in your ability to plan your wedding and have the time to handle the details but don’t want to invest in the full cost of a wedding planner, a coordinator might be the perfect option for you. With a coordinator, you can take charge of the planning process but still enjoy a stress-free wedding day, knowing someone else is handling all the small details. It allows you to go through your big day, fully immersed in the moment, without worrying about timelines, setup, or vendor coordination. If you know you want a coordinator (or one is required by your venue) then hire one right away, as they book up early. However, like a wedding planner, you can still hire them at any point during your planning process.
WEDDING PLANNERS VS COORDINATORS: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
“WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?” ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
DO I HAVE TIME TO PLAN? Wedding planning is a HUGE time commitment, and it will be difficult if you live a busy lifestyle! Wedding planners will save you time throughout the planning process, coordinators won’t. Depending on the size and complexity of your wedding, planners will average 125-300+ hours when planning and executing a wedding.
DO I WANT HELP WITH DESIGN? Some planners are also wedding designers, and can help in that regard!
AM I ORGANIZED? Organization is essential for pulling off a perfectly executed wedding day, so you must reflect on whether you are truly capable of it. You’ll need to be the primary organizer when working with a coordinator, while wedding planners will be organized for you.
WHAT IS MY BUDGET? Maybe you would love a planner, but your budget doesn’t allow it; then go for a coordinator and see if they have any add-on services that will help you get the help you need.
DO YOU GET EASILY STRESSED? If you’re confident in pulling the planning off, you might only need a coordinator! However, if simply thinking about communicating with all of those vendors and designing your wedding sounds overwhelming to you, you’d benefit from working with a wedding planner.
FINAL THOUGHTS…
If you’re struggling to decide between a wedding planner and a coordinator, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each to see which is more practical for your specific needs. Some couples enjoy planning every detail themselves. They are organized and detail-oriented, making a coordinator the ideal choice to handle the execution on the big day. On the other hand, if you’re unsure where to start or want guidance throughout the entire process, a wedding planner is a better fit, offering more comprehensive support.
Still need help weighing your options? We’re here to help! We offer a range of services from coordination to full-service planning. No matter which service you choose, we’re dedicated to making your wedding day everything you’ve dreamed of.
