Lyla Dejesus
Wedding planners come in all shapes and sizes, and there are different types to suit different weddings. Generally, there are four types of service levels that wedding planners offer: full-service planning, partial planning, month-of, and day-of coordination. Full-service wedding planners are the most expensive option and are best for couples who want step-by-step guidance and a professional opinion from the get-go. They will be involved in every aspect of your to-do list, from choosing a wedding venue to handling vendor correspondence. Partial planners, on the other hand, offer their services in hourly packages, allowing couples to have a more hands-on approach. Month-of and day-of coordinators are ideal for couples who want to plan their own wedding but need a professional to tie up loose ends and ensure the day runs smoothly. There are also wedding specialists, who are usually part of a venue's planning team, and wedding designers or stylists, who focus on the aesthetics of the event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Involvement | Some wedding planners are involved in the entire planning process, while others are only hired for the day or for specific tasks. |
| Planning vs. coordination | Wedding planners are involved in the creative and logistical planning of a wedding, while coordinators manage the logistics and execution of the event on the day. |
| Services | Services include budget management, vendor selection and coordination, wedding design, timeline and checklist creation, guest management, wedding rehearsal coordination, and post-wedding tasks. |
| Specialisations | Wedding planners can specialise in full-service, partial, day-of coordination, destination weddings, or niche markets such as cultural, religious, or LGBTQ+ weddings. |
What You'll Learn
Full-service wedding planner
A full-service wedding planner is a professional consultant who plays a crucial role in one of the most important times in a couple's life. They guide their clients through the entire wedding planning process, from start to finish, ensuring that their wedding day vision is realised and expectations are exceeded.
On the day of the wedding, full-service planners are focused on executing their clients' vision to perfection. They are on hand to troubleshoot and provide solutions to any issues that may arise, so that the couple can remain in the moment and enjoy their day.
The services of a full-service wedding planner include, but are not limited to:
- Wedding planning timeline preparation and checklist creation
- Budget development and tracking
- Venue scouting
- Vendor recommendations, negotiations, and bookings
- Design scheme creation and execution
- Managing save-the-dates, invitations, and printed materials
- Tracking RSVPs
- Wedding favours and accessories
- Coordinating accommodations, transportation, and childcare
- Procuring welcome bags
- Etiquette information
- General advice and consultation
- Unlimited meetings, coordination time, and attendance at vendor meetings
- Confirming details with vendors prior to the wedding
- Facilitating the ceremony rehearsal
- Unlimited time on-site with the planner and assistants
- Directing the ceremony processional
- Coordinating and assisting with the setup of the ceremony and reception
- Setup of wedding accessories
- Coordinating the pinning of boutonnieres and ensuring VIPs receive flowers
- Acting as the point of contact for all vendors
- Assisting the family, wedding party, and guests as needed
- Distributing final payments and gratuities to vendors
- Providing a stocked emergency kit
- Dealing with any unforeseen issues
- Coordinating load-out
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Day-of wedding coordinator
A day-of wedding coordinator is a person who ensures the flawless execution of wedding plans on the day of the event. They are responsible for overseeing vendors, managing timelines, and troubleshooting any last-minute challenges or problems that may arise.
The responsibilities of a day-of wedding coordinator include managing the timeline, overseeing the final walkthrough of the venue, ensuring all decorative items are in place, managing vendors, ensuring everyone is lined up for the ceremony, cueing the officiant and musicians, coordinating the couple's grand entrance, and overseeing the breakdown and cleanup of the venue. They are also the primary point of contact for all vendors and are responsible for troubleshooting any problems that may arise.
While a day-of wedding coordinator typically starts working with the couple a few weeks or months before the wedding, they are primarily focused on the day-of logistics and ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for the couple. Their goal is to take away any worries or challenges so that the couple can savour every moment of their special day.
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Wedding designer
A wedding designer is a separate role from a wedding planner or wedding coordinator, focusing purely on the aesthetic elements of the event. Wedding designers are experts in creating a cohesive and stylish look for a wedding, and they have a rare and unique talent for designing an event and transforming a space.
A wedding designer's role is to oversee the overall aesthetic of the event, including the creation of a design concept, guidance on the colour palette, and management of the décor budget and vendors. They will source special props and equipment, attend site visits to visualise and plan the layout, and create detailed floor plans.
A wedding designer is a good idea if the décor and styling of the wedding are the most important elements to you. They will ensure that the event has a cohesive and stylish look and feel, and that the space is transformed to match the couple's vision.
While some full-service wedding planners also offer design services, others prefer to leave these details to a separate wedding designer. It is important to discuss whether your planner offers design services to determine if you need to hire an additional professional.
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À la carte wedding planner
An à la carte wedding planner offers a flexible service, allowing couples to select a base package and customise it according to their needs. No two weddings are the same, and neither are the packages offered by à la carte wedding planners.
Couples can also request help with wedding attire, planning the morning-after brunch, and managing RSVPs. À la carte wedding planners can even help with the setup and management of bridal showers, luncheons, and engagement parties.
The benefit of an à la carte wedding planner is that couples can choose the specific help they need, including items they may not have realised were available. À la carte services can be added to any wedding package for a custom touch, ensuring that the couple's big day runs smoothly and stays within budget.
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Destination wedding planner
Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, and this is only amplified when the wedding is taking place in a foreign country. This is where a destination wedding planner comes in.
A destination wedding planner is a specialist in planning weddings that take place outside of the couple's home country. They will have an extensive network of vendors and venues both nationally and internationally, and will be able to recommend the best options based on the couple's budget, guest count, and vision.
- Providing guidance on laws, permits, and marriage license requirements in the destination country
- Offering advice on travel arrangements for the couple and their guests
- Creating contingency plans for unforeseen issues, such as bad weather
- Managing the guest list and RSVPs
- Negotiating with and managing vendors and the venue
- Helping to design the overall look and feel of the wedding
The cost of a destination wedding planner will vary depending on the services provided, the wedding location, and the number of guests. Typically, a premium wedding planner providing event design services will charge a minimum of 20% of the total wedding budget, plus additional fees for travel and accommodations.
When choosing a destination wedding planner, it is important to consider their experience in the desired location. While it is not necessary for them to be based in the wedding location, they should at least have knowledge of the region and its customs, language, and vendors.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding planner is a professional who helps couples plan and execute their wedding, ensuring that every detail is meticulously arranged to create a memorable and stress-free experience. They can be involved in the process from start to finish or be hired for specific tasks and vendor coordination.
The most common categories of wedding planners include full-service planners, partial-service or month-of planners, day-of coordinators, destination wedding planners, specialty wedding planners, and wedding designers. Full-service planners handle all aspects of planning and coordination, while partial-service planners are hired closer to the wedding date to finalise details and coordinate vendors. Day-of coordinators manage the logistics on the wedding day, ensuring a smooth execution of the planned events. Destination wedding planners specialise in weddings away from the couple's hometown and navigate the challenges of planning a wedding in a different location. Specialty wedding planners focus on specific types of weddings, such as cultural, religious, or LGBTQ+ weddings. Wedding designers, also known as event designers or stylists, focus on the creative and aesthetic aspects of the wedding, including colour palettes, decor, and lighting.
Wedding planners offer a range of benefits, including reducing stress, saving time, and providing valuable expertise and industry knowledge. They can help develop and manage budgets, recommend and coordinate vendors, create timelines and checklists, handle last-minute changes, and ensure the couple's vision is executed flawlessly on their special day.
