Wedding Planner VS. Wedding Coordinator, Which do you need?

Wedding planning can be super stressful if you’re doing it all on your own! One of the biggest things that a bride needs to figure out is what, exactly, is the difference between a Wedding Planner, and a Wedding Coordinator. 

 Here at Precious Moments Events LLC, We want to help you decide which is for you on your big day!  

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Photographer: Rob Hurth Photography

Read on for a Breakdown of What Each Different Wedding Planning Pro Does

Wedding Planner 

• Schedules & Attends All Vendor Meetings 
• Helps Determine And Manage Your Budget 
• Coordinates Hotel & Transportation 
• Helps & Oversees Everything on The Wedding Day
• Save you Money On Vendors 

Wedding Coordinator 

• Meets with you 2-8 Weeks before the Wedding 
• Reviews & goes over signed contracts and logistics 
• Completes a Final Walk-Through with Client
• Manages & plans the Rehearsal 

Wedding Planners

Wedding Planners are all about the extra details in planning your Wedding.  They handle Vendor Referrals and Contract negotiation until the day of your Wedding. They also work closely in making your visions come true, by assisting clients with specific Wedding activities. They also ensure that everything on the big day runs smoothly and goes according to plan. Most full service wedding planners include design services to help couples select color palettes, decor, rentals, lighting, and overall aesthetic that carries through the entire event and reception. 

Wedding Planner Duties  

1. Puts in 80 to 250 hours.
2. Provides vendor referrals and negotiates contracts; schedules and attends all vendor meetings.
3. Creates detailed timelines and floor plans for the client.
4. Helps determine and manage your budget (saves you money & manages time)
5. Attends venue tours and menu tastings with clients.
6. Coordinates design details.
7. Communicates with hotels (Room blocks and Transportation)
8. Manages the rehearsal if one is planned.
9. Oversees everything on the wedding day (makes sure everyone adheres to the timeline, handles issues, manages ALL vendors, and executes your vision on-site.

Here’s When you Should Hire A Wedding Planner 

1. You want the least possible amount of wedding-related stress.
2. You need some Direction on Colors & Themes 
3. You have no free time because of a demanding job or career.
4. You have no idea where to start when it comes to planning, and your organizational skills aren’t the greatest (It’s ok, we’ve got you!)
5. You have a very short time frame for planning. (A few months/weeks)
6. You’re throwing a destination wedding and/or a wedding weekend involving multiple events/Venues
7. You’re not familiar with the Destination/Area
8. You’re hosting your wedding in an unusual space, or have a vision for a different kind of venue.

Wedding Coordinators

 A Wedding Coordinator is usually on a way smaller timeline than a Wedding Planner. They will confirm vendor contracts for you, and create a simple day-of plan. They will also help you stay organized by double checking guest counts, and making sure payments are in order. They will not be in charge of your budget, or be involved in early planning phases. They usually start their planning process with you a month before your wedding, and make sure that everything you’ve done up to that point is correct, they’ll make little tweaks for you if need be. On the Wedding day, they stand in as the main planner, and execute the setup and takedown of everything at the proposed venue. 

Wedding Coordinator Duties

1. Puts in at least 25 hours.
2. Meets with you four weeks before the wedding to get a handle on what you’ve planned so far for your wedding.
3. Check in with your vendors to review the signed contracts and confirm their plans and logistics.
4. Creates detailed timelines for the day of. 
5. Completes a final walk-through of the ceremony and reception sites.
6. Addresses any overlooked details last minute
7. Manages the rehearsal with clients.
8. Oversees everything on the wedding day. 

??????Here’s when you should hire a Wedding Coordinator  

1. You’re the kind of bride that wants to control every aspect of your wedding yourself, but need some reassurance from a professional to clear up any misunderstandings.
2. You’re extremely organized and detail-oriented and have done your own wedding planning research.
3. You don’t have the budget for a full-service wedding planner or just don’t want one.

Before Making the Final Decision, We feel it’s important you know

1. Always consider the Cost and the Amount of money you have to spend. 
2. Book ahead of time. As soon as you know your wedding date! (Don’t wait until the month of if you’re using a coordinator) . 
3. Consider the Pros & Cons of both! 
4. Call either professional and ask questions to figure out which one you want. 

Photographer: Rut Photography

• Photographer: Something Blue Bridal
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