Weddingbee PRO

When some brides initially contact me, they’re not sure if they’re looking for a coordinator or a planner. I thought I’d use this post to explain how I *personally* distinguish between the two!

A wedding planner is a seasoned professional who can confidently guide you through the entire wedding planning process. From engagement to the grand exit, they are your experienced guides in the world of all things wedding! Although there are levels of service you can commission with a wedding planner, most will assist you (at least to some degree) with venue selection, vendor referrals, production of a detailed checklist of things to do, production of a detailed day-of timeline and communication with all vendors leading up to the big day. They help you plot the course down the aisle and are there to answer questions all along the way. Often a wedding planner will also have a hand in event design. They will proffer ideas and inspiration for the “look and feel” of your event and help you secure vendors who will contribute to that cohesive vision.

A wedding coordinator, by contrast, is not necessarily deeply involved with the wedding plans. Their primary function is to facilitate a smooth-running event on the wedding day itself. They often jump into the picture a month or so before the wedding to gather key information and create a timeline. They may help you iron out final details and contact your vendors to confirm contract obligations. On the day-of, they run the show and ensure that things go according to plan.

Many times people will use the terms coordinator & planner interchangeably. It is somewhat understandable, as a wedding planner is always a wedding coordinator. BUT, a wedding coordinator is not always a wedding planner. It’s important to determine what your needs and desires are before you begin contacting potential planners/coordinators. Make sure that your “wants” line up with what is being offered. This also ensures that you are comparing apples to apples once you price out a few options.

There are still many brides who think that hiring a planner is an unnecessary expense, or a luxury only afforded by those with six-figure wedding budgets. Although you can definitely get by without having a wedding planner (hey, I did!), there are serious pros to having one. And I’m a firm believer that hiring one is an excellent investment. A fabulous wedding planner is brimming with insider information about the biz. They will save you time and money with their assistance and referrals. They will also serve as your inspiration muse, offering great second opinions, suggestions, and new ideas to help personalize your event. The ultimate ROI: peace of mind and freedom to actually ENJOY your wedding day. Fancy that!

I consider myself a wedding planner rather than a coordinator. I coordinate the weddings I plan. As a result, I do not offer “day-of coordination” services à la carte. I take on only 20-25 events a year, so I want to really invest in those clients. I also think my involvement before the big day ensures my success on the day of! I arrive to each event confident in my knowledge of the client’s preferences, the vendors’ obligations, and the way the day should unfold. All of that preparation really does pay off! I never feel nervous on a wedding day. Rather, I am filled with excitement and enthusiasm about the plans and can operate as a cheerful coordinator all day long. That’s right… I actually ENJOY your wedding day. Fancy that!

Now for a quick FAQ re: the shoes I wear on a wedding day. jen wrote, “I would like to know what kind of shoes you wear while you’re on-site at weddings. You’re always so fashionable but I can’t imagine being in heels during your 12 hour+ days!”

I’m not the best person to ask about comfortable and functional shoes. I am a shoe lover and enjoy wearing fun heels & flats on the wedding day. I want to make a great impression from head-to-toe with an outfit that says, “I’m professional AND stylish!” And let’s be honest here… no shoe is comfortable after 22 hours. Well, except mabybe house slippers. But I have a feeling those wouldn’t go over too well with my clients. Haha I wear heels all the time so I can usually manage 10-12 hours in them. I always have a backup pair of work-appropriate flats in the car, though. I also try to wear my Converse or flip flops during set-up (when no one has arrived yet, of course!) and then change into the heels about an hour before showtime. Try out a few different kinds of shoes and see what works for you! My favorite work heels are BCBG black pumps with a very manageable 2.5″ heel. My favorite work flats are gold gladiators I picked up from Nine West this summer.

I hope you’re all having a great week! Keep the questions coming! My next in this series will go over how to pick the right planner or coordinator for you! xoxo