Understanding the Difference Between a Wedding Planner, a Wedding Coordinator, And a Wedding Stylist
Updated: Nov 6, 2020
Wedding Planner
What Does a Wedding Planner Do?
Wedding planners are all about the details and logistics, from vendor referrals and contract negotiation to day of execution of your vision. A professional planner will take the stress out of the planning making the process run as seamless and smooth as possible, At Two Girls in Pearls Events, we will keep track of your budget and handle all the logistics. We have years of experience in these areas and can also provide design or styling services. This helps with the creative aspect of your wedding vision, while other planners will leave those details to a wedding designer or hire a design team, which means you'll need to hire two professionals to create and plan the day you've dreamed of.
Wedding Planner Services
Puts in at least 250 hours
Provides vendor referrals and negotiates contracts; schedules and attends all vendor meetings.
Creates detailed planning timelines and floor plans
Creates detailed Day of timelines. Shares timeline upon your approval with your venue, DJ/Band, and photographer so that everyone is on the same page wedding day.
Helps determine and manage your budget.
Attends site tours and menu tastings.
Brainstorms style ideas and coordinates design details.
Coordinates hotel room blocks and transportation.
Manages the rehearsal.
Oversees everything on the wedding day (makes sure everyone adheres to the timeline, handles any mishaps, manages vendors, and executes your vision on-site).
Hire a Wedding Planner If...
You have the budget for it
You want the least possible amount of wedding planning stress
You have a demanding job and not a lot of time to plan
You have no clue where to start when it comes to planning, and you lack organizational skills
You have a very short time frame for planning.
You want a destination wedding and/or a wedding weekend involving multiple events
What is a Wedding Designer or Stylist?
A wedding designers focus is mainly the aesthetics and doesn't include planning your wedding and they won't attend appointments alongside the bride or negotiate contracts. Wedding Designers/Stylists specialize in decor design, consulting on everything from floor plans, flowers, furniture rentals, linens, invitations, and lighting, They assist with the decisions that will give your wedding a cohesive and stylish look. The ability to design and create a wedding vision is a unique talent. It's more than choosing florals and tablecloths. A wedding designer has an artistic eye that allows them to transform a venue space with your initial ideas and vision.
Wedding Designer Roles
They will create the wedding's design concept
Provides color palette and inspiration boards
Oversees the floral, rentals, lighting, and stationery design decor budget and vendors in conjunction with a planner (If using one)
Arranges for special props and equipment
Attends several site visits to visualize and devise a layout and identify potential layout issues
Creates detailed and creative floor plans to flow with the venues space
Ensures all of the decor elements are delivered on-site at the wedding and oversees placement as per design
Oversees that the cleanup and removal of decor is handled in a timely and professional manner as per vendor strike time.
When to hire a Wedding Designer...
The decor is the most important element of the wedding for you.
If you have a wedding planner to coordinate with the designer or if you're confident in your organizational and logistical skills, but your creative skills are lacking.
You're trying to pull off a very specific vision or you have a multitude of ideas that you can't cohesively put together
What Does a Wedding Coordinator Do?
A wedding coordinator is logistically focused, but on a shorter timeline than a planner. At Two Girls in Pearls Events, we usually begin helping you prepare 6-8 weeks before the wedding and function as the point person on the wedding day. We will confirm vendor contracts and create a day-of timeline, as well as make sure things like payments and guest counts are in order, but we won't be involved in the earlier planning or keep track of your budget. Part of our job is to coordinate everything involved on the day of the event, from set up and tear down to making sure that everyone is on schedule. (including the wedding party). A month before the wedding gives us time to catch any errors or tweak details. With Two Girls in Pearls Events as your Day of Wedding Coordinator, everything is in order, nothing is forgotten, and you're able to enjoy your wedding day knowing you are in good hands.
Wedding Coordinator Duties
Meets with you four to eight weeks before the wedding to get an understanding of what you've planned so far.
Checks in with your vendors to review the signed contracts and confirm logistics.
Creates detailed timelines and floor plans. Shares timeline upon your approval with your venue, DJ/Band, and photographer so that everyone is on the same page wedding day.
Completes a final walk-through of the ceremony and reception sites if needed
Addresses any overlooked details
Manages the rehearsal.
Oversees everything on the wedding day.
Hire a Wedding Coordinator If...
You want to play an active role in planning your wedding but would like someone to take care of the last-minute details and make sure you haven't missed anything and to oversee the logistics of the day.
You're extremely organized and detail-oriented.
You don't have the budget for a full-service wedding planner but want the day to run smoothly.
A Little Advice...
Secure Your Vendors Early
Whether you're hiring a wedding planner, wedding designer, or a wedding coordinator, it's best to secure them as soon as you know your wedding date, even if they aren't getting involved until the month before. Some months are prime wedding months such as October.
Pricing and Budget
One of the first things your planner should tell you is to set your wedding budget before you start the planning phase. This gives you a realistic expectation of what you can work with financially. A designer or full-service wedding planner runs approximately 15 to 20 percent of the overall wedding budget depending on a planner's experience, what part of the U.S. they're based in, and how much time your wedding plans demand. If you can find a wedding designer that also offers wedding planning as well, it will be simpler dealing with one person and even better, cost effective.
Check References and Reviews
There is no certification required to be a wedding planner. Talent speaks for itself in photos on the planner's website, social media, or blog. Word of mouth referrals is still the best way to consider a wedding planner or other vendors you may need. Always read reviews and ask for references from other vendors and couples. This is one of the most important days of your life and you will want to hire your dream team!
What to do if you don't hire a Wedding Planner or Coordinator
Someone besides you or your mom (or even bridesmaids) needs to make sure the wedding day runs smoothly and that everything you've planned is executed properly. While most venue coordinators and catering teams are happy to handle basic on site logistics like arranging escort cards on a table or placing menu cards on each plate, remember that their loyalty is to their employer, not you (meaning they're making sure the food is served on time, not that the band is playing the correct song at your cake cutting or that your getaway car has arrived).
It would be unfair to expect your vendors to handle a job they weren't hired for, but it's helpful to tell them you don't have a planner, Professional vendors will do as much as they can to help but can't guarantee helping you. The best option is to ask a responsible, trusted friend to handle a few important tasks, like managing the timeline or handling any snags that arise with vendors, but you have to realize that this is not the person's profession and don't expect everything to be perfect,
We at Two Girls in Pearls Events understand that not all brides are the same and that each budget and vision will be different. While some brides want simple elegance others will dream of lush floral creations with luxury details. With an eye for detail and design, we offer the best of both worlds and listen to your wishes and dreams while guiding you effortlessly to make your planning and design come together in a cohesive and elegant manner. We work with some of the best wedding professionals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and across the nation to ensure your planning and design is to your expectations.
We start with a complimentary consultation to make sure we are a good fit to work together. Once we are contracted, we take the first step by sitting down with you and we listen. We hear what you dream, what you envision, and even what you do not like. (Yes that matters)! We love a good challenge and one of our favorite parts of wedding day is walking into the ballroom and seeing everything come to life. We've even been known to shed a few (happy) tears at weddings.
Let's talk! We are booking our initial consultations through Zoom if you aren't comfortable meeting in person yet due to the Covid situation. Please reach out to us and let us see how we can help you plan, style, and coordinate your wedding! Our email is info@twogirlsinpearlsevents.com or you can go to the Contact Us Page on our website www.twogirlsinpearlsevents.com and fill out a short questionnaire that will be directed to our email upon completion. We would love to work with you. Happy Planning!
