What Does a Wedding Planner REALLY Do?

WHAT DOES A WEDDING PLANNER REALLY DO?

Simply put, a wedding planner helps you plan your wedding. This includes helping you refine the vision, recommending vendors, providing logistical support (i.e. timelines, scheduling, etc.), design advice, choreographing all day-of events, and much more!

Besides the above details, a wedding planner is a great resource if (when) emotionally charged situations arise during the course of wedding planning or even the day-of. They are capable of providing an objective opinion and calming presence when opinions differ. Outside influences (*ahem,* in-laws) will have strong ideas about what your wedding should look like and what details should be included. A high-quality wedding planner will help you navigate potentially treacherous situations with poise and grace while they act as a convenient scapegoat when unpopular decisions are made (wink wink).

Additionally, a wedding planner is experienced in all nuances of planning your big day. Unless you are a wedding planner yourself, this is especially valuable. These professionals recognize it's the infinite details that produce the perfect wedding. And, when an unplanned detail does arise (because it always will!), wedding planners are trained to respond quickly, calmly, and creatively.

Looking to hire one? Check out our services!

“SO, WHY DO I NEED A WEDDING PLANNER? CAN’T I JUST HAVE MY MOM DO IT?”

While there’s no doubt a TON of your friends and family will gladly volunteer to plan your wedding, unless you’re providing payment, they probably won’t take the responsibility as seriously as a pro will. Plus, your Aunt Karen would rather celebrate you and your new spouse versus running around making sure the groomsmen behave, the cake gets delivered, and the schedule runs smoothly.

Photo by Emma Hopp. Seating charts coming soon to Melena Guevara Design!

"BUT MY VENUE PROVIDES A COORDINATOR. CAN’T I JUST USE THEM?"

Probably not. Another common misconception about wedding planners is they are interchangeable with day-of or venue coordinators. What’s the difference, anyways?

Day-of coordinators take care of the logistical details on your wedding day, and usually only work with you for the month prior to your wedding. Venues often require day-of coordinators if they do not provide a venue coordinator. Neither a day-of coordinator nor a venue coordinator will help you refine your vision, build your budget, navigate vendors, offer design suggestions, or provide assistance with any other specifics. Day-of and venue coordinators usually ONLY help with the multitude of details that must be addressed in the month leading up to your big day including: confirming vendors, creating the schedule and choreographing day-of events.

Similarly, venue coordinators do not help with tasks which normal wedding planners do. In fact, their primary job is representing the venue - not the couple. While many great venue coordinators are available- who consistently go above and beyond- it’s never a guarantee.

Wedding planners and day-of coordinators represent YOU, the couple, and have your best interests at heart. They are contractually bound to do so! In a wedding planner, you have a hired partner-in-crime, whose sole purpose is to make the best day of your life as beautiful and seamless as possible.

What are some other questions you have about wedding planners? Comment below!