Which Do You Need: Planner Versus Coordinator?

When you are planning your wedding, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. There are so many things to figure out and so many questions to answer. It can be hard to know where to start! When you start to consider hiring either a wedding planner versus coordinator, you wonder which one you need. Further confusing the issue, sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. We will try to disentangle the roles so you can better understand your needs.

Put as simply as possible, a wedding planner helps you plan and carry out your wedding and a wedding coordinator makes sure the day of your wedding everything runs smoothly. A wedding planner does it all, a wedding coordinator basically acts in your best interest the day of the wedding. Planner versus Coordinator, which do you need? Read more detailed explanations below and decide for yourself.

What Is A Wedding Planner?Planner versus coordinator

First of all, a wedding planner is a professional that you hire and depending on your plans, may be one of the most fundamental parts of having an amazing wedding day. Along with their expert wedding planning advice, guidance, and organization, a wedding planner versus coordinator can handle all the little things you may need an extra hand to cover. Wedding planners handle the logistics, the planning and the day-of execution. A good wedding planner makes the process seamless and smooth and as stress-free as possible.

Things A Wedding Planner Can Do For You

    • Provides vendor referrals and negotiates contracts
    • Schedules and attends all vendor meetings
    • Creates detailed timelines and floor plans
    • Helps determine and manage your budget
    • Attends site tours and menu tasting.
    • Brainstorms style ideas and coordinates design details
    • Coordinates hotel room blocks and transportation
    • Manages the rehearsal
    • Oversees everything on the wedding day including the timeline, any issues that come up, vendors, room flips, etc.

Reasons To Hire A Wedding Planner versus Coordinator

    • Least possible amount of wedding-related stress
    • No free time
    • No clue where to start planning
    • Organizational skills aren’t the greatest
    • Short time frame
    • Destination wedding 
    • Wedding weekend involving multiple events

What Is A Wedding Coordinator?

Unlike a wedding planner, a coordinator does not have to be a professional. Your wedding coordinator could be a professional or your mother’s best friend, one of your best friends, an uncle, a cousin or anyone you trust to act in your best interests the day of your wedding. A wedding coordinator is focused on the day of the wedding, functioning as the point person. They will work with you to create a day-of timeline and then coordinate everything for you on your wedding day.

Things A Wedding Coordinator Can Do For You

    • Meets with you before the wedding to understand the plan for your day
    • Coordinates with vendors on deliveries (food, cake, flowers, rentals, etc.)
    • Creates a detailed timeline with you for the day of your wedding
    • Completes a final walk-through of the ceremony and reception sites
    • Addresses any overlooked details
    • Manages the rehearsal
    • Oversees everything on the wedding day

Reasons To Have A Wedding Coordinator

    • You want someone to take care of the last-minute details and make sure you haven’t missed anything
    • You want to enjoy your wedding day
    • To relieve the stress of last-minute issues

Planner versus Coordinator, which do you need? Hampton Roads Event Center is ready to work with you and your wedding planner versus coordinator or neither! No matter what you choose, we are here to help. If you are interested in learning more about HREC and what we have to offer for your big day, review our website. We have beautiful images and answers to all of your questions. When you are ready to reserve your date, you can even do that right on our website. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!