Wedding Coordinator, Planner, Designer....What's the Difference?

Wedding Coordinator... Wedding Planner... Event Designer.  These terms are commonly used interchangeably, and understandly their servcies can be confusing.  A coordinator is a not a planner and a planner may or may not be a designer.  So what's the difference?

The Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator is your basic essential to having a happy, stree-free wedding day.  Many coordinators are planners as well, and offer additional packages that include planning assitance.  Coordinators, in essence, are around to tie up loose ends and make sense of all the plans you have put into place.  They typically step in anywhere from a month to a week out from your wedding day- but not more than that, unless specified in your contract.  A "site coordinator" is absolutely different from a hired coordinator.  Do not be misinformed on this:  Almost every venue has an assigned coordinator.  YOUR wedding coordinator will be there from sun up to sun down, should your wedding require it, to ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch.

The Wedding Planner
A wedding planner is a professional that guides you through the process and facilitate the necessary details like vendor selections, budget tracking, and timeline/calendar management.  Their expertise and experience play an imperative role in pairing you with vendors to fit your personality, budget, and needs.  Most wedding planners are coordinators and will be there to oversee and execute your wedding day.  Please note that a planner's purpose is to guide the couple through the engagement period.  You can think of them as a wedding manager- they aren't typically hired to inject their style or ideas or to come up with a wedding's concept, but many planners have the ability to step up to the plate, creatively speaking, if neccessary.  Many fear that a wedding planner will challenge their creative concept.... That's definitely not the case- we are here to foster that creativity and ensure that the vendors you hire are the ones that will compliment the vision.

The Event Designer
Event designers are hired based on their previous work and reviews.  Their design is a concept of your conveyed vision for your wedding, from lighting to linens.  It also works for brides who have a difficult time articulating their own vision, or who simply don't want to be bothered with the details.  Events designers are known for their unique sense of style and their portfolio should reflect just that.  Usually, they take your ideas, pictures, and vision and create something stunningly you! Not all event designers are planners.  They may not want anything to do with planning/coordinating your wedding details.  This is something to be addressed before signing a contract.

Regardless of which you choose (coordinator, planner, or designer), the professional needs to be hired in the beginning of your process.  Most brides concern themselves with details that should be lower on the priority list, like buying a bridal gown before solidfying the venue, example- the venue strongly anchors the type of style you, and the entire wedding party, will be going for....

So, in conclusion, hiring the RIGHT wedding professional will greatly minimize stress and ultimately save you money.

Always remember, you get what you pay for....