I want to take the time to assist some brides with clarifying the difference between a wedding coordinator, wedding planner and a event designer. These terms are used interchangeably within the wedding industry, but there is a difference.
A wedding coordinator stays by your side throughout the day and night of your event. All the details that you’ve planned will be forward to your wedding coordinator to oversee that your needs are met during your wedding. They are there to tell you when things will be occurring throughout the night, such as the cake cutting, bouquet toss, toasts, cueing you down the aisle, etc. In addition, the wedding coordinator on the day of the wedding has a few duties that they pay close attention to, such as creating a timeline, setting up, and communicating with your vendors. My Bridal Budget staff personally stays until the very end of the wedding, until all of the guests are gone. There are coordinators that offer day of coordination and month and day of coordination services.
A wedding planner helps you plan your wedding from A to Z throughout your engagement. They are hired to help you with venue/vendor selection, assistance in selecting décor/ theme, attending essential vendor meetings, budget guidance, coordinating your rehearsal, and any details along the way. The wedding planner will be your bestfriend at the end of your experience. This becomes a special bond between the couple and wedding planner- it is very important that the couple is comfortable and confident in their selection for a planner. Please note that a wedding planner is simply to guide you through the process with you having the control of the choices you decide. Their expertise and experience play an essential role in pairing you with vendors to fit your budget, personality, style and needs. Many wedding planners are coordinators as well.
Typically, some planners are event designers. Event designers are perfect for a couple that just can’t articulate their own décor vision. Event designers are the crème de la crème for weddings. They are hired based on their beautiful past design projects. They’re known for taking care of your floral and linen design as well, such as centerpiece arrangements and more.
Whether you need a wedding coordinator, wedding planner or event designer, all roles can achieve a wedding that is truly you. It all depends what your needs are as well as your budget before you decide on your selection.
