One of the most stressful parts for couples getting married is putting all of the pieces together. You may know how you want your reception decorated, but how do you make that fit with your dress, venue and catering? You may not even be sure what type of vibe you are going for. These are all things that can cause unnecessary stress during a time that should be fun and exciting.
Many couples take the next step to the organization and hire a wedding planner, but are you sure that is the person that you need? There are actually a couple of different professionals that you can hire to help you with different elements of your wedding.
Depending on what type of help you need, the amount of money in your budget for help planning and where you are at in the planning process, will all determine where you actually need help when it comes to planning your dream wedding. So, who should you be looking to for help?
Planner
A wedding planner is usually the person you think of when you think of someone helping you with your wedding day checklist. They are usually the most common helper that couples hire during their planning process. They put in the most amount of hours, usually between 80 to 250 depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. They will handle contracts, schedules and will attend all meetings with your vendors.
This is the person that you want to hire if you have no clue what you’re doing and are feeling overwhelmed. They can help you determine pretty much anything you need help with including your budget, hotel rooms, transportation, rehearsals and every single detail you could imagine. If you are in over your head and need someone to overhaul the process for you, a wedding planner is what you need!
Coordinator
A coordinator is most often confused with a wedding planner. They are a similar job, but on a smaller scale. While a wedding planner takes the reigns of most of the responsibilities, the coordinator only works about 25 hours. They join in on your wedding planning usually about a month before the wedding as the main contact person on the big day. They are the biggest role when it comes to completing the wedding day checklist.
This person handles everything directly before the wedding and on the day of. If you need someone to take care of last minute details, so that you can relax, but you don’t need a full-fledged planner, then a wedding coordinator is probably your best bet! This is also a great option if you need help with details, but your budget doesn't allow for the cost of a planner.
Designer
The last option you may consider hiring for your special day is a wedding designer. This person is pretty much exactly what it sounds like - someone to help you with the design concept. This person puts in about 40 hours and provides guidance on aesthetics, color palettes, floor plans and other decor elements. They will typically devise a layout and identify any potential problems. They ensure all of the decor elements are in place on the day of the wedding and they will help you source props, equipment and other decor you need.
A wedding designer is someone you would want to hire if you are placing the highest importance on the decor and aesthetic of your wedding and don’t necessarily need someone to take control of the wedding day checklist. If you are confident in your planning and organization skills but aren’t so sure what to do creatively, a wedding planner will help you determine a very specific theme and give you plenty of ideas!
Wedding planning does not need to be stressful! With a little bit of help, it can be smooth sailing! We love working with couples and planners alike, so reach out to us today and we can help you book your date and make your planning as simple as possible!
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