by: Lauren

A few {Thursday Tips} ago I wrote about the differences between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator. Today I thought I would touch on the differences between having a wedding planner and having a day-of coordinator.

 {Thursday Tips} Full Planning VS Day Of Coordination via TheELD.com

The professional who handles both of these instances (full planning and day-of coordination) is definitely a wedding planner- that is the profession title. A wedding planner plans full weddings, and a wedding planner also just does wedding day-of coordination. Either way, he or she is a wedding planner- the difference in what they do is in the packages. Most wedding planners do offer different packages (read: different priced packages), which will include different things. The two ends of the spectrum are commonly Full Planning and Day-Of Coordination. I like listing things out, so I just figured I would touch on some of the key points for the two options.

Full Planning:

– This means that your wedding planner will assist you in everything for your wedding: venue selection, vendor selection, dress selection, colors, designing your wedding, etc etc.

– He or she will be available to you to attend meetings and handle vendor appointments and contracts.

– Full wedding planning is often a good selection when you’re just starting out with planning your wedding or having a destination wedding.

– The planner will also of course be there with you on the day of your wedding. He or she will handle anything that arises, make sure vendors arrive for setup, and keep everything running smoothly.

– You can still have a wedding planner and be able to actually plan your wedding. It’s really helpful to know about vendors before you enter unknown territory, and this is one benefit to having a wedding planner that makes it totally worth it. You just let your planner know how involved you want/need him or her to be.

– Basically, with a wedding planner, you have the opportunity to not have much to worry about or do, except say yes or no to things that your planner suggests and provide him or her with your vision, choices, and wants.

 

Day-Of Coordination:

– Day-Of Coordination is really “Month-Of” Coordination, but for some reason the industry hasn’t quite adopted that term yet. Any planner who comes in the day-of or day before your wedding is going to stress you out as the bride because they won’t be fully educated about everything going on with your wedding.

– You plan the majority of your wedding, and then your planner steps in the last month to take over and handle all of the details. He or she will gather all of the information from you about what you’ve planned, and then take over from there. (Some planners do still offer their vendor list or recommendations when you hire them for day-of coordination, it just depends on the person.)

– Your planner will confirm all of your vendors, create a timeline for your wedding, and run your ceremony rehearsal.

– The planner will of course be there at your wedding on the day of as well. He or she will handle anything that arises, make sure vendors arrive for setup, and keep everything running smoothly.

 

There are of course other options in between “full” and “day-of”, but these are just the end of both spectrums. And of course there are also tons and tons of other things that both options entail, but I didn’t want to write a book today. :) Either way, no matter which option you go with, you still have a wedding planner. Whether or not the wedding planner is actually planning your wedding depends on the package that you get. With both options (and all of the other options in between), your stress level on the day of your wedding will be greatly reduced, and hopefully nonexistent!

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Click here for more posts about wedding planners!

 

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{Thursday Tips} Full Planning VS Day Of Coordination via TheELD.com

Lauren

Founder & Editor at Every Last Detail
Lauren Grove is the editor and owner of Every Last Detail. A clueless bride-turned-wedding planner, Lauren uses her experiences and knowledge to educate and inspire brides all over the world.

3 responses to {Thursday Tips} Full Planning VS Day-Of Coordination

We love your comments, but please remember to keep them kind and positive, as this is a place for inspiration and sharing information. We have the right to remove or not approve any negative or harmful comments.
  1. Drish

    Great Article – I love what you do for us planners in regards to educating brides! I especially loved your PS – I saw that episode and was appalled by how that planner acted – especially in regards to the clients personal interests/lifestyle. I dont care how established or famous you are – every client should be treated with respect.

  2. Laura

    Thx ao much for the article! It’s helped me to decide what type of package to book with the planner I liked :)

  3. Claire

    Great article. It provides some really good information to those future brides getting ready to plan their wedding.

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