Wedding Planner, Coordinator or Stylist - What’s the Difference?
You’ve just gotten engaged and there’s a lot of content out there to siphon through, it can quickly become overwhelming. You'll encounter the terms "stylist," "planner," and "coordinator" frequently, and while each has its own role, there are many overlaps. So, how do you decide? We've created this simple wedding dictionary to help you determine what you need to start your journey, saving you both time and money.
Your wedding planner has meticulously brought together all the details of your wedding to the final day. Photo credit: Lei Lei Clavey
Wedding planner
At the top of the hierarchy is the wedding planner. Typically hired at the beginning of your wedding journey, a wedding planner is invaluable if you prefer not to handle everything on your own. Their responsibilities start from day one, helping you choose all your vendors, from the venue to the smallest details like wedding favors. Your wedding planner should compare contracts between vendors and assemble the right team to bring your wedding day to life while performing problem solving and logistics tasks in the background.
Some wedding planners also offer styling services, often at a reduced rate. If you're on a tight budget but need both planning and styling services, a multidisciplinary company like Cene Studio offers combined packages which might be ideal for you.
Benefits of hiring a wedding planner:
Creates structure for your wedding journey.
Has a large network of trusted and recommended vendors.
Brings experience, understanding all the ins and outs of planning, sourcing, and executing.
Acts as the main point of contact for anything wedding-related, saving you from numerous emails and meetings.
Provides security and peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy personal tasks like choosing your dress and planning your honeymoon.
The wedding coordinator jumps in at the last few weeks to assist with organising logistics and pulling the event together in the absence of a stylist or a planner. Photo credit: Analog Modern
Wedding Coordinator
A coordinator typically steps in on your wedding day or in the weeks leading up to it. Think of a coordinator as a partial planner who steps in at the last moment to pull everything together. They help execute your wedding day, ensuring everything runs according to plan and that the venue is set up as required.
You might hire a coordinator if you've planned your wedding yourself and an extra hand at the end.
Types of Coordinators:
Wedding Coordinator: Starts about 8 weeks before your wedding, ideal if you've done most of the planning but need help organizing logistics and setting up the venue.
Bridal Coordinator: Acts more like a personal assistant, helping you get ready, managing hair and makeup, and ensuring you arrive at the venue. Their service ends once venue coordination begins.
On-the-Day Coordinator: Focuses solely on the wedding day, perfect if you've planned everything but need someone to ensure the venue is set up as required.
At Cene, we offer all three coordination options depending on your needs. You can learn more about our packages here or contact us directly for more information.
Benefits of hiring a coordinator:
Cost-effective yet helpful in finalising your wedding details
Provides peace of mind on your wedding day, ensuring everything comes together seamlessly
Handles any last-minute problem-solving on your big day
Wedding Stylist
A wedding stylist, while independent of a coordinator will include on-the-day coordination services. Your stylist focuses on all things aesthetic, designing the event space from the ground up within your budget. They may also design or coordinate your stationery, cake, and floristry.
Benefits of Hiring a Stylist:
Provides a cohesive aesthetic and vision
Has expert knowledge in products and decor, eliminating the stress of working out quantities yourself
Helps manage your styling budget to gain the most visual impact possible
Stylists help put the finishing touches on the guest tables. Photo credit: Kristen Cook
When planning a wedding, it can quickly become overwhelming and expensive. There's no right or wrong way to do it, but following the hierarchy of planner, coordinator, and stylist can simplify the process. If you're feeling particularly overwhelmed, starting with a planner is your best bet. While their fee is higher than hiring a coordinator or stylist alone, they can save you money in other areas, making their service a worthwhile investment for a perfect wedding and preserving your sanity.
For more information about the services mentioned, you can contact us by clicking here.
Happy planning!