Planning a wedding is a thrilling and joyous experience, but it can also be a high-stress whirlwind of decision-making, countless to-do lists, phone calls and an overflowing email inbox, and trust me when I say that all of the before mentioned can suck the joy right out of the experience!

Luckily, this high-pressure email-overloaded environment is exactly where an expert wedding planner exists – no, THRIVES!

Perhaps you’ve been on the fence about a planner and/or coordinator?

Perhaps you don’t see value for money in the service they provide.

Remember, every love story is unique, and a wedding planner will tailor their services to your specific needs, ensuring your vision becomes a reality.

Embrace the opportunity to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime by entrusting the planning and coordination of your wedding to the hands of experts!

Before we get into the difference between a wedding planner and coordinator. Let’s take a look at the three benefits of booking a wedding planner for your big day.

What are The Benefits of Booking A Wedding Planner?

1. Professional Guidance and Expertise

One of the most significant advantages of hiring a wedding planner is their professional guidance and expertise.

These professionals are well-versed in the art of planning weddings and possess invaluable knowledge about the latest trends, vendors, and venues, and they will carefully listen to your vision and preferences, providing tailored recommendations and creative ideas that align with your style and budget.

With their support, you can transform your dreams into a reality, allowing you to truly enjoy every step of the planning process.

2. Your Time is Valuable

Planning a wedding demands an enormous investment of time and effort. From scouting venues to coordinating with vendors and managing the intricate details, the sheer amount of leg work that needs to be done can quickly become overwhelming!

This is where a wedding planner becomes your ultimate time and stress saver.

They will handle the logistical aspects, vendor negotiations, the intricate timelines, allowing you to focus on cherishing the journey and embracing the romance leading up to your special day.

3. Budgeting and Cost Efficiency

Weddings come with their fair share of expenses, and staying within budget can be a daunting task.

Wedding planners possess exceptional budgeting skills and extensive industry connections, enabling them to maximise your budget while still delivering your desired vision.

They will help you allocate your funds wisely, negotiate with vendors, and provide alternatives that fit your financial constraints without compromising on quality and style.

Now that you get a better idea of why you need a wedding planner, let’s talk about the difference between the two and shed some light on the distinct role of a wedding coordinator.

Wedding Planners vs Coordinators – What’s The Difference?

A common misconception we see about wedding planners and coordinators (commonly known as On-the-Day Coordination or OTDC) is that they are the same job.

This is probably in part due to the fact that:

• The wedding planner is quite often engaged as the coordinator.
• Wedding Planning packages often offer Coordination as part of the package inclusions.

No doubt using your wedding planner as the OTDC is an easy next step given the intricate behind-the-scenes knowledge of your big day the wedding planner already has.

However, that these two roles are distinct, though, as while a wedding planner oversees the entire planning process from their engagement right up to the night before, a wedding coordinator focuses specifically on the day-of execution. I mean marriage!

Also, you may opt to choose another company for OTDC, or perhaps, your chosen venue includes one in their pricing, it is important to note that a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator still wear two very different hats!

Many high-end venues want to ensure a flawless day for their couples, so they will include this in their packages, which is an added bonus for couples. However, we still recommend the assistance of a wedding coordinator whom you have sourced yourself and will work hard to make your vision seen on the day!

Your coordinator will collaborate closely with you and your wedding planner in the lead-up to your big day to ensure all your meticulously arranged details come to life flawlessly. The venue coordinator will do a handover with your planner, and from there onwards is responsible for managing vendors, handling last-minute changes, and troubleshooting any unexpected hiccups, guaranteeing a stress-free wedding day for you and your partner.

So, do I really need an On-The-Day Coordinator?

Now you might be thinking, “If all the planning is done why can’t I just coordinate myself? Surely there isn’t that much to do”

Here’s a small (but hardly complete) list of things that (hopefully) don’t go wrong:

• Last-minute venue changes due to rain
• Vendors having difficulty bumping in or have questions for the bride or groom
• Important family and friends are not by your side because they are on-site doing the coordination
• The caterers don’t have enough ice or fridge space for the food to be kept refrigerated in because the groomsmen overloaded the fridge with too much beer
• The guests bus broke down on the way to the venue
• Your sausage dog ran off with the wedding rings 30 minutes prior to your ceremony starting!

On your wedding day, we believe you deserve to be fully present, immersed in the love and joy of the moment, rather than dealing with the above!

So, to wrap up all things planning and coordination, we believe that booking a wedding planner and considering a coordinator is a winning combination that ensures your wedding day unfolds with elegance, grace, and enchantment.

With our years of expertise, guidance, and passion for creating magical moments at MJWED, you will be sure to experience a stress-free journey to your dream wedding.

If you are looking for a wedding planner and/or coordinator, check out our bespoke wedding services for your big day.

Wedding Photographer: Fire N Honey Images