Unless you’ve been involved in events as a career, or are an avid planner of personal parties, planning probably the largest most expensive event of your life can be incredibly overwhelming. But where there’s demand, there’s supply, and this is certainly true for the wedding industry.
Firstly, let’s clarify the difference between the two. The main being the cost, and the amount of involvement they have in the wedding. A wedding planner is more of a decision maker and although the final decision obviously lies with the couple, they are there to suggest and propose ideas using their extensive experience and contacts. A wedding planner allows the couple to just deal with them rather than having to manage different suppliers like caterers, bands, photographers, florists etc.
Whether you’re creative and have plenty of ideas you just need help implementing, or you want to be guided through from theme ideas all the way up to the big day, a planner can be great. We especially suggest using one if you’re having a marquee wedding at home, as they are a whole different kettle of fish to organise!
In addition to the organising and choosing from endless options, weddings are incredibly admin heavy and can feel like a full-time job. Wedding planners can take away this element entirely, by managing guest lists, dietary requirements, accommodation bookings and even gift lists.
A wedding coordinator can be provided through a wedding venue or can also be hired individually. Their role is to ensure your plans are carried out correctly and on time, so you don’t have to stress about a thing on the big day. They are often only involved on the day or sometimes the day before also.
Wedding planners are also often coordinators on the day itself or bring someone in to fill this role. They certainly do not leave you high and dry on the main event.
How much should you expect to pay for a wedding planner or coordinator? How long is a piece of string! Some have a set cost; some take a percentage of the overall budget. It’s a good idea to set aside 12.5% of your overall budget if you’re just starting the planning process. It’s also worth considering how much you value your own time when making the decision on whether to hire one – it may seem extravagant but if you can think of 1001 things you’d rather be doing with your evenings and weekends than ‘wedmin’ – they’re worth every penny. Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that planning a wedding typically takes up to 250 hours – ouch.
Wedding coordinators usually quote using a fixed day rate or package which can then be adapted to your requirements. If you are getting married at a wedding venue, they are often included in your venue cost or as an add on.
A wedding planner can also save money in the long run. They have experience knowing where suppliers can be squeezed on quotes and can often get different rates due to regular use of suppliers, for example the hiring of equipment.
Wedding planners we recommend…
We’ve been lucky enough to have worked with many wonderful wedding planners over the years, both local, national and even international. Here are a few of our favourites, but warning, get in contact quick if you’re interested!
Kerry is a big hitter in the Cotswolds. She knows everything there is to know about Cotswold venues and suppliers and can often be spotted at Cornwell Manor. She’s been featured in countless industry press articles and has a fabulous creative flair mixed with a super cool head.
There aren’t many venues Michelle hasn’t worked at. If you’re looking for a big wow, she’s your person. Check out her Instagram for the proof!
Another local genius who can be found planning luxury weddings all over the world. Jane is such a joy to work with and we’re super excited for all the weddings we’ve got planned with her this year!
Hopefully this has helped clear things up if you were unsure and remember we are always here if you need any advice!
Sophie – Marketing