Southern Charm Events is a Jacksonville, Florida based company, but we’ve been doing weddings in the South for years! We often hear the questions “What does a wedding coordinator versus a wedding planner do?” Brides are confused about which one you need. Or if you need one at all? Maybe you even think you can’t afford help, despite knowing you need it. One thing we ALWAYS say, is if you are not sure, schedule a consultation (many are free) and explain what you think you need ! A true professional will be more concerned with finding just the right services for you than trying to sell you “package.
That said, we want to answer some common questions for you so that you are prepared!
First, and most importantly… What is the difference between a coordinator & planner? The easiest way to answer this is to explain what each one does. Planner: A planner s someone that helps the Bride or Couple through all the little details that need to be done and planned. The Planner may be hired from the very beginning to assist with the selection of a venue and vendors. A planner may also be involved in things such as creating a budget and helping the Bride stick to this budget, creation of invitations and the proper etiquette in wording and mailing, collecting and organizing the RAVP’s, selecting the menu, the cake and linens and decor. Coordinator: A coordinator usually does not come on board until close to the end of the planning. This person will use their organizing skills to help the Couple with logistics and timing on the day of. They are like an insurance policy for the day. A Coordinator may also be a service that is offered through a venue to assist the Bride with the Ceremony. Keep in mind this is merely a min-service of getting the Bride down the aisle and does not entail any other help. Professional Coordinators will make sure all the vendors know what is expected of them and when and where they need to be. The Coordinator is there to handle any last minute emergencies or problems that may arise on the day of the event. Aren’t they the same thing?/•Why would a bride need planning services versus coordinating services? Actually they can be one person that does both of these jobs and in many situations they are. However, there are times when only one of these services is needed. If you are in the very beginning of the planning stages, you may think you only need help with finding vendors. On the other hand, you may have already hired all your vendors and only need help with making sure the Wedding Day is a success and everything coordinated and in place. No matter what you need, it is very important to understand the differences when interviewing a prospective professional; to ask the right questions and let them know what services you are looking for. Many professionals will be able to glean from what you are telling them exactly the services that best suit your needs.
What is the biggest misconception about what you do? We are finding that many folks have absolutely no idea what we do and thus have a lot of misconceptions about our services. First off, we are not like they see on television. We do not come and tell them we hate their dress and decor and change it to our tastes. Even if we had the budget to do this, that would not be something I would ever do. As your planner and/or coordinator, we do not “decorate” or set up all your DIY decor. Another huge misconception is that we are a “Lady in Waiting” for the day. While a big part of our job is to make sure the day is less stressful for the Bride and her family, it does not mean we are by the Bride’s side all day long to take care of all of her personal needs and clean up bridal rooms behind the Bride and her bridal party. Those duties should fall on the Maid of Honor or a hired “Lady in Waiting”, which can be an additional service offered by a planner or coordinator.
How does hiring a professional wedding planner save money in the long run (even for a DIY bride) One of the huge advantages to hiring a professional planner is they have established relationships with other professionals. They know exactly where to send a Bride so she can get the most bang for her buck. In a lot of situations, certain pros will offer a discount to a PWP’s client because they know she will make their job a lot easier too. A professional wedding planner listens to the Bride’s expectations and takes a look at her budget to help her determine which professional might be the best fit. Once this is narrowed down, the PWP is able to direct the Bride to that individual saving her time and money just in finding the perfect fit. A PWP also helps the Bride see what areas can be cut back or offer alternative but similar and less expensive ideas.
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