Weddings are like having children (well, only in planning them), meaning that they don’t come with an instruction manual. For many brides, the idea of planning their big day is overwhelming. Hiring a wedding planner can help reduce stress, keep things on track, and ensure that the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed. But do you need a wedding planner in Lexington or wedding coordinator – or are they the same?
What is a Wedding Planner in Lexington?
A wedding planner is tasked to care for all of the “logistics” of planning a wedding. They do everything from bargaining and negotiating costs with vendors to making sure that your day goes off without a hitch. Their job is to make sure that everything from the first day of planning to the time you drive away for your honeymoon is taken care of without you having to worry. Some planners provide things like design and styling services, while others defer to a wedding designer, which can get really expensive.
What are the Duties of a Wedding Planner?
A wedding planner has several duties, including:
- Create floor plans and timelines
- Choose, negotiate, and schedule the vendors that you use for your wedding
- Track all payments to vendors
- Manage your budget for you
- Attend all of the vendor site tours, as well as the tasting and floral meetings
- Coordinate with you on the fine details
- Booking hotel rooms and transportation for out-of-town guests
- Managing the rehearsal dinner and arrangements
- Overseeing everything on the wedding day
What is a Wedding Coordinator?
A wedding coordinator is not as full-service as a wedding planner. They tend to be on the scene for a shorter amount of time to help problem-solve and then leave you to your own devices. They usually help you to prepare right before the wedding date (usually about a month before), and they are more like the go-to for your wedding day.
Although they will confirm your vendors, they typically won’t choose them or worry about payments to them. Their job is literally “coordinating” your day, and nothing else. A wedding coordinator takes up where you left off after you have planned most of the wedding details. Their real value is to take care of your wedding day details so that you can be in the moment and enjoy the celebration, instead of worrying about everything behind the scenes.
What are the Duties of a Wedding Coordinator?
A wedding coordinator has duties that are more related to the wedding day itself, some of which include:
- Meeting about a month before your wedding to discuss what you have already accomplished
- Check with vendors to confirm their participation
- Create floor plans and timelines
- Complete final walk-throughs of the reception and ceremony site
- Address any details that might have fallen through the cracks
- Managing the rehearsal
- Overseeing the day itself
So which is right for you? Hiring either a wedding planner or a wedding coordinator depends on several factors, which include cost. A wedding planner tends to cost a lot more than a wedding coordinator. Also, those who want more control over their wedding planning might do better by hiring a coordinator just so that they can enjoy their special day without worry. At Catering by the Deft Chef, we work closely with your wedding coordinator or wedding planner in Lexington to ensure that your wedding is as spectacular as you dream. Contact us today, and let’s get started on planning your day to make it as special as possible!