What Does a Wedding Planner Actually Do?

Planning a wedding can be such an exciting journey, but as you start thinking about all the details, decisions, and research involved, you can quickly go from having fun to feeling frazzled. With a full-time job, volunteering, and spending time with loved ones, finding the time and energy to plan can be a challenge, even with a helpful family member.  But what happens when a family member’s opinions become too much? Or when the wedding weekend arrives and they want to enjoy the fun? This is where a wedding planner can step in and alleviate the stress, guide you through the decision-making process, and ensure that you and your loved ones can fully enjoy the day. 

So what does a wedding planner actually do?

Wedding planners are industry experts who can offer invaluable resources to create a personalized, seamless, and FUN event while respecting your budget. A planner allows you, and anyone else involved in the planning process, the chance to focus on the overall details and what most consider the exciting parts of the planning process (menu tasting, design, etc.). All while they handle the logistics and back and forth details with the vendors involved. 

Many planning companies, like Philosofi Celebrations, offer a variety of packages ranging from Wedding Management (some planners call this day-of coordination) to Full Service Wedding Planning and beyond. These packages vary between companies, but the core of what planners do is ensure the wedding day runs smoothly. Sounds simple, right? The reality is your planner will spend anywhere from 30-40 hours on event management and 150+ hours for full-service. Plus around an average of 12 hours straight on your wedding day alone! Let’s briefly break down the high-level difference between a wedding management package and a full-service package, and what a planner might be responsible for in each of these offerings:

Wedding Management:

• Assists in communicating final details and logistics with vendors you selected
• Collaborates with your vendor team to create a comprehensive wedding timeline for your vendor team and loved ones
• Is onsite on the wedding day directing vendors and ensuring the timeline is being followed and the day runs smoothly

Full-Service Wedding Planning:

• Is with you from the beginning, sometimes even before you’ve selected a date and venue
• Assists in establishing a vision and realistic budget 
• Connects you with professional vendors to bring your vision to life and will review all contracts
• Communicates all details and logistics with vendors throughout the entire planning process
• Collaborates with your vendor team to create a timeline and is onsite on the wedding day to ensure its execution, just like with wedding management

While planning packages offer many essential services, there are countless other tasks that your planner can do to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience for you and your loved ones.

Some of these unknown services are:

1. Wipes down your ceremony chairs after an unexpected rain shower
2. Carries your lipstick in our pocket so you have it when you need it
3. Makes sure you get appetizers, dinner, and your favorite beverage in hand all night
4. Magically gets all your personal items packed up and where they need to go post-event
5. Makes sure there is a plate and forks by your cake before you cut it so that your ceremonial slice has a place to go
6. Makes sure you have your room key/phone/wallet at the end of the night before you leave
7. Stops the band from warming up/doing sound check during your ceremony (if reception is close by)
8. Stops drunk guests or unplanned guests from getting on the mic to give a toast or speech
9. Handles all big family/friend personalities and gives them jobs if you need space from them
10. Helps out photographer/videographer to get the perfect shot. (throws veil in the air for a wind-blown shot, holds extra lights, crouches behind you holding dress so it doesn’t get dirty, etc.)

Ultimately, a wedding planner is an essential investment that brings expertise, experience, and peace of mind to your special day.  Trust your planner and know that they have your best interests at heart.

Realizing a wedding planner sounds good right about now? I’d love to chat and answer any questions you might have about hiring a planner!