Planning your wedding is an exhilarating journey, filled with decisions that turn your day into a reflection of your love story.
If you’ve decided you need some professional support for your big day, how do you know what type of support you require? In the world of wedding organisation, there are three main roles to choose from:
- The Wedding Day Coordinator
- The Wedding Planner
- The Wedding Stylist
While they may seem similar at first glance, each plays a unique part in crafting your perfect day. Let's take a look at these roles to help you decide which expert(s) you might need to enlist for your special day.
Wedding Day Coordinator
Think of a Wedding Day Coordinator as your day-of superhero. They're the ones who make sure everything runs smoothly on your wedding day itself.
Unlike planners and stylists, co-ordinators are not as involved in the months of preparation. Their main role kicks in closer to the wedding date, often about a month in advance. They'll familiarise themselves with your plans, liaise with your vendors, and create a detailed timeline for the day. They will also likely help with a wedding rehearsal if you plan to have a run-through before your big day.
On the day, they're the first to arrive and the last to leave, ensuring every detail is executed as planned, from the timing of the ceremony to the setup of the reception. Hiring a Wedding Day Coordinator allows you and your family to fully immerse yourselves in the joy of the day, free from logistical worries. Just be aware that you won’t get any planning or design input from the coordinator.
Wedding Planner
A Wedding Planner is your guide through the entire journey of your wedding preparation. From the moment you start planning to the final dance at your reception, they're by your side.
Wedding Planners are experts who help with budgeting, scheduling, vendor referrals and overall management of your wedding vision. They will often have a good network of suppliers that can take the stress out of finding (and negotiating with) vendors such as caterers, florists and entertainment. Full-service wedding planners can also offer design advice, though their primary focus is on the organisational aspects.
Planners are especially valuable for couples who are trying to navigate a large or complex wedding, destination wedding or who have busy schedules and need someone to take the helm in managing the details of their big day. They will usually require a larger budget than either a wedding day coordinator or stylist due to the more hands-on nature of their work.
Wedding Stylist
A Wedding Stylist, or designer, is the architect of your wedding's aesthetic. Their role is to conceptualise and bring to life the look and feel of your wedding. This includes everything from the colour scheme and floral arrangements to the table settings and lighting.
Stylists work closely with you to understand your vision and translate it into a cohesive design that reflects your personality and story. They're up-to-date with the latest trends and have a keen eye for detail, ensuring that every element of your wedding is harmoniously styled.
While they focus on the visual aspects, they often collaborate with planners and coordinators to ensure the seamless integration of design and logistics.
Which Wedding Organiser Do You Need?
Deciding between a Wedding Day Coordinator, a Wedding Planner, and a Wedding Stylist depends on your needs, budget, and how much you want to be involved in the planning process.
- If you're all about the details and love planning, but want to ensure everything is actioned correctly on the day so you can enjoy yourself, a Wedding Day Coordinator might be all you need.
- If you're looking for someone to guide you through every step of the planning process, taking the stress off your shoulders and ensuring nothing is overlooked, a Wedding Planner is your go-to. Also, if you want a destination wedding (in a different country to where you live), a destination wedding planner will have a better idea of any specific requirements for getting married in that location along with local supplier contacts.
- If the visual aspect of your wedding is what you're most excited about, and you want to create a truly bespoke aesthetic, a Wedding Stylist will be your best choice, although you will need to ensure that the design plans can be executed.
Many professionals offer packages that blend these roles, and some may specialise in more than one area. The key is to communicate your vision clearly and choose the expert(s) who best align with your needs and dreams for your day.
Matthew Oliver Weddings - Luxury Destination Wedding Planners
Your wedding is a celebration of your unique love story, and the right professionals can help bring your vision to life. At Matthew Oliver Weddings we are luxury wedding planners that can help with every little detail of your special day.
We work closely with all our couples on the design aesthetic, logistics and execution of your wedding plans. We are very much wedding stylists and wedding day co-ordinators rolled into one 😊. We specialise in destination weddings, with an international venue and supplier network helping you to find the perfect setting and providers for your big day.
Say Hello today and start your journey to your dream wedding.
