What exactly does a wedding planner do? There’s a lot more than you’d think. Take a look at our list of wedding planner responsibilities you may not be aware of.
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A professional wedding organiser is one of the most important aspects of having an unforgettable wedding day, but you may not know the full spectrum of wedding planner responsibilities beyond day-of coordination. A wedding planner can manage all—and we mean all— of the little things you may need an extra hand to cover, in addition to their experienced wedding planning advice, guidance, and organising.
So, what exactly is a wedding planner’s job? We have taken inspiration from wedding planner Erin McLean of McLean Events, to learn more about what happens before the big day. Check out this list of all the wedding planner responsibilities that will make planning your own wedding easy.
What is the role of a wedding planner?
On your wedding day, a wedding planner or event planner does more than keep the show running smoothly. The following is a list of tasks that fall under the topic of full-service planning.
Create design elements
When people hear the words “wedding planner,” they often think of coordination and logistics. However, most full-service wedding planners also provide design services to assist couples in choosing colour palettes, creating floor plans, selecting decor, rentals, and lighting, and curating an overall feel and vibe that continues throughout the day. If your wedding planner does not provide these services, they can easily refer you to an event stylist who does.
Start family mediation
Weddings can bring out familial relationships, which can lead to heightened emotions. It’s the responsibility of the wedding planner to focus on finding compromises and having the necessary conversations. Usually, all that is required is a simple clarification so that everyone is on the same page.
Wedding finance management
A wedding planner may not only assist you in developing and managing your wedding budget by providing pricing and estimates, but they can also keep track of when your deposits and other payments are due, ensuring that no deadlines are missed.
Fashion expertise
Need a second opinion on what your bridesmaids, groomsmen, family members, and other wedding party members should wear? Leave it to your wedding planner to offer their professional opinion. In addition, if you want unbiased advice when shopping for your wedding gown, suit, tuxedo, or accessories, your planner can help.
Organising your wedding meetings
A good wedding planner is always super prepared, so most likely they will book meetings with your potential vendors way in advance of your big day to make sure that everything is organised in time.
Wedding website
We want to think that creating your wedding website is simple, but your planner can assist with all of the heavy lifting and editing to ensure that it looks and feels exactly right (not to mention highlighting all of the important information for your guests, such as details on transport and accommodation).
Sending out the wedding invitations
Don’t feel like trying to get your loved ones to help with stamping and sending out the wedding invitations? Your wedding planner has the job of organising all those smaller details so that you can enjoy being engaged.
Keeping track of your RSVPs
A wedding planner can help to take away that all too well-known stress of organising RSVPs from potential guests.
Checking out potential wedding vendors
You can’t have a wedding without any vendors. So, your planner will help you to seek out the best quality and most appropriate vendors to sort your flowers, food and photos. The planner will be able to vet these vendors to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of on your important day!
Guest experiences
It’s all about the experience when it comes to the wedding weekend, and your wedding planner will make sure that it is memorable for everyone. While you relax and enjoy the memories, they’ll take care of the logistics like travel, hotel room blocks, day-of transportation, and welcome favours.
Etiquette advice
If you don’t know how to handle “plus one” invites, or how to organise stationery and seating plans, your wedding planner will help to make sure everything is in order in the right way for your guests.
Sound checks
We have all attended events where there have been some technical difficulties, particularly with sound quality. However, your wedding planner would make sure everything was properly checked and tested beforehand.
Styling in wedding photos
Your wedding planner will make sure that the bridal look is perfect on the day. There is no need to worry about having hair out of place; they will be there every step of the way! They will work closely with the photographer and videographer to make sure everything runs smoothly and is done with the correct timing.
Make sure that no special moment is missed
No key moment can be missed by any guest on your big day, and the wedding planner will make sure that this doesn’t happen! All the way from speeches to the cutting of the cake, they will make sure everyone is present.
Management of disorderly guests
Everyone knows there is the risk of having rowdy guests who have had too much to drink at a wedding. Your wedding planner would be there to make sure no spotlight is taken away by these guests, but in a calm and collected way, so that no scene is caused!
Organise your glorious exit
Wedding exits often mean a lot to a bride and groom, and it is the wedding planner’s job to work right until the last minute of the big day. Any personal belongings going away with the happy couple will be sorted by the wedding planner to make sure that everything they need is with them for whatever journey lies ahead after their wedding day.