Most everyone knows that you can hire full-scale wedding planners to help you plan your wedding

If it’s not in your budget to hire a wedding planner, you may feel like your only other option is to DIY. But did you know that there’s another way you can work with a professional wedding planner for a fraction of the cost?

In this episode, we will talk about the different types of wedding planning available and help you decide which one might be best for you!

Option 1: Do it yourself

Regardless of whether or not it’s in the budget to hire a wedding planner, not everyone wants to.

Maybe you simply love planning events and are happy to do it yourself!

Whatever your situation, there are plenty of resources at your fingertips to help. With the right resources, it’s completely possible to plan the wedding of your dreams. You can even find help to DIY your wedding right here on our site!

Read our post with tips on how to DIY your wedding, or check out our sample wedding timeline here to get started.

If you’re looking for even more guidance, read to the bottom of this post for our favorite new resource!

Option 2: Full-Scale Wedding Planner

A full-scale wedding planner does it all! And they can specifically be hired to plan and coordinate your entire event!

Who is a full-scale wedding planner for?

Hiring a wedding planner is perfect if you:

When you hire a wedding planner, you can be as involved as you want. We have had clients say, “We’re very excited to be married. It’s important to us that our wedding looks beautiful and goes well, but we don’t want to do any of the planning or preparation. Mainly, we just want to be able to show up and enjoy our day!”

What does a full-scale wedding planner do?

A wedding planner is with you from day one, helping with every decision and detail.

For example, the venue.  If you look at venues on your own, you might find that after 3 or so, you end up settling because it is so time-consuming. 

A wedding planner knows all the venues. With a few details about your preferences (like if you want a view, or the ceremony to be outside but the reception inside, etc), then they can narrow it down and make your job of choosing a venue a hundred times easier!

With so many decisions to make, it is valuable to have someone in your corner saying, “here are 3 choices instead of 300”. 

A planner’s job is to serve you, as the couple, by helping you make the best planning decisions based on your wants, needs, and budget. And then by executing the day by making sure that all the details, guests, and vendors are in place and that everything moves along according to plan. Ensuring that your day is as stress-free as possible!

Option 3: Wedding Management Services

A wedding planner will most likely have different packages available. Often, one of the smaller, more affordable options is wedding management services.

What’s the difference between hiring a wedding planner and wedding management services?

With full-scale planning, your planner will guide you in the right direction from day one. A wedding manager will come in 6 weeks or so before the event to finalize the logistical pieces of your day.

Why could a wedding manager be the best choice for you?

As your wedding day draws closer, things start to get very real. You’ve been dreaming about this day for a long time, and suddenly, it’s here!  That realization can be stressful for any couple. A manager eases that stress by coming alongside and making sure that all the planning comes together for the wedding day. 

Wedding management packages can include things like:

• Attend final meetings with the vendors,

• Make sure invitations get sent out at the right time,

• Put together a timeline for the wedding day,

• Manage the venue operations on the day of your wedding. (Making sure people are where they need to be, doing final checks of the decorations, food, and music, as well as checking on all the other little details.)

• Or anything else that you may need help with during crunch time!

On the day of your wedding, a wedding manager can be invaluable. Even if you have done all the planning yourself, you will likely appreciate the support they provide.

We have had clients say: “I didn’t think I wanted a wedding planner, but now that it’s so close, I’m getting nervous!” A wedding manager can come in at that final hour to help you pull it all together. 

They can help you stay in your bubble of bliss so that you can fully enjoy all the special moments throughout your day without having to worry about anything else.

Option 4: Day of Coordinator

A Day Of Coordinator is often employed by the venue themselves.

Coordinating events like weddings is part of their day job. As helpful as they are, they are there to make sure that the venue meets its purpose. A coordinator turns the lights on and off, makes sure the AC is running, and sometimes runs the food.

A venue-supplied coordinator can be very helpful, but there are a couple of things to be aware of.

• It’s good to ask beforehand what their level of involvement will be so there are no surprises on your wedding day.

• Depending on the venue, the coordinator may have to attend other events going on at the same time. (Ex: a golf tournament)

Alternatively, you can hire a day of coordinator.

Many planners will have coordination packages available. They will often start a few weeks before the wedding so that the coordinator can get familiar with all the details.

Even couples with the most helpful families may find it helpful to hire a coordinator. There’s just something about having a person who’s in charge and can direct the event. After all, it’s hard to get 200 people to know exactly where to go and what to do!

Hiring a professional can make a huge difference in your experience. This is your day and you deserve to relax and enjoy it!

Option 5: Virtual Wedding Planning

Virtual planning is the perfect “middle-of-the-road” solution for couples who’d love the support of a professional planner in their corner AND still have room in the budget. It’s a sweet spot in-between DIY and hiring a full planner.

Who is Virtual Wedding Planning For?

Virtual planning may be for you if you are in a situation where you can’t really afford to hire a planner, but you have some questions and would like guidance in making some decisions and creating a timeline.

There are millions of questions that come up during the wedding planning process and with virtual planning sessions, you’re able to get 1:1 support with the details of your wedding, without having to pay for the expense of flying your planner out to run your event.

During our virtual planning services, we’ll evaluate all the wants and needs for your wedding and create a plan that’s specifically personalized for you!

Here’s how it works.

Our virtual planning packages include 1, 3, or 6 (45-minute) sessions and each pacakge also includes:

• A questionnaire that helps us learn your exact pain points and where we can help you best,
• Session recordings for you to refer back to,
• An action plan so you know what to do next,
• And email correspondence to walk you through every step.

By the time our sessions are done, you’ll go into your wedding day with complete confidence that everything will go smoothly. We’ll help guide you through any decisions and set you up for success! (Including 1:1 time with Dominic (Wedding DJ) for song selections and playlists!)

As an added bonus, when you book any of our virtual wedding planning services, you get a $50 credit to the Wedding Duo Shop! In the shop you will find something for everyone; from invitation templates to personalized champagne flutes, and even guest favors!

Click here to learn more about our virtual wedding planning and to book your sessions!

We can’t wait to meet you!

The Wedding Duo: A Wedding Planning Podcast