Do I need a wedding planner or a coordinator? 

Let’s first explain the difference between an event planner and a wedding coordinator. 

The main difference is that a planner works for YOU, creating a full detailed timeline for your day or weekend. A wedding planner becomes your confidant, helps design, acts as decision maker, and the go-to for all your wedding suppliers. A planner will take on the majority of admin to include (but certainly not limited to) sourcing suppliers, checking their availability, pricing and terms, using their extensive experience and reputable industry contacts, they will manage timings to ensure the day flows like a dream, and that the overall look and vision is cohesive throughout, whilst working to your budget and making the day unique to you. Often the biggest concern over hiring a planner is that you lose control; please rest assured that it fully remains your day, with any final decisions remaining with you.

A venue coordinator is employed by the venue. They may give you template timings, assist with suppliers arrival onsite, but their main role is to ensure the venue is taken care of and things run well for them.

Eve Dunlop Photography

A luxury wedding planner is an investment, but gives you the gift of time. With an average wedding topping over 300 hours of planning, a great wedding planner will allow the couple to have just one main point of contact rather than managing multiple individual suppliers (often between 20-30!). Our full wedding planning service means we manage every element; from guest lists, dietary requirements, accommodation bookings, wedding websites, timings, and even gift lists. We typically work with busy professionals that have an equally full social life and they simply don’t have the hours to spare planning a wedding. 

A coordinator often included as part of a venue package but there is a HUGE difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator or planner; they are working for the venue to ensure your plans are carried out correctly and on time, typically departing after the first dance.  This often includes making sure furniture is set out, managing suppliers arrival onsite, and if having a ceremony at the venue they will look after this element for you. They are often only involved on the day itself, with just one meeting a few weeks prior to go through the final details. They may also suggest recommended suppliers they have worked with previously, but will not get involved in sourcing them. They have not been employed by you directly and therefore they will only carry out a role required by them.

Mark Horton Photography

As your wedding planner will have spent months getting to know, you will not be left high and dry on the big day; our team promises to be there from first thing in the morning until the last guests depart, allowing you to enjoy all the celebrations the the fullest. We even pop back the next day to clear down and ensure any hire items are ready to be returned. With years of experience we know that the day is not over after the first dance, far from it – if accidents happen, or taxis not booked it will likely be late in the evening and we want to be there to make sure you don’t have to worry (and ideally never know!).

If you are having a marquee wedding or party it’s unlikely a coordinator will be included. We love planning marquee weddings and enjoy the flexibility they offer, but essentially you are building a venue from scratch and this often takes several days to build and set up. We will be there from the start of the build to make sure everything is perfect. There are many additional elements to consider, so a wedding planner is a must-have for this type of celebration; whether that be full planning, partial service or on the day management. You do not want to be the point of contact if the sinks in the loos stop working or the generator needs to be switched over.

Eve Dunlop Photography

The best kept secret….a wedding planner can save you money in the long run! 

With experience in knowing what suppliers charge, where money can be saved based on your priorities, and often benefiting from trade rates for hire, they can help your budget go further. Planners all work in different ways, but here at Salt and Scent we always pass these benefits directly onto our clients. For this reason, the earlier you instruct a planner the more value you get.

We also keep couples on track (!). There is the temptation to panic buy additional items in the final lead up; but we can help rein you in making sure you only spend on items that will be beneficial to your day. 

Rob Tarren Photography

Do you enjoy being creative, and have plenty of ideas and just hoping for support in bringing them together? Or perhaps you are feeling completely overwhelmed, struggling to know where to begin and would benefit from help throughout the entire process. Whatever your needs we would love to help. 

Head to our contact page to download details of our services or give Rachel a call to chat through your requirements. We pride ourselves on flexibility and are happy to build the level of support that is right for you. 

We hope to hear from you soon.

Loads of love,

Rach x