Dear Preston,
My daughter’s getting married, and I’m excited for her, but I’m also feeling overwhelmed. When I got married (many years ago), my mom planned my entire wedding, and I’d like to help my daughter plan her wedding. But I don’t know where to start. Do we need both a planner and a designer?
Sincerely,
A Confused Mom
Dear Confused Mom,
Congratulations! Your daughter’s engagement is wonderful news. But, I understand your frustration. Even those of us in the wedding and event planning business sometimes find it difficult to say which vendors do what. Here’s my breakdown of the key components. I hope this helps!
Florists: I started as a florist. A florist does just that, flowers, and they’re capable of taking care of all your flower needs. Many florists will also be able to help you choose tablecloths, napkins and other tabletop accessories that should complement your floral centerpieces.
Caution: If you ask a florist to do more than this, such as help you plan seating, you should expect to pay an additional fee.
Planners: A planner can be extremely helpful, especially on the day of your daughter’s wedding. Having a planner should ensure that both you and your daughter enjoy a stress-free wedding day. Planners are also industry experts. A good planner will give you insight and ideas that you wouldn’t think of on your own. He or she can also help you control your budget, find a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses, select a venue, hire other vendors, create a schedule for the ceremony and reception, manage day-of duties, and many, many other tasks.
Caution: Make sure you choose a planner who understands your needs and is drama free.
Event Designers: I may have started out as a florist, but, over the years, I’ve become an event designer. If you and your daughter want someone to help design the wedding, including florals, draping, lighting, invitations, food display, decor, dance floor, and the list goes on and on… you should consider hiring an event designer.
Caution: There’s often a great deal of confusion between what is a designer’s job and what is a planner’s job. Don’t expect your designer to be your planner, and don’t ask your planner to be your designer. Planners plan, and designers design!
Also, keep in mind that, depending on where you live, some wedding and event firms may offer all of the above services in one package. And remember, ask for references. Just like in other industries, not all vendors are created equal.
Dear Readers, tell me, what do you do and how would you describe your strengths? Do you agree that a planner’s job should remain separate from that of a florist or designer? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Didi
July 12, 2011
I appreciate your explanation of the difference between a planner and a designer, but if this questioner intends to plan the wedding herself, she should begin by establishing a budget and selecting a venue.
lindsey
July 12, 2011
i plan and design, although the clients have a choice regarding which services they want. then they pay accordingly. do other people do this, too?
lindsey
July 12, 2011
didi, i disagree- they should research first, then determine a budget. how can you establish a budget when you don’t know what things cost?
Mary M
July 12, 2011
I also think your explanations of the differences were very helpful.
However, I think the place where mom needs to start with her daughter and future son-in-law is with the guest list. Once they know how many guests to expect or plan for, they can develop a budget around the real numbers of how many will probably attend. Then they can find the right size venue, get a great idea of costs for food/beverages, the number of tables/centerpieces, etc. I’ve seen brides and moms who want to include everyone they’ve known since entering kindergarten (a slight exaggeration, but not by much), and the budget gets blown out of control. All because they didn’t start with the guest list first.
Napkin Wizard
July 12, 2011
It’s always a good practice to seperate the responsibility. But if you are on a tight budget. It’s feasible to have the planner do both or all. As long the planner have good support of crews.
Pam Archer
July 12, 2011
I would love to print and give this to every bride, post on every forum, put in every wedding magazine, and on every wedding platform in the industry. 99.9% of people think that a planner and designer is the same thing. They also think that a designer is a “florist”. It drives me absolutely crazy!
My advice is for them to do research on what everything costs, interview vendors, then formulate a budget. Too often, they rush to hire a certain vendor, or purchase an expensive wedding gown, only to find out later that they can’t afford anything else they really wanted, because they spent too much in one area. They all suffer from sticker shock!
Julia Hewitt
July 12, 2011
I think that planners should plan and designers should design however, i do feel that they need to work closely together because many designers only take into consideration the esthetic while a good planner has to take into consideration how the room will flow and how people can maneuver throughout the event space. In addition, the planner should have his/her eye on the big picture and the overall energy and flow of the event. I think the planner and designer should work as a team and compliment each other.