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What Does a Wedding Planner Do?

Writer's picture: Keilah StallsmithKeilah Stallsmith


A wedding planner and her team set up.
Photos by Suvada Kuburas Photography

Weddings are a blend of creativity, logistics, and seamless coordination. When done right, the magic unfolds effortlessly, leaving you immersed in the experience without noticing the behind-the-scenes work that made it all happen.


Enter the wedding planner: the expert guiding couples through the intricate planning process. As behind-the-scenes problem solvers, visionaries, and coordinators, we bring custom experiences to life with a perfect mix of creativity and organization.

Every planner brings their own unique touch, with a range of services tailored to different budgets, locations, and cultures. However, there are key responsibilities every Full Service Wedding Planner shares.


From managing the planning process and coordinating your creative team to ensuring a smooth event day, here's a closer look at what we do:





Guide Couples Through the Wedding Industry


A couple touches hands with an engagement ring framed by flowers and draping.


A wedding planner streamlines the entire planning process into clear to-dos and timelines. From the start, you'll receive expert advice, proven best practices, and grounded ideas. Once your planner understands your vision, we'll narrow down your options, offering the best choices to eliminate decision fatigue. With a professional guiding you, you'll experience the journey with clarity, peace, and confidence, knowing your best interests are always protected.


If you're a list lover, here’s a quick breakdown:


  • Budget management

  • Custom planning timeline

  • Phase-based planning

  • Shared planning folder

  • Venue tours

  • Monthly planning sheets with to-dos

  • Planning guides and best practices

  • Unlimited contact, guidance, and advice



Facilitate Relationships with Local Creatives



A baker (Ami's Cakes) places final touches on a wedding dessert table

The wedding industry is made up of many small businesses, each with its own needs, timelines, and best practices. A wedding planner brings the big picture together, ensuring vendors have what they need to do their best work and simplifying the process for couples.


Recommending incredible vendors is the first step in helping you build relationships with local creatives you’ll love. We recommend trusted professionals, then set the stage for smooth collaboration by gathering quotes, reviewing contracts, and supporting both parties throughout. We handle meetings, ensure communication stays on track, and keep all details up to date—like sharing the final guest count with your caterer or giving your florist the dimensions of your ceremony arch. We’re here as an extra point of contact, attending meetings on your behalf, responding to emails, and advocating for you on the big day.


Here’s a quick breakdown:


  • Custom vendor recommendations

  • Communicating with vendors (meetings, emails, virtual chats)

  • Gathering and organizing vendor communication (quotes, contracts, service guides)

  • Contract review

  • Coordinating details (timeline, shot list, load-ins, dimensions)

  • Attending meetings on your behalf

  • Developing quotes and service terms



Provide Hospitality and an Elevated Experience


A bride with pink hair smiles in front of a romantic ceremony backdrop

Weddings are about more than just spreadsheets and logistics—they’re about connection.


A wedding planner helps to create the space for that connection, handling everything from floor plans and tablescape design to communication plans and hotel blocks. We ensure the flow of your day feels seamless and personable, offering peace of mind to couples who prioritize the guest experience. Whether through an immersive design or a detailed wedding website, it's the little touches that make a big difference. My goal is to help you feel like a super host, enjoy your wedding as a guest, and amplify the joy you’re sharing.


Here’s a quick list of how wedding planners make that happen:


  • Invitation and signage style, wording, and ordering

  • Wedding website creation

  • Hotel block coordination

  • Custom mood board and color palette

  • Full design with 2D renderings

  • Floor plans

  • Rental/decor planning, ordering, and coordination

  • Menu development


Coordinate Your Celebration


A wedding ring and celestial earrings are framed by cream flowers on a pink backdrop

On your wedding day, a planner pulls everything together behind the scenes to ensure a seamless experience. We work with your vendors, oversee production, keep your timeline, and coordinate special elements- all so you and your loved ones can relax and experience it all.


Coordinating the wedding day varies depending on the specifics of each celebration, but generally, we're handling the details so you can get lost in the moment.


Wedding planners love lists:


  • Ceremony rehearsal

  • Coordinating with your creative team

  • Managing the timeline

  • Production oversight and on-site styling

  • Fully stocked emergency kit

  • Managing inventory (marriage license, tips, gifts)

  • Coordinating special moments (first looks, lighting candles, accepting deliveries)


While many people associate planners with parties and gatherings—like the organized friend or family member—hiring a professional can bring a new level of relief, excitement, and clarity. Your perspective on hiring a wedding planner depends on your expectations and the planner you choose to work with.


At the heart of the question "What does a wedding planner do?" is the desire to understand the value we bring to the table. You’re navigating a whirlwind of decisions, emotions, and significant investments, and the right planner can help make it all easier.

Remember, each planner has their own style. My approach is unique to me, and other planners will have their own magical ways of making your day flawless. But in the end, we all aim for the same goal: a beautiful, personally meaningful, well-managed event.



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