“Hi Esa, I need a planner, someone that can do really nice décor, I want lots of flowers, chandeliers and fireworks…”
Sweetheart, hold on a second. The truth is you are describing two different roles.
I’m very sure someone reading this can relate and in my few years in the event industry in Ghana. I find that a lot of people confuse the two roles, I’ll try and break it down today. Let’s start with a wedding planner.
Wedding Planner: The Logistics Guru
Now relax, take a moment, close your eyes, imagine your big day, [O wait, you can’t close your eyes and read at the same time, oops my bad. Try this exercise as you read], and tell me…
How do you want it to look on your special day? How dramatic should your entrance be? How should your guests be dressed? Who is welcoming your guests? and what kind of songs are being performed? Imagine your guests enjoying a plated service, having fun at the photo booth area with all the carefully selected and curated props, vibrant young men serving colourful cocktails, the DJ playing your favourite song every time you step on the dance floor, the food station displaying a beautiful arrangement of various, tasty meals, the details on the souvenirs you plan to give out to your guests… I could go on and on.
A wedding planner is responsible/in charge of all the logistical elements that bring your wedding vision to life and is involved from the very beginning of the planning process till all the final deliverables are submitted.
A wedding planner oversees the timeline management, vendor management, and solving problems and issues that might arise. He or she is interested in the overall experience of the event, their clients and the guests.
Wedding Designer, The Creative Visionary
An Event or Wedding designer, Stylist or Decorator however is in charge of the overall look and feel of the event. They are concerned with the visual aesthetics of the event.
“What colours resonate with you or your brand or your personality: is it bold and rich or soft and pastel? What theme are you considering: classic, modern, rustic, glam, boho, etc? Do you desire a fabulous party or an elegant sit-down dinner? Would you want to enjoy the breeze, smell the freshly mowed lawn, sway your way through the halls or dance in the woods? Are all the branding elements and graphics in sync from the invite, to the welcome sign, to the program, the menu and the backdrop?”
There are lots of decisions and that is where the interest of the event stylist lies. They can weave a strand of style throughout your celebration, from the most personal and minutest detail to the overall look and feel. They set the mood for the event.
Who do you need?
Some couples might benefit from having both a wedding planner and a wedding designer. If your wedding is large or particularly complex, having both professionals can ensure every aspect is perfect. While a planner focuses on logistics, the designer can fully immerse themselves in the creative elements, working together to deliver a seamless and beautiful wedding. While a planner may be a designer, a designer may not be a planner.
Whether you choose a wedding planner, a wedding designer, or both, the key is to find professionals who understand your vision and can execute it flawlessly. By knowing the differences between these roles, you can make an informed decision that ensures your wedding day is everything you’ve imagined and more.
I hope you enjoyed reading and you learnt something today. I’m counting how many times I used “Overall”. Hahahaha, not many. I guess that means I could use it in my next post.
If you need assistance with planning your wedding, feel free to reach out. I’m here to support you in creating a memorable and meaningful wedding day.
See you soon.
Your planning Chic, Esa
The Eventive Xperience
www.theeventivexperience.com