This post was originally written for and published by our friends at Petal's Edge Floral Design!
photo by Photography by Marirosa | flowers by Joy & Co
There are so many elements that go into a wedding and when a couple first begins to navigate the planning process, there will be a lot of new vocabulary terms and understanding of the roles different vendors will play in that process.
In our experience here at Sincerely Pete and Wanderlust Wedding Co, we find that couples are unsure of when to contact and book a wedding planner and of the role that planner will play in the process. Our answer to the “I’m not ready to book a planner because I don’t know what I’m doing” statement is always the same - now is the perfect time.
photo by Photography by Marirosa | flowers by Love Blooms
After an initial consultation, couples will have a much better idea of the role they want a planner to take on in regards to their specific event. There are basically two ends of the planning spectrum - coordination or wedding management and full-service planning.
When a couple books a planner for coordination or management, they probably want to plan their own wedding but might have a few questions along the way and need someone to execute their plans the day of their wedding. A coordinator will act more as a consultant. They help plan timelines, arrange final details with vendors and act as the point-of-contact organizing the day-of the wedding. Coordinators do not get involved in event design.
In this case, a couple likely has simpler event design ideas and will work directly with their florist to discuss colors or themes they have for their wedding. The florist will present ideas for centerpieces, personal flowers and ceremony arrangements and the couple will handle all other aspects of the wedding.
A full-service wedding planner will assist a couple with hiring vendors, negotiating contracts, managing a budget and event design as well as everything a coordinator will do. They work closely together on the vision a client has or needs help actualizing.
Sometimes a wedding planner does not also offer design, but most often, and at our companies, Sincerely Pete and Wanderlust Wedding Co, we do offer full-service design in conjunction with our planning services.
photo by Photography by Marirosa | flowers by Joy & Co
So how does this affect the way a florist is involved in the process?
In working with a florist, weddings planners:
Will likely not suggest the specific type flowers to be used. This is the florist’s expertise!
Will create a floor plan and ensure the design is carried out throughout the spaces.
Will request required items & florals for a mock design setup.
Will handle all the communication between the client and the florist to ensure consistency and to avoid confusion.
Will stay throughout the entire event, while the florist is usually only on-site for setup and teardown.
photo by Photography by Marirosa | flowers by Joy & Co
As a wedding designer, I ensure the entire wedding is cohesive, beautiful and personalized. From the time my clients book me, we work together to figure out what the atmosphere is they want to create, what items they value the most and unique ways to personalize their wedding day. A wedding planner such as myself, will create a design board and then collaborate, on the client’s behalf, with a florist to put together a proposal that reflects all these things. We’re able to also coordinate specialty items such as lighting, backdrops and draping and other rental equipment to make the most design impact.
We’re also able to coordinate elements of design that aren’t specifically decor or floral based such as invitations, welcome bags, programs, signage, escort cards, menu cards and table numbers as well as the cake design and food stations or presentation.
Additionally, a wedding planner will work directly with all the vendors for the wedding day to ensure the couple’s vision is carried out across the event including the photographer. This ensures the small and special details are captured in such a way that the whole and cohesive story will be told when a couple looks back on their wedding day.
Are you engaged and have questions about how to have a beautiful and meaningful wedding?!
We'd love to chat with you about our services and make that dream a reality!
About Sincerely Pete
Sincerely Pete is a full-service wedding planning and design company based in the Washington, D.C. area. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality & events industries, the team at Sincerely Pete are pro's at making sure timelines, budgets, and important details are all perfectly managed. Each Sincerely Pete groom or bride-to-be can relax knowing they have an educated and experienced team bringing their vision come to life.
We believe in a personal, curated & customized approach to each wedding couple h work wit, taking their values & personalities into account and keeping the relationship as the focus of the wedding. We plan Washington DC weddings, Virginia weddings, Maryland weddings and destination weddings all over the world.
