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Writer's pictureHannah Marie

Officially Decoded: The Difference Between a Designer and a Planner


A bride and groom holding a bouquet in a field.

The Evolution of a “Wedding Planner”


A decade ago, "wedding planner" was a one-size-fits-all term. You planned weddings, end of story. But time tweaks everything, doesn't it? The simple "wedding planner" title has morphed and multiplied, like a beautiful butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. It's not so black and white anymore, my friends. Now we've got a cornucopia of roles huddled under this grand umbrella term. It's high time we shine the spotlight on these unsung heroes often tossed into the vast “wedding planning" bucket. Let’s pull back the curtain and reveal their true identities: designers, stylists, planners and coordinators – each playing their own unique part in choreographing your perfect day!


Despite popular belief, of the planner and the designer these are not interchangeable terms, even if some planners moonlight as designers and vice-versa (like our rockstar squad!). By understanding the difference and roles you'll be able to grasp what exactly you need when assembling your dream team and gain a new-found appreciation for all the blood, sweat, and (hopefully minimal) tears that pour into orchestrating your perfect day.


A PLANNER serves as the mastermind behind the scenes. They collaborate with various vendors to construct a timeline for the wedding day, managing all logistical aspects. They also work in tandem with a coordinator to ensure effective execution of the plan on the wedding day.


A DESIGNER is responsible for shaping the visual aspect of your wedding day. Every minute detail, from the color scheme to the texture of materials, from the structure of a ceremony setup to the ambiance of your tablescape, is deliberately designed by your designer. The roles of designing and styling are complementary; a designer depends on a stylist to physically manifest the design on the wedding day.


The Wedding Planner: Turning Dreams into Reality

Picture this: a wedding planner is like that friend who's got a knack for lists and loves ticking off boxes—meticulously. They're the brains and brawn that turn your wedding dreams into a seamless reality.

The Wedding Designer: Painting Your Love Story

Now, enter the wedding designer—think of them as the artiste who splashes color onto the canvas of your love story, crafting an atmosphere that whispers (or shouts) you.

Together, they're like peanut butter and jelly—different but oh-so-perfect together. And guess what? You've hit the jackpot because we're about to unravel the roles of wedding planners and designers, so buckle up for a ride through their magical realm!


A chair with flowers and candles in the middle of a field.

Decoding the Time Spent by Planners and Designers


Both designers and planners dedicate numerous hidden hours in preparation for your wedding day, despite their distinct roles. Typically, around 250 hours are spent on planning and coordination, with an additional 200 hours dedicated to design and styling. This sums up to an average of 450 hours for a single day, not factoring in rehearsal days or farewell brunches. This can seem daunting, which is why it's a full-time occupation and possibly why you might feel swamped trying to organize your own wedding alongside your regular job.


Keep in mind while appointing a wedding planner, that they may only offer planning services and may need to subcontract your design and styling requirements. Alternatively, you might find an all-inclusive planner (again, like us!) but remember when hiring a comprehensive planner and designer, you're employing one team to perform four roles, dedicating on average 450 hours for your big day. This is serious business. Bringing Visions Together: Showcasing Successful Planner-Designer Collaborations in Real Life.


A table with a glass of wine and flowers on it.

Hiring a Full Service Team Makes all the Difference


Sometimes you need more than just coordination; you need creation—enter full service teams. With professionals that wear both planner and designer hats (and pull them off with style), clients get an all-inclusive package:

  • No need to juggle multiple contacts because your full service team is your one-stop-shop for everything.

  • Imagine having someone who knows what peonies pair best with vintage lace while also knowing how to handle caterer capers—priceless!

  • Full service means full attention to both logistics and aesthetics—a harmonious blend where no detail is left unloved.


Despite frequent confusion between the two roles, we hope this breakdown clarifies how distinct the jobs of a planner and a designer truly are. There are a ton of planners who will delegate your design needs elsewhere, and the same goes for designers. But there are full service companies that offer planning and designing with a full suite of styling and coordinating. Essentially, it's a four-in-one job. That's precisely what we offer at Kingsley Coordination— instead of just a planner or a designer, we give you all these services bundled into one.


Kingsley Coordination is of the firm belief that on your wedding day, your bond and those cherished moments should reign supreme and you shouldn't have to worry about a damn thing. By enlisting Kingsley Coordination's wedding planning and design services, we will mobilize our in-house experts to ensure everything falls into place flawlessly.


By employing a comprehensive team from a single company, you can be confident that every aspect of your wedding day will be meticulously managed with clear communication between roles. Our expert team is well-versed in the intricate duties of a planner and designer, collaborating to devise a flawless plan for your wedding day, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Believe us, this move will significantly benefit your other vendors and could be one of the best choices you make for your wedding day. Let's discuss transforming those dreams into 'I do' reality.



Want to find the perfect planning and design package for your wedding? Click below to get at us!


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