Sam Sheehy I The Perfect Match Weddings I One of The Hawthornβs Preferred Event Planners.
A Guide to the Different Types of Wedding Planning Support
So youβve decided to hire a wedding planner. Smart move.
But hereβs something many couples donβt realize until they begin researching:
Many planners offer different levels of service – and choosing the right type of planning support matters just as much as choosing the right person.
Some couples want a creative partner involved from day one. Others simply want someone to step in during the final month and run the wedding day itself.
Hereβs a breakdown of the most common types of wedding planning support, what each one actually includes, and what couples can typically expect to invest throughout the New England market.
01
Full-Service Planning
This is the highest level of planning support.
A full-service planner becomes your creative and logistical partner from engagement to final send-off – managing everything from vendor sourcing and budget oversight to design direction and full event execution.
This is ideal for couples who:
- want a highly curated experience
- have demanding schedules
- are planning a layered or design-forward wedding
- want professional guidance through every stage of planning.
Typically Includes:
- venue selection assistance
- vendor sourcing and management
- budget oversight
- design and aesthetic direction and creation
- contract review
- production management
- full wedding weekend coordination
- complete timeline execution
Typical New England Investment:
$10,000 β $40,000 or about 15% of your wedding investment.
02
Partial Planning & 90-Day Coordination
The name can be slightly misleading – and the best planners will usually tell you that themselves.
While intensive coordination often begins around the 90 day mark, many experienced planners begin building the relationship much earlier:
- onboarding meetings
- vendor suggestions
- planning guidance
- budget conversations
- venue flow recommendations
- helping couples avoid mistakes before they happen.
Once the final planning phase begins, your planner fully steps in – managing vendor communication, building the master timeline, confirming logistics, and overseeing every moving part through the wedding day itself.
Typically Includes:
- Early planning guidance
- vendor recommendations
- timeline development
- final logistics management
- Floor plan design
- vendor confirmations and contract review
- rehearsal coordination
- full wedding day execution
Typical New England Investment:
$4,000 β $10,000
03
30-Day Coordination
This is often the best fit for organized couples who genuinely enjoy planning but donβt want to manage the final sprint alone.
A 30-day coordinator steps in during the final month to:
- organize logistics
- finalize timelines
- confirm vendors and schedules
- Oversee all details and flow
- execute the wedding day itself.
This allows couples to hand over the operational side of the wedding before the pressure becomes overwhelming.
Typical New England Investment:
$2,500 β $6,000
04
Day-Of Coordination
Despite the name, day-of coordinators are rarely involved for only one day.
Most begin working with couples in the final weeks leading into the wedding to understand the timeline, vendor team, and overall flow of the event.
This option is best for couples who:
- planned everything independently
- feel confident in their vendor team
- and simply need a professional to execute the day itself.
Typically Includes:
- timeline management
- vendor direction
- ceremony coordination
- problem solving
- overall wedding day execution
Typical New England Investment:
$2,000 β $3,500+
05
Wedding Planner vs. Wedding Coordinator
Whatβs the Difference?
Many couples use the terms wedding planner and wedding coordinator interchangeably β but they often involve very different levels of support.
Generally:
- planners are involved in the strategic and creative planning process
- coordinators focus more heavily on logistics and execution.
The right fit depends entirely on:
- your planning style
- budget
- schedule
- comfort level
- and how much support you want throughout the process.
What the Best Planners Actually Are
The best wedding planners arenβt just coordinators.
Theyβre part creative director, part production manager, part logistics engine, and honestly, part emotional support system during one of the biggest seasons of your life.Β At a venue like The Hawthorn, where weddings are immersive, design-forward, and experience-driven, a strong planner becomes even more valuable.
- Atmospheric lighting.
- Immersive food stations.
- Cocktail experiences.
- Lounge design.
- Entertainment timing.
- Guest flow.
- Late-night transitions.
A planner helps transform all of those individual elements into one cohesive experience instead of a collection of separate vendors operating independently.Β And itβs why couples who hire great planners almost always say the same thing afterward:
βI canβt imagine doing that without them.β
At The Hawthorn, we work closely with planners at every level to ensure every celebration unfolds seamlessly β because exceptional weddings donβt happen accidentally. They happen intentionally.
Still wondering if a wedding planner is worth it?
We have some strong opinions on that one. Read our latest blog post to discover why hiring the right wedding planner may be the single most important investment you make in your wedding day.
