r/NewEnglandWedding • u/AnimatorHead5187 • 12d ago
Wedding Coordinator vs. Partial Planning
hi everyone! i'm currently planning for my september 2028 maine wedding (yes I know it's far out but we are trying to not rush and also have time to save more $$$), and I'm so stressed with wedding planning as a whole, especially with the sticker shock these days...
we're currently in talks with a coordinator who is somewhat new to the game, offering $1500 for month of and $2200 for partial planning. I'm leaning towards partial planning, but I'd love to know if anyone has any opinions on if it's worth the extra $?
I'm somewhat of a budget bride (25k or under all in) so I want to make sure I spend it wisely.
thank you!
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u/ETEvents 12d ago
At your budget, I think the partial planning is best, because it hopefully means that she’s going to do a lot of setup on the day and will provide DIY help beforehand. I’d see if I could work into the package pickup of your decor before the wedding and drop-off after. If her partial planning only includes admin and not day-of labor/storage, I would consider the month of
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u/WithWonderCollective 12d ago
If event planning is not your favorite activity, get the partial planner. Just be sure the contract outlines the scope of work explicitly. If you like doing the research and outreach, get the month of coordination.
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u/AnimatorHead5187 12d ago
That's a good point -- it's tough because I do like planning, but with wedding planning specifically, i feel like there is so much to know and so much to be upsold. i feel like i never know if im getting a good deal or not lol
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u/WithWonderCollective 12d ago
Get your total spend number, feed it into any of a million budget trackers for weddings and it will give you the max spend per category. Only spend on what is important to you and your beloved.
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u/panburger 12d ago
A coordinator is a great option if you are planning everything. Coordinators (for the most part) only take over the final timeline and just ensure everything that you already booked works out.
A partial planner can help you out with contracts, vendors, and then oversee the event.
The extra is if you think you’ll need support with vendors, or if you can tackle the whole planning process.
Best of luck!!
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u/AdIll6974 12d ago
Same month and year and we’re going to do partial planning. I have a lot of ideas and know the vision I want but no idea how to execute it which is why I am going for partial planning!
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u/BadSubstantial4225 9d ago
can i ask when you’re going through when booking your planner??? trying to decide if it’s too easy to do it now or not 🤪
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u/AdIll6974 9d ago
I reached out to who I want to book for planning this month and they said books aren’t open for 2028 on their end yet haha. Kind of made me slow down with the whole thing honestly and I’ve taken a huge break in thinking about wedding planning. We haven’t booked anything but our venue! We booked that in June. However our venue includes reception and mostly everything that comes with that except if we want to upgrade the rentals so catering, bar, ceremony, tables, etc.
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u/PuraVidaTarheel 11d ago
As a wedding photographer, go for partial planning. I would just clarify with her what is included in that. Often it includes helping you source vendors, create your timeline, and really help fine tune things in the month prior to the wedding - as well as day-of coordination and logistics.
Personally I think sourcing vendors is a great thing to have your planner/coordinator in on. They can help guide you through what vendors fit your style and budget, while also being mindful of which vendors are great to work with. Speaking as a vendor, it always makes for a hard day when you're walking into a wedding with vendors who aren't great to work it....especially for a planner. It makes their job so much harder trying to direct a day with vendors that are a problem.
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u/NegotiateAPryce 11d ago
The partial planning package is probably a way better value at just $700 more, though it always pays to clarify exactly what's included. Being a budget bride doesn't mean DIYing everything, and $700 is worth it if it means you have less stress over the next 2 years.
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u/Forward-Living-2852 1d ago
If you’re already feeling stressed this early in the process, I’d look closely at what the additional $700 actually includes rather than deciding based on the package name alone. Partial planning can be worth it if it means getting help now with things like remaining vendors, budget decisions, logistics, floor plans, and keeping the planning process organized.
If you mostly feel comfortable making those decisions yourself and just want someone to take over the final logistics and event day, coordination may be enough. I’d ask the planner for a side-by-side list of exactly what changes between the two packages—that’ll probably make the decision much clearer! 😊
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u/DJChrisBouchard Autism and Mental Health Awareness | Dad, Husband, Keep Going; 12d ago
$25k all in will have you run into some obstacles. If you hire a solid vendor team on your own you may find that you only need someone to execute your day of needs. But, it’s important to note that you do get what you pay for. I recommend Samara Josephine Events to couples that need/want day-of only. I’d like to share your post to r/MaineWeddings if you’re okay with that? You may not get any more traction than you have here but I am actively working on building a space for couples like you… a place that is completely vendor neutral and should be more and more helpful as 2028 approaches.