Event planners, event stylists and event managers – what’s the difference? Planning your wedding day is difficult enough without uncertainty thrown into the mix. And it can be difficult to tell the difference between these three different professions. The short answer is that a wedding planner is responsible for the entire wedding, wedding managers work with planners to coordinate everything on your big day, and a wedding stylist specialises in your wedding theme and décor. However, all three jobs have differences and similarities. They can all carry out successful events and make your hosting easier. How they achieve your goals is different.
Yarra Valley Wedding Photography by Rick Liston
Wedding Event Planners
Event planner is essentially an all-encompassing description. They are responsible for event design, décor, vendors, and ensuring everything goes to plan. Even planners are not only creative but realistic. They focus on creating a close relationship with you, to learn what you want from the day and build a wedding that is unforgettable.
Not only do they help you plan and design your wedding, but they can take the stress off you by focusing on layout, scheduling, and activities while ensuring you and your guests are happy. A wedding planner has one of the most important jobs in the event industry because of the incredible emotional weight attached to a wedding.
Because a wedding planner is responsible for the events leading up to the wedding, as well as the ceremony, reception, décor, wedding attire, and bridal parties, they have incredibly high expectations to live up to.
Event planners need to work within your budget and manage all the logistics of your wedding. As a result. This job takes years of experience. In fact, many event planners were originally event managers, working under another event planner.
An event planner oversees the entire event, helps scout locations, and ensures the wedding goes off without a hitch. They are also always on hand on the wedding day, to take the stress off you and your bridal party. A good event planner will also have a range of vendors and contacts available to ensure all your needs are met.
Wedding Event Stylists
While event planners need to be all-rounders, who are both creative and management focused, event stylists and event designers are almost entirely focused on the creative side of weddings. A great wedding stylist can design an event that is not only an unforgettable experience, but also stirs up the fond memories behind your wedding day.
Focused on the aesthetic, a wedding stylist or designer will meet with clients to go over their theme, colour story, interests, vibe and vision for the day. From this, they create a truly personalised experience. This can include creating or sourcing handmade props, backdrops, paper goods, flowers, rentals, photo booths, styling food, and more.
Further, a great stylist will pull together elements to create a cohesive look and impact. These are highly creative people who thrive on design and décor. They are also uniquely skilled in transforming a space.
Unless you get a wedding designer who is also a wedding planner, most stylists have little to do with planning, coordination or direction. Instead, they are actively focused on creating your aesthetic design and vision for the wedding.
Wedding Event Managers
Finally, event managers are less involved with décor and design, and more focused on scheduling and management. While they can be creative, most event manager roles dictate that they are in charge of vendor management.
Mostly, event managers work under an event planner. Once a planner has determined the vision for your wedding day, the manager or managers assist in making it a reality. Some events might need two or more coordinators, though smaller weddings likely only need one.
The event manager’s role is to serve the needs for all decision makers and to help ensure the day runs smoothly. Many event managers eventually move on to event planning positions.
Which to Choose – A Wedding Event Planner, Stylist or Manager?
These three jobs often overlap. Planners, stylists and managers can all suggest venues, handle rentals, and manage the budget. They often also work together, shoulder to shoulder. But there are also key differences.
Wedding stylists are often invaluable vendors that wedding planners turn to, rather than covering the role of both stylist and planner. A planner makes critical decisions regarding the when, what, who and how. A manager is responsible for ensuring all the details are executed, and all the vendors show up on time.
A designer and a stylist also work well together, creating a stunning event that flows effortlessly. A planner is more likely to be there and hands on during your wedding, while few stylists will be there on the big day.
However, all three of the professions focus on creating an unforgettable wedding day for you, your family and your friends.
Want to find the best stylist, planner or event manager for your day? Click here to view True Bride’s wedding directory today!
