Full Wedding Planner vs. Day-Of Coordinator

At HK Services, one of our most unique offerings is our Party Specialty service. We chose this name because we don’t limit ourselves to one type of event—we’re here to help with just about any gathering, whether it’s a personal celebration or a professional occasion. While we don’t typically specialize in traditional birthday parties, we focus on intimate weddings, proposals, and similar meaningful events where attention to detail truly matters.

We’re excited to share that HK Services is now featured on The Knot and WeddingWire, expanding our reach to more couples looking for personalized, thoughtful planning support.

When it comes to weddings, we understand that every bride is different. Some brides come to us with a clear vision and want to take the lead, while others prefer to hand over the details and simply enjoy their special day without added stress.

To help brides-to-be make the right choice for their planning needs, we’ve created a helpful outline and pros & cons list comparing the two most common types of wedding planners: Full Wedding Planner vs. Day-Of Coordinator. We hope it provides some clarity and confidence as you plan your perfect day.

Full Wedding Planner:

• Involved from the very beginning (often 12+ months in advance)

• Helps with venue selection, vendor referrals, budget management, design/styling, timeline creation, contracts, and more

• Coordinates with vendors throughout the entire planning process

• Acts as your go-to person for all decisions, logistics, and problem-solving

• Typically best for couples who want comprehensive support or are planning a wedding from afar

Month-Of Wedding Planner (also called Day-Of Coordinator, though it's more than just one day):

• Steps in about 4–6 weeks before the wedding

• Reviews all your existing contracts and plans

• Creates a detailed timeline and floor plan

• Communicates with your vendors to confirm logistics

• Manages the wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception

• Ideal for couples who have done most of the planning themselves but want someone to manage the day-of details so they can relax and enjoy

In short, a full wedding planner helps you create the wedding, while a month-of planner helps you execute it smoothly!

🌟 Full Wedding Planner 

Pros: 

• Handles everything from start to finish 

• Helps define your vision, style, and budget 

• Provides vetted vendor recommendations 

• Saves you time and reduces stress throughout the entire planning process 

• Professional problem-solver for any hiccups 

• Keeps everything on track and organized 

• Ideal for destination weddings or busy couples 

Cons: 

• Higher cost due to extended involvement 

• Less control for couples who want to manage everything themselves 

• May not be necessary if you’ve already done most of the planning 

🗓️ Month-Of Wedding Planner (a.k.a. Day-Of Coordinator)

Pros: 

• More affordable than a full planner 

• Allows you to plan your wedding your way, but with professional help 

• Manages final vendor communications and day-of timeline 

• Handles logistics and troubleshooting on the wedding day 

• Great for organized couples who just want peace of mind for the big day 

Cons: 

• Doesn’t help with early planning or vendor selection 

• Less time to catch or fix potential planning gaps 

• May not offer design or budget guidance (HK DOES!)

Let HK know where we can help YOU on your very special day!!!