(And Which One Do You Actually Need for Your Destination Wedding in Provence?)

Wedding planner vs coordinator: two roles, one big day. And yet, so many questions, misunderstandings, and wasted time. Whether you’re dreaming of a precious and timeless château wedding or an intimate barefoot ceremony under olive trees, knowing who does what will make all the difference. Here’s, from Wed’Love, a clear look at the functions and differences between these two wedding professionnals, and above all, how to choose who is the best for your celebration in Provence.

Summary : 

• A Wedding Planner Designs the Whole Journey
• A Coordinator Manages the Final Details
• Wedding Planner vs Coordinator: Which One Do You Need for Your Wedding?
• Wed’Love, More Than a Planner, More Than a Coordinator

A Wedding Planner Designs the Whole Journey

(From the first idea to the last candle.)

I Build your Vision, Not Just Your Wedding Timeline

From our very first conversation, first words, first emotions, I’m not merely organizing logistics, I’m curating an experience that feels uniquely yours and which you will remember for the rest of your life. Using my deep-rooted local knowledge and refined aesthetic sensibility, I guide you through every creative choice.

• Crafting ambiance and emotional tone: together, we explore how you want your wedding to feel; from the flow of the day to how your guests connect emotionally with each moment.
• Cohesive creative direction: whether you envision a three-day Provençal fête or an intimate château gathering, I ensure every detail from tablescapes to floral accents, aligns with your style, your expectations and the location’s essence.
• Envisioning beyond logistics: before I present a timeline, I immerse myself in your story, your values, your desires. Your wedding isn’t just a beautiful day, it’s a sensory journey, the only one you should always keep in mind, and I design around that. 

I Curate Your Dream Wedding Team

From initial prospecting to the final selection, I help you gather a team of trusted experts. Handpicked not only for their talent and professionalism, but because I know they naturally align with your story. It is not just a matter of filling jobs, but also, and above all, of creating the most beautiful harmony.

The ideal venue that meets your expectations, the florist who can express themselves through colors and scents, the caterer who combines your shared tastes on a plate, the photographer who sees the angle, the detail, the atmosphere that others don’t see… Every recommendation I make is thoughtful, intentional, and based on what matters to you. It is done solely for your satisfaction and the success of your wedding.

I make the introductions, you build the relationships with wedding professionals who are the perfect fit for you. And because I know each of them personally, I can guarantee more than quality. I offer you peace of mind.

I Am Your Strategic Partner

Luxury does not mean the absence of spontaneity or the unexpected, but rather the perfection of an organization capable of imagining and anticipating them.

From budget tracking to guest lists, reverse planning, and personalized seating plans, I don’t just provide you with effective tools, I create a comprehensive system tailored to your ceremony, your needs, and your goals. Each step is clearly defined and then adjusted as your vision evolves. Together, we make thoughtful decisions, without stress or compromise. When we start early, everything becomes possible.

Also, you don’t manage a list of daunting tasks. You follow a plan that suits you and receive support at every step. Being organized means gaining lightheartedness and freedom — not rigidity.

I Am With You From Day One

Most couples who contact me do so 12 to 18 months before their desired wedding date. This precaution makes all the difference.

Starting to plan your ceremony as early as possible means that we don’t just set a date and send out “Save the Date” cards. We take the time to build a relationship, step by step, idea by idea, giving us the space we need to dream, to change course if necessary, and to refine what really matters to you.

From our very first conversation to the moment you blow out the last candle at your wedding reception, I am there, by your side. Not only to organize, but also to share the vision for your wedding.

I Hold Space for the Emotional Journey

Planning your wedding is a real chapter of your life. Maybe the most intense, intimate… and full of anticipation. And behind every decision, there’s a feeling: the excitement of choosing a venue, the overwhelm of endless options, the nerves before sending the invites, the joy when things start to take shape.

As your private wedding planner, I’m here to walk beside you. To listen when you hesitate, to celebrate the little victories, to gently bring you back to what matters most when stress takes over. Over the months we spend together, we build something deeper than a timeline, we build trust. That trust is what allows you to fully let go on the big day. To be present. To feel everything. To live it, without thinking of what’s next.

💬 “Anaïs, you didn’t just organize our wedding, you understood and preserved the emotion we wanted to feel from the very beginning.” That’s the kind of memory I want to leave you with. Because beyond the flowers and the seating plan, what remains is how we felt when we got married, surrounded by attention, intention, and love.

Can a Wedding Planner Handle Everything for Your Big Day? Absolutely

What you see during your wedding ceremony is only a small part of the work involved. Behind the smoothness and elegance lie months of planning, coordination, and problem-solving before issues even arise.

So, you are therefore entitled to expect a skilled wedding planner to anticipate, refine, and constantly improve their processes. To create the conditions for magic to happen naturally, effortlessly, exactly as you had hoped. And none of this is left to chance. This is the result, among other things, of experience and careful planning.

A Coordinator Manages the Final Details

(But doesn’t build the story.)

He Steps In at the End

Most often, a wedding coordinator joins the planning process 4 to 8 weeks before the ceremony, once the vision is set, the venue is chosen, and the vendors are booked.

So, what is his role? To make sure everything unfolds according to plan. He gathers the key information, creates a day-of timeline, confirms logistics with vendors, and becomes the point of contact during setup and execution. It’s all about ensuring that what’s already been designed runs smoothly – but not about defining the design itself.

💬 “Think of a coordinator as the conductor of a symphony whose sheet music was written by someone else.”

He Confirms and Executes

The wedding coordinator double-checks vendor contracts, creates a final timeline, and ensures everyone knows where to be and when.

He Does Not Influence the Design

Once he steps in, the focus shifts to refining what’s already been built. A coordinator doesn’t reshape your vision (even if it needs it). He protects it. That means confirming every element already chosen: vendors, contracts, deliveries, and run sheets.

In the final stretch, he becomes the anchor for your event team. He coordinates who arrives when, where everything goes, and how the timeline unfolds. So that on the big day, everything runs without a hitch.

💬 “His job isn’t to reinvent the plan. It’s to keep it moving like clockwork.”

He Ensures a Smooth Day-Of Experience

After weeks of final prep, the coordinator takes the reins on the wedding day itself. Like a stage manager behind the curtain, he ensures that everything happens when and how it should, with no distractions reaching you.

From vendor arrivals to the ceremony start time, from the placement of your escort cards to the cake cutting, he manages the sequence, the rhythm, and the little surprises that make the day feel effortless.

He May Be Included by the Venue

By the way, did you know that some venues include a wedding coordinator in their package? They are a valuable asset, but their scope of work is often limited. For you, dear future newlyweds and happy fiancés, it is essential to understand what they actually do and how their role differs from that of an independent wedding planner.

In general, venue coordinators focus on matters directly related to the venue: logistics, catering (if in-house), room layout, and timing related to their own team. They do not necessarily supervise your entire team of vendors, nor do they participate in bringing your design vision or personal touches to life beyond the venue itself.

Wedding Planner vs Coordinator: Which One Do You Need?

(Let your wedding vision answer that for you.)

You know, planning a wedding isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about creating a complete and unique experience that reflects who you are, what you love, how much you love each other, and how you want to feel.

Some couples arrive with a well-defined plan and are ready to orchestrate every detail. For them, a wedding coordinator can be the final piece of the puzzle: the person who ensures that the day goes off without a hitch, just as planned.

But, for most of my clients, especially those planning their wedding from abroad, what matters as much as the logistics is the emotional and creative journey. They want more than just a beautiful event. They want a celebration with soul. A cohesive and intentional experience where every detail, every gesture, every transition is carefully thought out and guided.

This is where a wedding planner becomes indispensable. Not because you can’t do it alone, but because you shouldn’t have to do it alone. Because your time is precious, because you should devote it entirely to loving each other, because your energy deserves to be preserved, and because your story deserves all the elegance of the experience. If it’s a unique and immersive experience you’re looking for, then you already have your answer.

💬 “Wedding planner vs coordinator isn’t about delegating. It’s about allowing yourself to be fully present in joy, connection, love, and beauty.”

Wed’Love, More Than a Planner, More Than a Coordinator

(Planning and coordinating are only part of the magic.)

On your wedding day, you begin a new chapter in your life. A chapter filled with symbols, sensations, and memories in the making. Perhaps the longest of all the chapters you will share. That’s why, at Wed’Love, we don’t separate planning from design or coordination from presence. At Wed’Love, we offer you a fully integrated experience, where creative vision, emotional support, and precise logistics work in perfect harmony.

From the very first conversation, I become your mirror, your interpreter, your calm center. I accompany you, I understand you, I anticipate your needs, and I shape your story with the power of intention.

💬 “I never just coordinate your day. I reserve a space for it, I translate your emotions and I stay two steps ahead, so you can simply feel.” — Anaïs

✨ Ready to plan your wedding with heart, intention, and elegance, with me, in Provence or on the French Riviera?

Still Not Sure What You Need? Let’s Talk.

(Your first consultation is the beginning of clarity.)

At Wed’Love, we know that no two couples – and no two weddings – are ever the same. That’s why our very first exchange is never about selling a service. It’s about listening. Getting to know your story. Understanding what matters to you.

We’ll take the time to explore your wishes, your priorities, and where you are in your planning journey. And if you’re still wondering about the difference between a wedding planner and a coordinator, especially for a destination wedding in Provence, this conversation will help clarify exactly what kind of support you truly need. You’ll leave with a clear sense of what kind of support will make the difference, whether you need full planning, day-of coordination, or something uniquely tailored to you.

No pressure. Just the start of a connection built on trust and the shared desire to create something unforgettable for your wedding day.

✨ Let’s begin with intention — and let everything else unfold beautifully. Contact me now.

Frequently Asked Questions about who to hire to plan your wedding

• What is the difference between a wedding planner and a coordinator?  

A wedding planner joins you from day one, shaping your vision, refining the design, and assembling your dream team. A coordinator steps in near the end to make sure everything already in place runs smoothly.

• Do I need both a wedding planner and a coordinator for a destination wedding? 

If you’re planning a wedding abroad (like in the South of France), choose a full-service wedding planner. They typically include coordination in their offer, like we do at Wed’Love.

• Can my venue coordinator replace a wedding planner? 

Venue coordinators handle site-specific logistics, not the full emotional, aesthetic, or strategic scope a wedding planner covers. They complement but don’t replace a planner.

Photo credits:

Tom Sienna, Alexa Torti, Hermeline Boucher, Gioia Visuals