There's no hard and fast rule when it comes to deciding whether to hire a wedding planner, designer, or wedding coordinator. However, some couples choose to use a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator. This allows them to get the best of both worlds: a seasoned professional who knows how to manage the logistics of a large-scale event while still allowing them to take charge of their special day. Most couples would agree that there's no way around it - it takes a lot of time and effort. There are many aspects of planning a wedding, including picking a venue, selecting a date, choosing a theme, finding a photographer, and more. Having a professional helper means that you'll have someone else to help plan your wedding. You won't have to worry about remembering every detail yourself because there will be plenty of people helping out. You also won't have to spend hours searching through websites trying to find the perfect vendor. Instead, you'll have one person who has done this countless times before. Now let’s discuss the wedding planner vs wedding designer vs wedding coordinator. 

Wedding Designer

A wedding designer creates the look and feels of your wedding day through their visual aesthetic. Designers may be able to help you with color palettes, floral arrangements, table settings, invitations, stationery, guest favors, etc., but they don't necessarily know how to execute any of these things. A wedding designer might work with a wedding planner to make sure the vision is executed properly. They might even offer additional design services such as photography or videography.

"Designers are great at creating an overall look for your wedding that will set it apart from other weddings in your social circle. They can also create a unique style that is not easily replicated by another vendor. It's important to find someone who has experience working with vendors like florists, photographers, caterers, musicians, and venues. You want someone who understands what each vendor does best so that everything comes together seamlessly on your big day."

Wedding Planner: 

A wedding planner is similar to a wedding coordinator except that he/she typically works with all of the vendors involved in your wedding. He/She coordinates the events leading up to your wedding and helps ensure that everything goes smoothly on your big day. Some planners are more hands-on than others, while some prefer to delegate tasks to others. The most common duties include: making sure the venue is ready for guests; coordinating rehearsal dinners; helping choose music for the ceremony and reception; coordinating transportation needs; assisting with catering orders; overseeing rentals.

How much do wedding planners charge?

The average cost of hiring a wedding planner varies depending on where you live, what type of wedding you're having, and whether you hire a full-service or DIY wedding planner. In general, the national average price for a wedding planner ranges between $2,000 - $3,500. However, prices vary widely depending on location, size of the wedding, the number of vendors hired, and if you hire a full service vs. DIY wedding planner.

Wedding Coordinator: 

A wedding coordinator is responsible for organizing all aspects of your wedding, including scheduling the services of various vendors, such as florists, caterers, DJs, etc., ensuring they provide quality work, and communicating with them about your specific needs. They also help coordinate rehearsal dinner locations, transportation, decorations, entertainment, and anything else that needs to happen before the wedding. Coordinating these details is crucial because there are many moving parts to a wedding, and if one thing doesn't go according to plan, it can throw off the entire event.

Hiring Help

You're not sure what kind of wedding planning services you want. You don't know where to start. You've never hired a wedding planner before. You're looking for someone to handle the details but you want to keep control over your big day. Hiring help might be right for you. A wedding planner will make sure everything runs smoothly from beginning to end by handling all the details behind the scenes. A planner will ensure that all the important elements of your wedding run smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying your time together. 

Happenings™ Management Team

Event Planner 

Your Event Planner is your first manager who will guide you through the Happenings™ plan creation and the securing of all your details. Your dedicated Event Planner has comprehensive knowledge and plenty of resources to assist you and provide you with all the information you need to create and reserve your Happenings™ plan.

Event Coordinator 

Your Event Coordinator is your second manager. You will be introduced to them once your Happenings™ plan is reserved. Your coordinator will assist you in assuring all the details for your Happening are in order.

Event Manager

Your event manager is responsible for overseeing your Happenings™ production. Approximately six weeks before your Happening, your event manager will begin confirming that your services team, location manager, all details, and scheduling are all in order and proceeding as planned.

Location Manager

Your Location Manager will be your in-person contact on the day of your Happening. Location Managers are knowledgeable on location, services, client relations, guest management, and all key production protocol. They will perform walk-throughs, run-throughs/rehearsals and are responsible for day-of client guest and team coordination.

Happenings™ Ever After

Wedding planning takes a lot of work. Most people give up on their dreams of an iconic wedding ceremony because it feels too overwhelming to plan. We’re here to help you create a memory of a lifetime through thoughtfully organized planning tailored to iconic locations throughout Central Park so you can step into your moment with the one that you love. 

"The most valuable and important thing we can deliver is an unforgettable memory." 

Easily plan your dream ceremony, and we’ll help you take care of the rest. 

Browse our venues and curated packages and find the one that speaks to you. 

Connect with your wedding team to start bringing your dream ceremony to life. 

Exchange your vows in front of those you care about most, and love every moment of it. 

BOOK YOUR CENTRAL PARK WEDDING CEREMONY TODAY

About Happenings™ 

Based in Manhattan, Happenings™ founder Tom Noel would often take a walk through Central Park. In 2008, during one of his walks, he stopped to sit at one of his favorite iconic locations in the Park, the Bethesda Fountain. It was there that Mr. Noel noticed that the intrinsic beauty that surrounded him was not being fully harnessed. He also realized that not a single business provided the exclusiveness of an affordable and high-quality event planner. Determined to change this, Happenings™ was born.