You said yes, and now suddenly everyone’s asking about dates, venues, and “what’s the color palette?” Before you’ve even had a chance to pop a second bottle of champagne, you’re googling what does a wedding planner do, and wondering if it’s really worth it.
To be honest with you, wedding planning is a full-time job. Between sourcing vendors, managing timelines, reviewing contracts, and designing a cohesive guest experience, it takes serious strategy to pull off a seamless day. Doing it all yourself isn’t just overwhelming, it can take the joy out of the experience.
That’s where we come in! We’re Lace and Bow Bridal, a full-service planning and design studio based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this post, we’re walking you through what a wedding planner actually does, month by month, from your very first brainstorm to your final farewell. Whether you’re leaning toward full-service support or still deciding what level of help you need, this guide will help you plan with clarity and confidence. Learn more about our planning services, browse our portfolio, or contact us to get started!
Photo Credit: Maura Jane Photography
Full-Service Planning vs. Partial Packages
If you’re searching what does a wedding planner do, you’ve probably already seen a dozen different terms such as full-service, partial planning, and wedding day coordination. Before we dive into the month-by-month breakdown, let’s talk about what those different types of services actually mean for your planning process.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Full-Service Planning
This is the VIP experience. Your planner is with you from day one to help with sourcing vendors, managing your budget, building timelines, designing your wedding look, and handling every logistical detail. It’s perfect for busy professionals, design-focused couples, or anyone planning from out of state. - Partial Planning
You handle some things, and your planner handles others. Usually, this includes support with vendor recommendations, timelines, and key decisions, but not full-scale design or management of every detail. - Day Of Coordination
Despite the name, it doesn’t just start on the wedding day. This package typically kicks in about 4–6 weeks before your wedding. Your coordinator finalizes timelines, confirms logistics, and manages everything on the day of, so you can fully enjoy it.
Still wondering which type of planning support is right for you? Our post on Wedding Day Coordinator vs. Full-Service Planner breaks it all down, so you can confidently choose the fit that works best for your celebration.
Months 12–9: Vision & Venue Kickoff
Now that you’ve had some time to celebrate your engagement, it’s time to make some big decisions. These first three months are all about setting the foundation. If you’re wondering what does a wedding planner do with so much time before the big day, this is really where it all begins.
This phase is about alignment. Working with a planner early helps you get clear on what your wedding will look like, how it will feel, and where it all will happen.
At this stage, your wedding planner does much more than suggest pretty venues. We guide your priorities, shape the guest experience, and connect you with vendors who match your style, values, and budget.
What’s happening during this phase:
- Identifying your overall vision, priorities, and style
- Recommending venues that align with your guest count, aesthetic, and logistics
- Touring venues and comparing packages, amenities, and contract terms
- Creating a comprehensive budget breakdown and initial payment schedule
- Outlining a customized planning timeline
- Reviewing and negotiating vendor contracts with your best interests in mind
These months are all about momentum. Having a professional on your side means you’re not losing time to research rabbit holes or struggling to figure it out alone. You’re setting the stage for everything that follows.
Not sure if full-service planning is the right fit? Read our post that breaks down if full-service planning is right for you and why so many couples say it’s the best decision they made.
Photo Credit: Maura Jane Photography
Months 9–6: Vendor Booking & Design
With your venue locked in and your vision mapped out, it’s time to bring your wedding to life, starting with the creative partners who will help make it happen. This is when your celebration begins to take shape in a tangible way, and if you’ve been wondering what does a wedding planner do during this stage, the answer is: a lot of behind-the-scenes magic.
Photographers, florists, and caterers often book a year in advance, especially for high-demand dates. Your planner keeps the process streamlined and ensures your vendor team is aligned with your vision, values, and logistics.
Key Planner Tasks During This Phase:
- Booking major vendors: photographer, videographer, florist, caterer, music
- Coordinating vendor walkthroughs and design-focused site visits
- Building your custom mood board and color story
Drafting initial layout and ceremony flow concepts - Finalizing guest count estimates for rentals and catering
- Reviewing contracts and confirming vendor deliverables
- Managing deposits, timelines, and due dates
- Acting as the main point of contact for your vendor team
With a planner handling the logistics, you get to enjoy the fun parts like tastings, style inspo, and dreaming big.
Still debating whether to plan solo or bring in a pro? Our guide on hiring a wedding planner vs. going DIY breaks down the real differences.
Photo Credit: Maura Jane Photography
Months 6–3: Planning Touchpoints
Now that the big decisions are made, it’s time to dive into the heart of the planning process. This stretch is where we start refining every layer of the day. As your planner, we’re finalizing your design elements, checking in with vendors, and keeping everything moving behind the scenes.
This part of the planning process can be deceptively busy. You’re not booking as many new vendors, but you’re making dozens of small decisions that shape the entire experience.
What Your Planner Manages During This Phase:
- Finalizing your color palette, florals, and tablescape details
- Sourcing specialty rentals and custom design pieces
- Meeting with vendors to confirm timelines and updated scopes
- Designing stationery (save-the-dates, invitations, signage)
- Tracking RSVPs and meal choices
- Starting your ceremony structure
- Coordinating hotel blocks and transportation logistics
- Building out your wedding weekend itinerary
This is where working with a planner truly shines. If you’re still wondering what does a wedding planner do beyond booking vendors, it’s this: we connect the dots, protect your bandwidth, and keep every moving piece aligned with your vision.
Need help understanding what to prioritize when? Our Full-Service Wedding Planning Guide to Santa Fe Weddings breaks down every step, so you always know what’s next.
Months 3–1: Finmailing wedding invitationswhat does a al Details & Coordination
This is the home stretch before your wedding month, and it’s all about dialing things in. At this point, your design is nearly finalized, most vendors are secured, and now it’s time to bring everything together into one cohesive experience.
During this time, your wedding planner steps fully into the role of logistics lead by checking timelines, confirming deliveries, and making sure every decision so far is set in motion.
What’s Happening During This Phase:
- Confirming vendor contracts, arrival times, and logistics
- Creating your master wedding timeline and floor plan
- Reviewing catering and bar details (final headcounts, dietary needs)
- Collecting ceremony details and finalizing music selections
- Organizing family photo shot lists with your photographer
- Finalizing guest accommodations, shuttles, and room drops
- Coordinating your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner timeline
- Troubleshooting any last-minute changes with grace and clarity
With a planner leading the charge, nothing gets overlooked and you’re free to enjoy the anticipation without the pressure.
Photo Credit: Maura Jane Photography
Wedding Month: Execution, Support & Smooth Flow
You’ve made the decisions, finalized the design, and built your dream vendor team! Now it’s time to let it all unfold. The month of your wedding is about stepping back and letting your planner handle the behind-the-scenes details. We’re managing moving parts, double-confirming logistics, and making sure every detail aligns with your vision.
- Final Confirmations
We confirm all vendor arrival times, setup needs, and contact info so you’re not fielding last-minute texts or calls. - Wedding Week Walkthroughs
We walk through the venue with you (and/or your vendors) to finalize floor plans, rain plans, and flow of events. - Timeline Management
We share a detailed timeline with your vendor team and keep everyone on the same page from setup to send-off. - Personal Detail Management
From your vow books to family heirlooms, we manage and place all personal items exactly where they belong. - Rehearsal Coordination
We lead your ceremony rehearsal, making sure everyone feels confident and clear before the big day. - Day-of Execution
We’re the first to arrive and the last to leave. We direct vendors, solve problems quietly, and keep everything running smoothly so you don’t have to lift a finger.
During the last weeks leading up to your wedding, you should be soaking in every moment, not checking the clock or answering questions.
Photo Credit: Maura Jane Photography
Your Wedding, Handled with Intention
Planning a wedding is about so much more than picking pretty flowers and booking a DJ. It’s about creating an experience that feels true to you, while juggling a hundred moving parts behind the scenes. From the first venue tour to the final dance, a professional planner brings clarity, strategy, and peace of mind to every step.
At Lace and Bow Bridal, we believe your engagement should feel joyful, not like a second job. Whether you’re dreaming of a modern desert celebration or a timeless garden ceremony, we’ll help you plan with purpose and design with heart.
Want to know what it feels like to have full-service support from a team who gets it? Learn more about our planning services, take a look at our portfolio, or contact us to get started!