Day of Wedding Coordinator vs Full-Service Planner (Which Do You Need)

If you’re newly engaged and wondering, “Do I need a planner from the start, or just someone to help on the wedding day?”—you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions we get from couples.

You’ve probably come across the phrase “day of wedding coordinator” while scrolling through Pinterest, searching online, or chatting with newlywed friends. It’s a term people know and use often—but here’s the thing: it’s a little misleading (more on that in a minute). We’re here to clear up the confusion and help you decide what kind of planning support actually fits your needs, your budget, and your real life.

As New Mexico wedding planners, we offer both wedding day coordination and full-service planning and design—and we love them both for different reasons. The key is knowing which one is right for you.

But first—want to learn more about our process? View our portfolio for real wedding inspiration or let’s chat about your vision today!

Photo Credit: David Jesse Photo

What Is a Day of Wedding Coordinator?

Let’s start with the term itself. Most professional planners don’t love the phrase “day of wedding coordinator” (and we include ourselves in that). Why? Because no one actually coordinates a wedding by just showing up the day of. There’s way too much at stake for that to work well.

What couples are really looking for—and what we actually offer—is wedding day coordination that begins about six weeks before your wedding. We like to call it month-of coordination, because it’s all about stepping in during that final stretch to bring everything together.

You’ve done the planning, now it’s time to pass the baton. We’ll take all those beautifully moving parts, create a clear, detailed timeline, and manage the entire day from start to finish—so you can relax and truly soak it all in.

Here’s What We Handle:

Creating a wedding day timeline that works for you and your vendors
Reaching out to vendors to confirm details and arrival times
Running your rehearsal (yes, we’ll wrangle the wedding party)
Coordinating setup, cues, transitions, and tear-down on the big day
Handling any hiccups that pop up behind the scenes (because there’s always something)

You get to stay present, enjoy your people, and soak up every part of the celebration—without having to answer questions, troubleshoot logistics, or check your watch every five minutes.

We like to say: You planned the wedding, now let us run the show.

(And yes, we do bring an emergency kit with everything from Advil to sewing supplies—just in case.)

Still in the vendor-booking stage? This Wedding Vendor Checklist breaks down what to book first and why it matters.

What Is Full-Service Planning & Design?

Full-service planning is completely different than what you’d get with a day of wedding coordinator experience. It’s not just about managing the wedding day—it’s about being with you through the entire journey.

Whether you’ve been dreaming of this moment since you were little or just started thinking about it after the proposal, full-service planning is ideal for couples who want support every step of the way. It’s perfect for anyone feeling short on time, overwhelmed by decisions, or simply wanting a wedding that looks and feels amazing—without doing all the heavy lifting.

As full-service planners, we’re your guides, sounding boards, creative partners, and behind-the-scenes pros. We’re there from the big-picture strategy to the smallest little details (like napkin folds and signature drink signs).

Here’s what we include:

Creating a custom planning timeline based on your wedding date
Helping you build and manage a budget that matches your priorities
Recommending and booking trusted, high-quality vendors
Developing your design concept and styling your day from start to finish
Attending vendor meetings and handling communication throughout the process
Managing your rehearsal and full wedding day execution

The best part? You don’t have to carry the mental load of planning by yourself. You’ve got a team that truly knows your vision and is invested in bringing it to life.

(And yes, we’ll help mediate opinions if your mom and future-in-law have wildly different décor ideas. Happens more often than you’d think.)

Planning a wedding in Northern New Mexico? Our Santa Fe Wedding Planning Guide is full of local insight to help you get started.

Photo Credit: Katherine Rose Co.

What’s the Real Difference?

So, what actually sets a day of wedding coordinator (AKA month of wedding coordinator) package apart from full-service planning?

It all comes down to how much involvement you want (or need!) from your planning team—and when we step into the process.

Hiring a Day of Wedding Coordinator is Best For Couples Who:

Are organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy planning
Have already booked their vendors
Feel confident managing the big picture
Want to hand things off toward the end so they can actually enjoy their wedding

This option is great for couples who want to be in the driver’s seat but know they don’t want to manage vendors, timelines, or logistics on their actual wedding day. (Because no one should be answering setup questions in a wedding dress or tux.)

Full-Service Planning & Design is Ideal For Couples Who:

Don’t have time to plan due to work, school, or family life
Want help designing a cohesive and personalized look
Feel overwhelmed by choices and need a trusted guide
Want a true partner throughout the planning journey

This option is perfect if you want a stunning, thoughtful wedding—but without the stress of coordinating every little detail yourself.

As New Mexico wedding planners, we’ve helped all kinds of couples figure out what level of support is right for them—whether they’re planning a modern downtown wedding in Albuquerque or a colorful desert celebration in Santa Fe.

Still deciding between hiring a planner or doing it all yourself? Our DIY vs. Planner blog post lays out the pros and cons so you can make the best choice for your vision and sanity.

Why We Love Full-Service (and Think You Might Too)

Don’t get us wrong—we love being brought on as day of coordinators. It’s incredibly rewarding to step in at the end and make sure everything flows just right. But as we mentioned before the coordination is never just one day. Even when couples hire us later in the process, we’re still putting in weeks of prep to make the day feel effortless.

That’s why full-service planning holds such a special place in our hearts. When we get to walk with you from the very beginning, we’re not just managing logistics—we’re designing an experience that’s uniquely you. It’s more than just planning—it’s a partnership. We’re not just your planners; we’re your people. Along the way, we get to know your story, your style, your priorities—and that connection shines through in every last detail.

And the best part? Watching that moment when you fully exhale, knowing you’re not doing this alone. We’re with you every step of the way.

Photo Credit: Christian Oth Studio