The Differences Between A Wedding Planner & An Event Stylist 

One of the questions we are regularly asked here at BCME is the difference between wedding coordinators, planners and stylists. After all, it’s hard to know whose services to use if you’re not exactly sure about what each role involves. Luckily, our expert panel member and founder of Cloud 9 Weddings and Events, Mennat Al Hammami, is on hand to clear up the confusion and help you to decide who will best suit your wedding day needs and vision. Read on to learn more!

Once a couple is newly engaged, they begin their research to try and locate a professional that can meet their wedding needs in the best way possible. For us wedding professionals, we try to make this process easier for them by clearly outlining the type of services offered. When browsing various Social Media channels, there can be an overwhelming sensation felt, especially by brides, due to the amount of images professionals post as part of their content. Styled shoots, real weddings, reposts of inspiration images; it is easy to get lost in asking “what type of professional can I hire to create this look?” or “do I need a full service planner or just a stylist?”

In a competitive industry, wedding companies choose for themselves what they offer and how they will go about describing their services. For example, there are those that call themselves designers (or, more often, stylists). Then there are those that call themselves planners. Each of these roles can be taken care of by different professionals and sometimes, the same professional. Allow me to explain…

Planners are full service advocates who are with couples every step of the way. Under the realm of planning come many responsibilities. A planner will consult with the couple on every detail of their wedding to find out more about where they are in the planning process, whilst offering advice and recommendations. They provide guidance from start to finish on the design elements, suggest venues, theme concepts if none have been selected, and even delve in to as much detail as the wedding gown and bridal look. When working on a wedding, planners will oversee all of the logistics, select vendors that fit in with a couple’s budget and style, and assist with areas involving etiquette, tablescapes and a wedding day timeline. 

The planner’s team is also present on the day, ensuring the smooth running of the entire event. I wish I could say the role ends there, yet luckily, planners get to experience a lot more! Since they are typically responsible for managing all involved vendors, handling final payments on behalf of the couple and fixing any problems, should they arise, by the time a couple’s big day arrives the planner will know the couple’s entire family and close friends, and ultimately the wedding day vision in every form and capacity possible. Picture having someone build you the house of your dreams from scratch, up to even the details of the interiors and moving in!

The term wedding stylist, is relatively new to some couples. The best way to explain the difference is to narrow down the definition of a stylist; the role of arranging things in an attractive way, to form an overall look using details of design. Stylists almost always offer services such as floral design and stationery products, table décor details such as table ware, glassware, cutlery, linens, bouquets and centerpieces, photo backdrops, favour ideas, ceremony programs, floor plans, decor and lighting; not to mention furniture rentals.

All of these aspects are details that make up the atmosphere of your wedding. Stylists primarily focus on components that perfect the overall style the couple is after. Going back to how every professional describes their services differently, all of those details mentioned under a Stylist’s role are aspects that wedding planners include as part of their comprehensive décor packages.

There are a number of ways in which you can go about seeking the help of a wedding professional. Some select planners and stylists will offer design services bundled together with coordination services (i.e., they will help make your wedding look pretty and will be able to make sure your flower girls or zaffeh band are on time). Most will group styling services into their full service planning or styling services as a ‘coordination package’. As a couple, your best bet is to find someone who can provide an inclusive experience so the above mentioned areas all fit cohesively together.

I hope that this somehow clarifies all the different roles for a professional to handle your wedding. Whether it’s the simple coordinator you are looking for to oversee the details of your intimate wedding, or a full service so that you can feel totally relaxed and free of responsibility, both are equally important, and neither should be overlooked!  

xX Mennat Xx

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