How we compare: published facts only — our own figures from our site, other businesses' facts from their own pages with the date we read them — no invented prices, no disparagement, and we say where the other option wins. Updated 5 September 2026.
| Before the day | On the day | Suppliers | Budget | Contracts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding planner (e.g. us) | Concept, timeline, guest logistics, the whole planning journey | Team on site, runs the schedule, solves problems | Finds, negotiates and manages every supplier | Builds and guards the whole budget | One contract with the planner; supplier contracts coordinated |
| Venue coordinator | Everything about the house: space, often the kitchen, house rules | Makes sure the house delivers | The house's own; rarely external | The venue's part | The venue's contract |
| On-the-day coordinator | Takes over in the final weeks | Runs the run-sheet on the day | Coordinates the ones you booked | None | A contract for the day |
| Yourselves | Everything | You, or a friend | You | You | Every contract |
Cost logic, with our own figures. Partial planning from €1,500 for a small wedding; full planning from €3,000; a flat fee agreed per project, significant scope changes can raise it; no markup on suppliers' prices — every supplier cost and our fee shown separately; a first deposit on signing (the amount depends on the venue), a second during the planning, the remainder before the wedding; no minimum guest count or budget. We do not offer on-the-day-only coordination. A venue coordinator is often part of the venue hire or package — ask the venue exactly what is covered and for how many hours. A freelance day coordinator's price varies by market: confirm with the one you consider.
The questions couples ask. Fixed fee or percentage? With us a flat fee; the industry also uses percentages, hourly rates and retainers — ask before comparing quotes. Does the planner add anything on top of suppliers' prices? Ask every planner and demand a written answer; with us the rule is easy to check: no markup on suppliers' prices, every cost open in the budget. Is the venue included in the fee? No — the venue is its own cost with every planner.
Who suits which. A planner when you plan remotely, have many external suppliers, a clear creative idea, or want to be guests at your own wedding. The venue coordinator is enough — and cheaper — at a hotel or restaurant with a complete in-house package and a guest list that fits the house. An on-the-day coordinator when you have planned everything and just want to let go; we say plainly that a freelance day coordinator or the venue's own is then often a better fit than we are. Yourselves for a smaller wedding with few suppliers and plenty of time; our complete guide is written to take you the whole way.