Do You Need a Wedding Planner? Full-Service, DIY, and Day-of Coordinators

“Do we need a planner?” is one of the first questions couples ask after they get engaged.

The honest answer: it depends on your budget, your timeline, your complexity, and how much of the planning process you actually want to manage.

There’s no single right answer, but there are clear differences between the three main options. Understanding them will help you make a decision you won’t second-guess.

Option 1: Full-service wedding planner

A full-service planner is involved from the beginning. They help with vendor selection, budget management, design decisions, timeline creation, and day-of execution.

What they typically do:

• Help define your vision and translate it into a plan
• Recommend and vet vendors across every category
• Manage contracts and payment schedules
• Coordinate design elements (florals, decor, lighting, linens)
• Build and manage your master timeline
• Run the rehearsal
• Manage the entire wedding day: vendor arrivals, setup, guest flow, timeline execution, and teardown

When it makes sense:

• Your budget can support it (full-service planners typically start around $3,000 to $5,000 and go up from there, depending on the market and scope)
• You have limited time to plan (demanding careers, long-distance planning, etc.)
• Your wedding is complex (multiple venues, large guest count, destination logistics, cultural elements requiring specific coordination)
• You simply don’t want the stress of managing it yourself

The real value: A good planner doesn’t just save you time. They prevent costly mistakes, negotiate better rates, and catch problems before they reach you. They also serve as a buffer between you and the logistics on your wedding day, so you can actually be present.

Option 2: DIY planning

Plenty of couples plan their own weddings successfully. With the right tools and a realistic understanding of the workload, it’s completely doable.

What DIY planning looks like:

• You research and hire every vendor yourself
• You manage your own budget with spreadsheets or apps
• You build your timeline and coordinate vendor communication
• You handle RSVPs, seating charts, and day-of logistics
• On the wedding day, you (or a trusted friend/family member) manage the setup and flow

Tools that help:

• Spreadsheets. Google Sheets is surprisingly powerful for budget tracking and vendor comparison.
• Planning apps. The Knot, Zola, and similar platforms have built-in checklists, budget trackers, and vendor directories.
• Shared documents. A Google Drive folder with contracts, timelines, and vendor contact info keeps everything in one place.

When it makes sense:

• Your wedding is smaller or simpler (under 100 guests, single venue, minimal production)
• You enjoy planning and organizing
• Your budget is tight and planner fees aren’t feasible
• You have reliable help from family or bridal party members

The honest reality: DIY planning works well right up until the wedding day itself. On the day, you don’t want to be the person answering vendor questions, managing the timeline, or figuring out where the cake table goes. That’s where the next option comes in.

Option 3: Day-of coordinator

The name is slightly misleading. A “day-of coordinator” (DOC) doesn’t just show up the day of. They typically step in 4 to 6 weeks before your wedding and take over the logistical heavy lifting.

What a DOC typically does:

• Reviews all vendor contracts and confirms details
• Creates (or refines) the master day-of timeline
• Coordinates vendor communication in the final weeks
• Manages the rehearsal
• Runs the wedding day: directing setup, managing vendor arrivals, cueing moments, solving problems, and keeping everything on schedule
• Handles teardown and end-of-night logistics

When it makes sense:

• You’ve done the planning yourself and need someone to execute it
• You want your wedding day to feel smooth without managing it yourself
• Your budget doesn’t stretch to a full-service planner, but you know you need coordination help
• You want your family and bridal party to enjoy the day instead of managing logistics

What a DOC costs: Day-of coordinators typically range from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the market and scope of service. Some include the rehearsal, some don’t. Ask.

My strong recommendation: If you’re doing DIY planning, a day-of coordinator is the single best investment you can make. I’ve seen the difference it makes hundreds of times. When there’s a DOC, the couple enjoys the day. When there isn’t one, someone (usually a parent or maid of honor) ends up managing logistics, and they can’t fully enjoy the celebration either.

The venue coordinator is not the same thing

This is the most common misunderstanding in wedding planning.

Most venues provide a “venue coordinator.” This person is valuable, but their job is to manage the venue’s operations:

• Kitchen timing and meal service
• Room setup (tables and chairs in the correct configuration)
• Bar service and beverage logistics
• Cleaning and venue-specific requirements

What a venue coordinator usually does not do:

• Manage your personal timeline
• Coordinate with your DJ, photographer, or florist
• Set up your centerpieces, card table, or personal decor
• Handle vendor arrivals and load-in schedules
• Manage ceremony logistics
• Solve problems outside the venue’s scope

This doesn’t mean your venue coordinator isn’t helpful. They are. But they’re managing the venue’s interests, not yours. A day-of coordinator or planner manages your event.

How entertainment fits into the coordination picture

As a DJ and MC, I work closely with planners and coordinators on every wedding. The partnership looks like this:

• The planner or DOC owns the master timeline. I align my music, announcements, and pacing to it.
• I coordinate with catering. Before I announce toasts or transitions, I confirm that food service is ready.
• I cue the photographer. Before entrances, first dances, and surprise moments, I make sure the photo team is in position.
• I communicate with the venue. Power needs, sound restrictions, and load-in logistics are handled before the day, not during it.

When there’s a planner or DOC, this coordination is seamless. When there isn’t one, the DJ/MC often fills some of those gaps, but it works better when everyone has a defined role.

For a deeper look at how vendor coordination works, check out Vendor Coordination 101.

A simple decision framework

Not sure which option fits? Ask yourself these questions:

Budget check:

• Can you allocate $3,000+ for a full-service planner? If yes, seriously consider it.
• Can you allocate $1,000 to $2,500 for a DOC? If you’re planning DIY, this is worth it.

Complexity check:

• More than 150 guests? A planner or DOC is strongly recommended.
• Multiple venues or spaces? Coordination complexity goes up significantly.
• Cultural or religious elements that require specific timing? A planner who understands those elements is valuable.

Personality check:

• Do you enjoy planning, organizing, and managing details? DIY might be genuinely fun for you.
• Does the idea of managing vendors and timelines stress you out? That’s not a weakness. Hire help.

Key takeaways

• A full-service planner manages everything from vision to execution. Best for complex weddings, busy couples, or anyone who wants expert guidance throughout.
• DIY planning works for smaller, simpler weddings with organized couples who enjoy the process.
• A day-of coordinator is the best middle ground: you do the planning, they execute the day. Highly recommended for DIY weddings.
• The venue coordinator manages the venue, not your personal event. Know the difference.
• There’s no wrong answer. Choose the option that matches your budget, complexity, and stress tolerance.

You made it through the guide

This is the final post in the How to Plan a Wedding series. If you’ve been following along, you now have a solid foundation:

1. How to Get Started: Budget, Guest List, and Vision
2. Wedding Planning Timeline: When to Book What
3. How to Choose the Right Wedding Venue
4. How to Hire Wedding Vendors
5. This post: Do You Need a Wedding Planner?

Planning a wedding is a lot of work, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. If you’re thinking about entertainment and want to talk through your vision, timeline, or vendor coordination, I’m here to help.

Next step: Check availability.