Planning your wedding at Chapman Hill, a beautiful 17-acre indoor and outdoor upscale farmhouse venue near Athens, Georgia, is an exciting journey filled with decisions that will shape your big day. From the flowers to the food, every detail matters—but one of the most important decisions you'll make is whether to hire a full-service wedding planner or a month-of coordinator. Each role brings its own set of benefits, but how do you know which is the best fit for you?
Let’s dive into the key differences between a wedding planner and a month-of coordinator, and how to choose the best option for your wedding at Chapman Hill.
photo - @k_p_photo | coordination - @georgiadollevents | floral - @bloomandivyweddings | HAMU - @lavenderluxebridal
What Does a Wedding Planner Do?
A wedding planner is your partner from the very beginning of the planning process. If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed by the idea of how to plan a wedding, a full-service wedding planner might be the best investment. They’ll guide you every step of the way, from venue selection to the tiniest decor details.
photo - @weddingbug_studios | floral - @georgiadollevents | coordintor - @georgiadollevents
Here are some tasks a wedding planner typically handles:
Budget Management: One of the most stressful parts of wedding planning is managing the budget. A wedding planner helps you allocate funds wisely and avoid costly mistakes.
Vendor Selection: Need a florist, photographer, or caterer? Your wedding planner will have relationships with trusted vendors near your venue and can help secure the best deals.
Design and Styling: If you have a vision but aren’t sure how to bring it to life, your planner will curate a cohesive design that reflects your style and complements the beauty of Chapman Hill.
Logistics and Timelines: They’ll create detailed timelines and handle all logistics, ensuring that your day runs smoothly from start to finish.
A full-service wedding planner is ideal for couples who want a stress-free experience and professional expertise in executing their wedding vision. It’s also a great option if you’re planning a destination wedding or don’t live near Athens and need someone local to manage the process.
photo - @kay.nicole.photo | floral - soireessouthernevents | coordinator - @georgiadollevents
What Does a Month-of Coordinator Do?
A month-of coordinator steps in about 4–6 weeks before your wedding day to ensure everything you’ve planned goes off without a hitch. If you’re confident in your planning skills but need help with the final touches and day-of coordination, this could be the perfect option for you.
Here’s what a month-of coordinator typically manages:
Final Vendor Confirmation: They’ll contact all your vendors to confirm arrangements and schedules, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Timeline Creation: About a month before your wedding, your coordinator will create a detailed day-of timeline that outlines everything from setup to the grand exit.
Rehearsal and Day-Of Management: They’ll run your rehearsal and be on-site on the big day to manage vendors, solve last-minute problems, and ensure everything flows smoothly.
On-The-Day Troubleshooting: If anything goes wrong on the day of your wedding, your month-of coordinator is there to handle it so you don’t have to.
A month-of coordinator is a great option if you’ve already planned most of your wedding but want to enjoy the last month stress-free, knowing that all the details are in capable hands.
How to Choose: Wedding Planner or Month-of Coordinator?
The decision between hiring a wedding planner or a month-of coordinator largely depends on how much time, energy, and expertise you want to invest in the planning process.
Consider these factors:
How Involved Do You Want to Be? If you love the idea of planning every detail of your wedding and just need someone to take over at the end, a month-of coordinator is perfect. However, if you want to relax and leave it to the professionals from start to finish, go for a full-service wedding planner.
Time and Stress Level: If you’re balancing a busy career or live far from your wedding location, you may not have the time to plan every detail. A wedding planner can take the stress off your plate, whereas a month-of coordinator steps in when you're closer to the finish line.
Budget Considerations: Wedding planners generally charge more due to the time and work involved over months of preparation. A month-of coordinator is a more budget-friendly option if you’re handling most of the planning yourself.
photo - @k_p_photo | coordination - @georgiadollevents | floral - @bloomandivyweddings | HAMU - @lavenderluxebridal
Questions to Ask When Booking a Wedding Planner or Coordinator
Before hiring a wedding planner or coordinator, ask the following questions to make sure they are the right fit:
How many weddings have you planned/coordinated at venues like Chapman Hill? Experience with similar venues can be a major asset.
What is your process for working with vendors? Ensure they have established relationships with reputable vendors near Athens.
What happens in the case of an emergency or unexpected event? Find out how they handle unforeseen circumstances to keep the day on track.
What’s included in your services? Be clear about what’s covered in their package—especially if you’re hiring a month-of coordinator.
How do you communicate with couples? Consistent communication is key. Make sure their style matches your needs, whether that’s regular check-ins or hands-off until needed.
From moment to moment, your wedding planner is there to guarantee magic photo - @k_p_photo | coordination - @georgiadollevents | floral - @bloomandivyweddings
Your Dream Wedding at Chapman Hill
Whether you decide to hire a full-service wedding planner or a month-of coordinator, one thing is certain: Chapman Hill is the perfect setting to bring your wedding dreams to life. This elegant, upscale wedding venue near me offers versatility, stunning natural beauty, and the space to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Chapman Hill is a locally owned and operated business. We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about the value and importance of choosing a locally-owned business when it’s time to book your wedding venue & vendors. With locally owned venues you will often see a higher level of hospitality, better communication, and a greater desire to truly ensure your wedding exceeds expectations. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout-out in our blog. you can find locally-owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
Love this article topic, so many couples are bombarded with confusing advice from big wedding websites. Thankfully locally owned wedding venues are providing the best wedding planning education! weddingvenueowners.com