Planner vs. Hobbyist: Why Professional Coordination Is Worth Every Penny

eventswithsummer
Oct 7
3 min read

Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more posts from couples searching for “cheap day-of coordinators,” with people offering to work full weddings for $200–$800. And honestly? It’s frustrating, not because couples don’t deserve to save money, but because it’s simply not possible to provide real, professional coordination at that price.

As full-time planners and coordinators, we work so much more than just the wedding day itself.

Yes, we’re there for 10–12 hours on the day, but we also spend dozens of hours beforehand reviewing contracts, building timelines, confirming logistics, communicating with vendors, and making sure our couples feel confident and supported long before they walk down the aisle.

Let’s break down the difference between a professional planner and a hobbyist, and why that difference matters more than you might think.

1. A Planner Is a Professional | A Hobbyist Is a Helper

A professional wedding planner runs a business — not a side gig. We’re licensed, insured, experienced, and trained to handle everything from logistics to last-minute emergencies. We’ve invested in systems, planning software, and staff to make sure every detail is managed seamlessly.

A hobbyist, on the other hand, might love weddings and be happy to lend a hand, but that doesn’t mean they have the experience or structure to manage an entire event. When something goes wrong, and trust me, something always does, you want someone who’s been there before and knows exactly how to fix it calmly and efficiently.

2. True “Day-Of” Coordination Starts Weeks Beforehand

Here’s a secret: there’s no such thing as just day-of coordination.

By the time your wedding day arrives, your planner has already:

Reviewed every vendor contract
Built a master timeline covering every single detail
Confirmed arrival times and responsibilities with all vendors
Walked the venue and mapped out floor plans
Created backup plans for weather, transportation, and unexpected issues
Answered countless emails, texts, and calls to keep everyone aligned

That’s not “day-of” work — that’s weeks of preparation.When someone offers to do all that for $200, it simply isn’t sustainable. You might be getting someone who shows up for a few hours — not someone who’s actually managing your event from start to finish.

3. A Planner Protects Your Investment

You’re investing thousands into your wedding — venue, photography, catering, florals, décor, entertainment, and more. A professional planner ensures that all of those moving pieces come together perfectly.

We know how to manage timing, problem-solve on the fly, and coordinate vendors so the day flows effortlessly for you and your guests. A hobbyist may be able to set out your décor or keep an eye on a timeline, but a professional planner is the one holding the entire day together behind the scenes.

We’re not just making things look pretty — we’re protecting your investment and your peace of mind.

4. For Us, This Is a Full-Time Career — Not a Weekend Job

Many of us have made weddings our life’s work. We do this full-time, all year round. We’ve built systems, relationships, and experience that allow us to anticipate challenges and prevent problems before they even start.

We can’t compete with hobbyist pricing because we’re not offering the same thing. We have overhead, insurance, taxes, assistants, and hours upon hours of unseen prep work that make your day look effortless.

When you hire a professional, you’re not just paying for hours — you’re paying for expertise and peace of mind.

5. The Hard Truth: You Get What You Pay For

If someone offers to coordinate your entire wedding for $200, one of three things is usually true:

They don’t fully understand how much work is involved.
They’re cutting corners somewhere (usually in preparation or communication).
Or they’re doing it as a hobby, not a professional service.

And while that might seem like a deal in the moment, it often leads to more stress, confusion, and disappointment down the line.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event — it’s not the day to take chances on inexperience.

Final Thoughts: Invest in Your Peace of Mind

I completely understand that weddings are expensive, and it’s natural to want to save where you can. But hiring a true professional planner or coordinator isn’t a luxury — it’s an investment in your experience.

Our job is to make sure you get to be fully present — to laugh, cry, dance, and soak in every single moment — while we handle everything else behind the scenes.

So the next time you see someone offering full-day coordination for $200, ask yourself: