A Guide to Wedding Planning Support Levels
- Michelle Lew
- Nov 17, 2025
- 5 min read
If you're newly engaged or in the early stages of wedding planning, you’ve probably noticed that planners offer several levels of service from Day-Of (or Month-Of) Coordination (also known as event management), Partial Planning, and Full-Service Planning. While these categories sound straightforward, the nuances between them can make all the difference in your planning experience, stress level, and peace of mind.
Each planner may operate differently from the next. We've found that even with these categories and planning descriptors, each planner offers specific services, so you'll want to find what works best for you.
As a team that has supported countless couples through this process, we’ve seen firsthand how each service level meets different needs. This blog post breaks down what each package truly entails so you can confidently choose the right fit for your wedding.
Why “Day-Of” Is Really Month-Of Coordination
Many couples are surprised to learn that true “day-of” planning doesn’t actually exist, or at least not in a way that sets you and your vendor team up for success. From an expert standpoint, it is impossible to manage a wedding effectively without understanding your vendors, timeline, logistics, and layout beforehand. Quality support requires preparation.
That’s why most reputable planners (ours included) provide month-of coordination. The wedding industry often uses the phrase day-of coordination because it’s familiar and easy for couples to recognize. However, the truth is that coordination is only a small fraction of what actually happens behind the scenes. The word itself suggests something simple and surface-level: organizing details, confirming times, and making sure things run smoothly. In reality, the work required to successfully execute a wedding extends far beyond coordinating.
We've found that "event management" is the more accurate term for what planners provide at this service level. It better reflects the depth of responsibility, decision-making, and logistical oversight involved.
What Month-Of Coordination Includes
At your wedding, you should be the Guests of Honor, not the party host. You'll have your own bridal responsibilities to attend to. With a professional making sure that the day-of execution goes according to plan, you can focus on enjoying the day to the fullest.
Month-of is best for couples who:
Have already booked their vendors (or are comfortable booking them on their own)
Have a clear vision or may prefer to plan independently
Want an expert to take over before the wedding so they can enjoy the final stretch
With this package, your planning team steps in to:
Build your comprehensive wedding-day timeline
Serve as the main point of contact for vendors
Manage your rehearsal
Handle all day-of logistics and personal items
Create your ceremony and reception layout (a crucial step that ensures flow)
Think of month-of coordination as: “We’ve handled the planning, now bring it to life.”
It’s the foundation of support, designed to keep your day running smoothly.
Partial Planning: Ideal for the Busy or Overwhelmed Couple
Partial planning is where most couples see the greatest value. Planning a wedding requires dozens of hours spent on research, vendor outreach, comparison shopping, logistics, and budgeting. This is a tremendous amount of time most people simply don’t have. On average, our Periwinkle Partial Planning package saves our clients 80-100 hours of planning time. This level of service is designed to lighten that load while still allowing you to remain involved in the process.
Partial planning is best for couples who:
Working demanding jobs
Aren’t sure where to begin with vendors
Want professional guidance but still want to help shape the decisions
Couples who want more structure, accountability, and clarity throughout the planning process
With this package, your planning team steps in to:
Identify your style, priorities, and non-negotiables
Research, recommend, and negotiate with potential vendors
Help shape the look, tone, and flow of your day
Manage and track your budget
Create a personalized planning checklist and timeline
Host monthly planning meetings to keep everything on track
Continue to provide coordination and management as your wedding approaches
This package offers a balance:You stay involved where it matters most, while we manage the heavy lifting.
Full-Service Planning: Comprehensive Support from Start to Finish
Full-service planning is for couples who want a partner throughout the entire experience from selecting a venue to saying “I do.” It’s the most seamless, stress-free option, and the one where our expertise has the greatest impact on both logistics and guest experience. On average, our Lavender Full Planing package saves couples 120-150 hours of planning time.
Full Planning is best for couples who:
Are planning from afar or balancing major life commitments
Want a highly curated, cohesive wedding
Want guidance with every decision
Want to fully enjoy their engagement without managing the details
With this package, your planning team steps in to:
Research assist with venue booking
Manage vendors from start to finish
Create, track, and manage your budget
Design the entire event, including inspiration and styling direction
Create and manage your wedding website
Guidance on save-the-dates and invitations
Manage your RSVPs and guest list
Arrange hotel blocks, transportation, and guest accommodations
Plan logistics for the entire wedding weekend, not just the day
The heart of full planning is the guest experience. From the moment your guests receive your invitation to the moment they leave your reception, every detail is considered and cared for.
How to Choose the Best Planning Package for Your Wedding
Choosing the right package isn’t just about your budget, but instead it’s about how you want to feel throughout the planning process.
Here are a few questions to guide you:
How much time do you realistically have to plan?
Do you enjoy researching and comparing vendors?
How comfortable are you managing contracts and logistics?
How important is it for you to be hands-on versus hands-off?
Do you want a partner who can help shape the vision or simply finalize it?
No matter which package you choose, the goal is the same: To support you, protect your time, and help you enjoy your engagement. Wedding planning should feel exciting, not overwhelming. With the right level of support, it absolutely can be.
Want to learn more?
A wedding planner is more than a logistics manager. They’re your advocate, your sounding board, and the protector of your time and energy. Whether you need month-of coordination, partial planning, or comprehensive full-service support, our role is to help make your planning experience feel supported, intentional and organized.
Contact us to get started.
Looking for inspiration? Check out our Instagram @lavendercrownevents
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