What Does a Wedding Planner Do?

Inside the Signature Experience at Greg Reese Events

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Do I really need a wedding planner?”—you’re not alone. Many couples underestimate what goes into orchestrating a seamless wedding day. A wedding planner isn’t just someone with a clipboard. We are part creative director, part logistics engineer, and part therapist. At Greg Reese Events, we don’t just check boxes—we build immersive, emotionally resonant experiences.

Here’s exactly what a professional wedding planner does, and why having one changes everything.

1. Budget Strategy + Allocation

Weddings are emotional, but your budget shouldn’t be. A planner:

Helps define your overall wedding budget based on priorities, guest count, and venue type.
Allocates funds across categories like floral design, catering, rentals, music, and fashion.
Tracks spending and forecasts overages before they become problems.

“If you splurge on the band, we’ll help you save on lighting without losing impact.”

2. Vendor Sourcing & Management

There are dozens of vendors involved in a wedding—from the florist and photographer to the stationer, caterer, cake designer, DJ, transportation team, and more. A wedding planner:

Curates your vendor team based on your style, location, and budget.
Negotiates contracts and manages communication.
Coordinates arrival times, setup instructions, and deliverables.

At Greg Reese Events, we only recommend vendors whose work we know, trust, and can vouch for—no guesswork, no gamble.

3. Design Concept + Aesthetic Direction

While some couples hire both a wedding planner and a wedding designer, we do both. You get:

Color palette development
Mood board creation
Floral and tablescape design
Stationery coordination
Ceremony and reception styling

“Your wedding should look like a reflection of you—not a copy-paste from Pinterest.”

4. Timeline Creation + Flow Planning

Your wedding day moves quickly—and without a planner, it can easily unravel.

We create a master schedule that includes:

Hair and makeup timelines
Vendor arrival/setup times
Ceremony flow
Reception transitions
Toast, dance, and cake-cutting cues

Every vendor receives this timeline. Every minute is accounted for. Every person knows where to be.

5. Guest Experience Coordination

A planner ensures your guests are wowed from welcome drinks to farewell brunch. This includes:

Seating chart assistance
Transportation logistics
Hotel block management
Welcome bag design
Special needs or accessibility planning

At Greg Reese Events, we also help design experiential touchpoints: signature cocktails, cultural moments, sensory elements, or surprise entertainment.

6. Ceremony Rehearsal + Day-of Direction

We lead the rehearsal so everyone knows their cues, positions, and pacing.
On wedding day, we manage the entire timeline—vendor arrivals, setup, ceremony transitions, reception flow.
We problem-solve silently and swiftly. You’ll never hear about the cake arriving late or a boutonnière going missing—we’ve already fixed it.

“Think of us as conductors. You feel the music, we keep the orchestra in sync.”

7. Post-Wedding Wrap-Up

The job isn’t done after the sparkler exit. Your planner also:

Organizes vendor breakdown and strikes.
Ensures rental returns.
Manages tips, final payments, and item retrieval.
Helps begin the thank-you note and keepsake process.

What Makes Greg Reese Events Different?

We’re not just planners—we’re producers, stylists, advocates, and creative partners. From the moment you say yes to the final toast, we are there for:

Full-service wedding planning
Event design and production
Custom timeline and logistics
Floral and vendor orchestration
Concierge-level client care

Thinking of Hiring a Planner?

“If you want to be fully present on your wedding day—to feel, not manage—it’s time to bring in a planner who sees the full picture and every fine detail.”

Start your journey with Greg Reese Events today. Book a Consultation →