I photograph weddings across the Seattle and Tacoma area, and the difference between a coordinated day and an uncoordinated one shows up in the images. A couple who are not managing logistics can actually enjoy their own wedding. That is the whole point.
If you are planning a Washington wedding and wondering whether to bring in a planner or coordinator, the answer is absolutely yes. Here are four in the Seattle-Tacoma area worth reaching out to.
Lauren Nicole Events
Lauren Nicole Events is based in Kent and serves couples across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Lauren handles the full scope: full-service planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, and elopement packages for gatherings under thirty guests.
She is thoughtful and helpful in organizing the vision for each couple so that everything comes together beautifully.
Website: https://www.laurennicoleevents.com/
Golden Hour Planning and Solutions
Golden Hour Planning and Solutions is based in Orting and run by Ashlie Smith, who has a background in architecture. I’ve seen firsthand her eye for design and her experience in creating a thoughtful flow for wedding days.
She offers planning and coordination services locally and virtually, which is useful for couples planning from out of state. She also offers wedding content creation as an add-on, meaning behind-the-scenes footage from your day delivered quickly for sharing. She also owns The Oliver, an intimate venue in Orting.
Colleen's Coordinating
Colleen's Coordinating is a Tacoma-based day-of coordination service to take everything off your plate once the planning is done and execute the plans cleanly. Her process includes a pre-event meeting to go through the full timeline, as much communication as you need via phone, text, or email in the weeks before, and twelve hours of on-site coordination the day of your wedding.
Working with Colleen, I have seen her organizational skills and calming attitude on wedding days. For couples who have done most of the planning themselves and need someone steady to run the day, she is a great option.
Website: https://colleenscoordinating.com
BB's Event Planning
BB's Event Planning is run by Brittany Bowman out of Snohomish, with services extending into Arizona and destination weddings. She has built a team around her that you can trust. I’ve seen how important this is on a wedding day, because having two or three team members present definitely changes how smoothly things move.
BB’s team creates timelines that flow the way photographers and florists need them to and they help to create a beautiful experience that guests and the couple will cherish. BB's offers full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, and wedding content creation for couples who want behind-the-scenes footage.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbseventplanning/
A Note on Finding the Right Fit
The right planner is not the one with the most packages. It is the one whose first conversation makes you feel understood and heard so that you can trust that your vision will be carried out.
Full-service planners are worth bringing in early, ideally twelve to eighteen months before your date if your wedding falls in peak PNW season. Day-of coordinators can be booked later, but six to nine months out gives you better options and more time to build the relationship before the day arrives.
If you are unsure where to start, reach out to a few of the planners above and pay attention to how the first call feels. That instinct is usually right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wedding planner and a day-of coordinator? A planner is involved from early in the process: venue selection, vendor contracts, budget management, design decisions. A day-of coordinator takes over in the final weeks and manages execution on the wedding day itself. Several planners on this list offer both.
Do I need a coordinator if my venue already has one? Yes, in most cases. A venue coordinator manages the venue's operations: its catering staff, setup, and timeline. They work for the venue. A wedding coordinator works for you. The two roles complement each other, but they are not the same.
When should I book a planner? For full-service planning, a year or more out is ideal. For day-of coordination, six to nine months gives you solid options and enough lead time to communicate well before the day.
Can I stay involved in the details if I hire a planner? Always. Partial planning is designed specifically for couples who want to lead on certain decisions and hand off others. Most of the planners above offer partial and à la carte services for exactly this reason.
If you are still building your vendor team and looking for a photographer who works well alongside planners and coordinators in the Seattle and Tacoma area, I would love to hear about your plans. Send me your date and let's talk through what your day needs. 🌿