Charlotte Wedding Design - What is the difference between a designer and decorator?

Miriam Ackerman
Apr 28
2 min read

We receive inquiries weekly that ask for a month of coordinator with help with design. When we hop on a consultation call with the potential client we find out that what they are really looking for is someone to help decorate their wedding. They have planned a DIY wedding where they have purchased the centerpieces, archway installation, and other decor options and they want someone to decorate the space.

Let's be clear, this is not design. Let's also expand on how this takes away the wedding planner's ability to focus on the actual job they are hired to do. A wedding planner or wedding coordinator is hired to manage the wedding vendors, timeline, and overall event. The planner is there to put out fires and fix problems that arise. If the planner is busy doing the decorating that a florist should have been hired to do, this takes away the ability to do the work they were hired to do. When the planner is asked to become the decorator, they are essentially becoming 2 vendors - both the florist and the planner.

Now, we as planners are here to solve problems and will suggest that you have a few friends to be the decorators, or we will hire in additional staff to decorate and then break it back down at the end of the night. But decorating is not our job as planners.

Now, let's talk about a Designer and what they do. We have a full in-house design team that will help design your wedding day. Our full service planning package includes design and we also offer it as an add on. We have a 3 step process in our design to help create a gorgeous and customized wedding for each of our clients.

First, we host a design consultation where we ask indepth questions to get to know our clients, their hobbies, their style, and their tastes. This will include so many fun questions about where they like to travel, their favorite cuisines, and their favorite pieces of furniture. We deep dive in to really understand what makes them joyous in life. Then we take a few weeks to curate a beautiful design board to showcase what we are envisioning for the wedding day. After approval, we move on to the next step.

Next up is securing the vendor team for design. We secure the florist, rentals, and stationery and other design options we need to customize this event.

Finally, we move into production! This is where we create a 3D rendering, floor plans, and design deck that has all of your design elements together for you to see! Of course we are onsite on your wedding day to over see the production and make sure tables are styled and look gorgeous! We will over see the wedding vendors to ensure that your design comes together flawlessly!