Why Partial Planning Might Be Your Wedding’s Secret Weapon

Let’s get real for a second — there’s a reason more and more couples are choosing Partial Planning over Day-of Coordination. It’s not because Day-of doesn’t work… it’s because some weddings need more than a four-week handoff.

If your wedding is at a full-service venue — meaning your catering, staff, tables, chairs, and setup team are already included — Day-of Coordination can absolutely be the perfect fit. In those cases, my team and I come in, fine-tune your timeline, communicate with your vendors, and make sure the day runs seamlessly.

An ‘empty shell’ venue: where dream weddings begin (and planners earn their stripes.

But if your wedding is at a private estate, backyard, or DIY-style location — where every single detail has to be planned, ordered, and set up separately — that’s when Partial Planning becomes a game-changer.

When there isn’t a built-in venue team, you’re essentially building your own from scratch. That means:

Renting everything from the tent and tables to generators and lighting.

Coordinating multiple deliveries (rentals, florals, bar service, restrooms — all arriving at different times).

Figuring out power sources, layout flow, parking, and setup space.

When I step in as a Day-of Coordinator only four weeks out, I’m inheriting all of that — without having been part of the early decisions that shape how well it all fits together. That makes my job exponentially harder, and it puts a lot of pressure on you too, because if something was missed months ago, there’s very little time to fix it.

Partial Planning bridges that gap. It gives us the time to catch those small oversights before they become big day-of headaches — things like not having enough power, missing lighting over the cake table, or not planning for shuttle parking (all real examples from my past weddings!).

A sweetheart table with vintage soul — lace, candlelight, and all the charm of a private estate.

Partial Planning isn’t about taking over your wedding. It’s about giving you professional guidance earlier, so you can feel confident in your decisions and actually enjoy your day. You’ll still be in full control of your planning — I’m just there to connect the dots, fill in the gaps, and make sure your wedding feels as effortless as it looks.

So whether you’re booking a beautiful ballroom or transforming a backyard, the right level of planning support can make all the difference. And sometimes, a little extra planning is what keeps the champagne from spilling.