The Difference Between a Wedding Planner and a Bridal Concierge

Introduction to Wedding Planning Roles

Do you know the difference, FWS readers, between a wedding planner and a bridal concierge?  Here at FWS HQ we didn’t, so we asked our resident wedding planning expert Fabienne - owner of Elian Concept Weddings and Events to help us shed light on what is the difference, and how it applies if you are planning your wedding.

Insights from an Expert Wedding Planner

Fabienne’s Perspective on Wedding Planning

I must admit this question from the French Wedding Style editor Laura Payne-Stanley arrived a bit out of the blue for me. Obviously I knew of the word ‘concierge’ and its most used meanings and I must have come across the expression from time to time in the wedding world, although without paying too much attention to it. But now it’s time to have a closer look.

Concierge in the Travel and Hospitality Industry

Quite a well known occupation in the travel and hospitality industry, one probably remembers the person at a hotel desk who assists guests by booking tours, making theatre or restaurant reservations, or advise on local shops and transport. In luxury hotels, their job may go beyond these basic tasks to satisfy high-ends clients, and to nearly act as a personal assistant but in essence this is their role. Be careful with the word ‘concierge’ in France as, outside the hospitality industry context, it stands for a person who looks after a block of flats. Not quite the same!

Image by Claire Morris Photography

The Role of a Bridal Concierge in the Wedding Industry

Defining Bridal Concierge Services

So in the wedding industry, aside the traditional concierge encountered during a honeymoon or the stay at a five-star hotel, what lies behind the label ‘wedding or bridal concierge’ and most of all what is the difference between that and the role of a wedding planner?

Image by Nicholas Purcell Studio

Services Offered by Bridal Concierge

For me, the answer is in the word ‘services’. Often seen to describe tailored, exclusive services, ‘offering bridal concierge services’ is in fact facilitating the unique and specific requests of your clients, whether you work in a hotel, a bridal shop, a travel agency or a wedding planning agency. And the extent of these services. (Please note that I am concentrating here on services provided by ‘real people’ as opposed to the ‘wedding concierge’ services promoted by some wedding websites.)

Image by Brant Smith Photography

Examples of Bridal Concierge Services

For example for a bridal shop, it may be to help the bride find her dress style, book her appointments and accompany her to the dress fittings, even source her perfect honeymoon outfits.

Comparing Wedding Planners and Bridal Concierges

Wedding Planners as Personal Assistants

Wedding planners often carry out tasks similar to the ones of a personal assistant and as such are offering ‘concierge type services’, whilst so called ‘wedding and bridal concierge’ may also be offering wedding planning.

Image by Marine Blanchard / L’hotel

Clarifying the Confusion

I would say not so much as long as, when looking for somebody to help you, you are quite clear about what kind of assistance you need, and you check what’s on offer based on these specific needs.

Image by Brant Smith Photography

Destination Weddings and Additional Services

Comprehensive Services for Destination Brides

For the destination bride, the assistance in the planning process is habitually not limited to the organisation of the wedding day itself. A wedding in France often takes place over several days and a range of other services is required for a flawless event e.g. sourcing local accommodation for guests, booking extra activities, organising transport, baby sitters, special entertainment and even chefs or maid services in case of luxury gite rentals. Anything to give the bride and groom their dream day and to make the guest experience unforgettable.  In general, destination wedding planner services will cover all this. We, at Elian Concept Weddings certainly do.

Top Photo credit: Erika Gerdemark