Venue vs. Wedding Planner: What’s the Difference?

bar white

We often meet couples who feel a little confused—and honestly, we don’t blame them! Many couples reach out to several wedding planners and also directly to us, the venue. Then they notice that the prices for the same venue can look very different. So, what’s going on here? Let’s break it down.

Vivi photography x Sophia Wedding
(Photo by @vivilovesphotography)

 

   What We Do as a Venue
When you book directly with us, you’re reserving the space and time for your wedding. That’s it—   simple and straightforward. You’ll have the venue, but the rest (vendors, coordination, scheduling) will be in your hands.

 

   What Wedding Planners and Planning Companies Do
Wedding planners and companies go beyond the venue. They know the best vendors, they handle the logistics, and they guide you through every step of the planning process—which can feel overwhelming at times. Think of them as your partner in pulling everything together.

 

 

Do You Have to Hire a Planner?

Vivi photography x Sophia Wedding
(Photo by @vivilovesphotography)

Honestly, no! It often depends on the size and style of your wedding. We’ve seen wonderful weddings planned by families and friends who handled everything beautifully (from setting up to even cleaning the floors!). But we’ve also seen weddings where it was stressful to watch—trying to manage time, vendors, and guests while also enjoying your big day is a lot!

Our Best Advice
There’s no “right” or “wrong” way—this is your special day! If you feel confident managing the details, book the venue directly. If you think you’ll need an extra hand, work with a local wedding planner (and you can always add one later if you change your mind, of course earlier the better!!).

At the end of the day, everyone—us included—wants your wedding to be flawless and FUN. However you choose to plan, we’re here to help!

 

Our venues : Kailana Chapel, Angel Garden, The House of Grace, Hanalani Garden

Our preferred vendors : wedding planner and companies

If you wish to connect with us, click here

Mahalo for reading 𓈒 𓏸𓇼𓈒𓏸𓆉 𓏸𓈒𓐍

Previous Post
Tropical Bloom – Embracing Hawaii’s Natural Beauty

More From The Blog