Demystifying the Hours of Planners and Designers
Demystifying the Hours: What Really Goes Into Planning & Designing Your Wedding
When it comes to planning a wedding, it’s easy to underestimate the sheer volume of hours and the depth of detail required to bring your vision to life. And truthfully, that’s part of the magic — because when done well, it looks effortless.
But behind that effortless beauty is an average of 450 hours of work — and that’s just for the day itself.
Let’s peel back the curtain.
Planners vs Designers — What’s the Difference?
While many people use the terms interchangeably, wedding planners and designers bring distinct skills to the table. Planners handle logistics, timelines, coordination, and vendor management. Designers craft the aesthetic vision, curate details, and create a sensory experience that feels like you.
In some cases, these are two separate professionals or teams. But in the case of LUKdesign, we offer both services in one seamless experience.
That means: strategy + style, logistics + magic, function + feeling — all under one roof.
So Where Do the 450 Hours Go?
It sounds like a lot. Because it is. On average, we spend:
250 hours on planning and coordination
200 hours on design and styling
That doesn’t include things like your welcome party, rehearsal day, or farewell brunch. Just the wedding itself.
Still think it’s “just booking vendors”?
Here’s a deeper dive into where those hours go:
1. Researching & Sourcing (aka hours of behind-the-scenes magic)
Think venue tours, mood board development, comparing vendor packages, reviewing contracts, and finding that one shade of linen that matches your floral palette. We don't just Google and hope for the best — we source intentionally.
2. Managing Needs & Logistics
We manage everything from RSVP tracking and floor plans, to dietary requirements, guest accommodation options, transportation logistics, weather contingency plans, and the 30+ other elements that make up a well-run wedding. Every touchpoint matters — because your guest experience is our priority.
3. Coordinating Timelines & Activities
We craft a minute-by-minute run sheet for your day (and the days around it). That includes coordinating bump-in schedules, cueing your photographer at golden hour, and making sure no one sees the bride before the aisle walk. Every detail, mapped out — and executed flawlessly.
More Than Just One Job
When you hire a full-service planner and designer, you’re actually hiring a team that wears four hats:
Strategic Planner
Creative Designer
Operations Manager
Personal Advocate
And the weight of all of that? About 450 hours of energy, focus, and care poured into making your celebration seamless, beautiful, and uniquely yours.
Why It Feels Overwhelming to DIY
You might be wondering why planning your own wedding feels like a second full-time job. It’s because… it is.
Between your day job, life responsibilities, and simply wanting to enjoy your engagement — trying to juggle vendors, timelines, budgets, and design elements on your own can become a source of stress, not joy.
We’ve seen it time and time again. That’s why we created LUKdesign to offer a grounded, elevated, and personal approach — so your journey to “I do” feels as good as the day itself.
No Fluff. Just Real, Expert Care.
At LUKdesign, we don’t sugar coat the work required — we just do it with integrity, precision, and a little bit of sparkle.
We’ve executed hundreds of weddings — intimate and grand, timeless and avant-garde — and we know exactly what it takes to deliver not only a beautiful celebration but an experience that allows you to be fully present.
Let’s Bring Your Day to Life — Stress-Free
We’d love to explore how we can support you.
Whether you’re dreaming up something wildly romantic, effortlessly modern, or completely unexpected — we’re here to make it feel effortless (even though it never is!).
📧 Email us at hello@LUKdesign.com.au to book your complimentary wedding discovery call. Let's chat about how we can help create your unforgettable celebration — with zero stress and all the wow.