What Is an Online Wedding Planner? The Ins and Outs of Planning Virtually

There's a good chance you're reading this very story from a smartphone. After all, most daily tasks, from banking to shopping, are completed from the comfort of one's phone. And now, even wedding planning has embraced the digital world. In response to the ever-growing connectedness of the world, virtual and online wedding planners have emerged to accommodate on-the-go nearlywed digitally along their wedding journey.

According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, couples spent 91% of the time they dedicated to wedding planning carrying out tasks digitally. Specifically, respondents spent 47% of their planning time using a desktop or laptop and 44% on a smartphone or tablet. With just 9% of wedding planning time spent carrying out offline tasks, it's not hard to see why online wedding planners are a popular option for modern to-be-weds.

To better understand the ins and outs of virtual wedding planners and how to plan a wedding digitally, I spoke with a few knowledgeable wedding pros to get their planning tips. Lara Mahler is the owner of The Privilege is Mine, a NYC-based wedding planning company that has a virtual service offering known as TPIM Online. Brittany Smith is the owner of virtual wedding planning company The Venlist. And Ellie Durbin is the expert behind The Aisle Assistant.

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In addition to helping you find talented online wedding planners like the ones I spoke with, The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a wedding planning resource you can use along your digital wedding journey to find and book other great wedding pros. And to make the rest of digital planning a breeze, The Knot App can help you track your budget, guest list and to-do list from the palm of your hand.

Online wedding planner advice in this story: What They Do | Cost | Reasons to Hire | Pros to Know | Additional Online Tools

What Does a Virtual Wedding Planner Do?

What does a wedding planner do when carrying out business digitally? A virtual wedding planner (sometimes referred to as an online wedding planner) is a professional wedding vendor that helps nearlyweds prepare for their celebration using digital correspondence instead of traditional face-to-face meetings. Many virtual wedding planners handle the same tasks that traditional wedding planners are responsible for, during the prewedding stage. However, they won't be present on the wedding day the way that an in-person planner would be. Many online wedding planners offer custom and semi-custom packages depending on the needs of the couple.

As to-be-weds continue to eschew tradition and plan a wedding that is uniquely their own, traditional vendor services aren't always the perfect fit for someone's needs. The world of online wedding planning emerged to offer flexibility to those in the throes of their wedding journey. Ellie Durbin explains that online wedding planning "with a professional planner allows couples to either plan on their own with general guidance, or take advantage of planning services that are the best fit for them and may not be available in their area." Lara Mahler, who offers both digital and in-person wedding planning, explains that online planning is an option for those who want "to be in control of their planning but want resources or online support to guide their planning remotely." She emphasizes that an online approach is "definitely more of an alternative approach to planning."

Ellie Durbin adds that virtual planning is a good offering for those looking for partial-planning services that are somewhere between DIY and full planning. "Many traditional planners do not offer partial planning services, whereas online partial planning offers couples a multitude of options that allow them to customize how much help they need for far less than a traditional wedding planner."

Cost for a Virtual Wedding Planner

Typically, the cost for a virtual wedding planner will be lower than the average wedding planner cost that nearlyweds will encounter with traditional in-person pros. In fact, the pricing flexibility is a big reason that many to-be-weds go the virtual route.

Brittany Smith explains that pricing structure is one of the biggest differences between traditional and virtual wedding planners. "Typically, traditional wedding planners offer specific wedding planning packages with a set of tasks and a holistic price tag," she explains. "Clients are bound to pay for the entire package they selected before the wedding is complete." On the flip side, Smith notes that most online wedding planning models offer services based on a couples needs via a subscription model. "Couples can cancel their online virtual wedding planning subscription at any time once they feel confident in their planning progress."

Mahler has seen some couples feel discouraged when they're overwhelmed by the planning process yet they don't have the budget for a full-service planner. That's why she likes the "'mix and match' approach to wedding planning" that digital services offer. Like Smith described, Mahler's clients are able to subscribe to her services at a monthly fee and have access to different tools depending their needs.

Why You Should Hire a Virtual Wedding Planner

Why hire a wedding planner, virtual or traditional? "Almost every couple could use some level of professional planning," says Durbin. However, while everyone can benefit from some level of planning help, what that looks like varies from event to event.

"The biggest benefits to planning a wedding using online wedding planning tools are the low costs of online guides or services, and the flexibility for couples to work on wedding plans on their schedule," adds Durbin.

For couples who want a very hands-on experience, traditional in-person planning might be the way to go. This is good for those "seeking more face-to-face interaction, traditional wedding planners provide extensive in-person support throughout the wedding planning process," says Smith. "They are typically present for vendor meetings and on the wedding day."

Online Wedding Planners to Know

Now that you know the ins and outs of what virtual wedding planners do, it's time to find the best pro for your celebration. Here are some notable online wedding planners to consider for your wedding.

The Privilege is Mine Online

Lara Mahler, owner of The Privilege is Mine Online, explains that she built this tool "to build community and give access to reputable and quality support from a wedding planner who is active in the industry. The benefit to our online support is that you are still working with a wedding planning company, you have access to our resources, process and expertise either through downloadable resources, through video tutorials, discussion boards and (depending on the package you opt for), through zoom calls."

She goes on to admit that she doesn't "I don't love how much time I spend on my phone and computer and don't want to contribute to spending more time on them...However, the reality is that during wedding planning we look for inspo and seek advice through apps and resources through our phone and computer. If I could offer safe support, discussion boards, chats, resources and can have access to reputable planning/ support through our team, I see our online option as a great solution for those looking for alternative support."

• Offerings: Mahler has in-person add-on options for couples local to NYC and Toronto.

The Venlist

Brittany Smith of The Venlist is based in Alexandria, Virginia, but offers fully digital wedding planning for engaged folks. This notable Black-owned wedding business was previously recognized in The Knot Best of Weddings Awards. The Venlist boasts their ability to "stretching budgets, saving sanity and serving couples" because couples "need flexible wedding planning that adapts to your evolving needs, aligns with your busy lifestyle, and belongs right here, in the 21st century."

• Offerings: The Venlist offers four tiers of monthly subscription services based on scope and needs. Additionally, The Venlist sells downloadable template guides and checklists. She also has expertise in the Bermuda wedding market and offers all-inclusive planning services for couples looking there for their wedding.

The Aisle Assistant

According to owner Ellie Durbin, The Aisle Assistant is "for the happy, but busy, couple who needs a pro to lean on when the planning gets tough." The Aisle Assistant is a digital partial-planning solution for nearlweds. Durbin is based in Memphis, Tennessee, but assists couples all over the US due to the virtual nature of her business. However, if couples want a bit more hands-on help, she is available to meet face-to-face in Memphis. Additionally, to-be-weds can add on wedding management and full-service planning services if their scope necessitates it.

• Offerings: There are eight unique options for couples, ranging from venue research help to hourly planning assistance. The Aisle Assistant even has a quiz you can take to identify the best service offering based on your individual needs. The company also has a free budget template available to kick-start planning.

Your Wedding Virtual Assistant

Your Wedding Virtual Assistant is a Black-owned wedding business committed to helping couples save time and money while planning. According to one reviewer, they were initially "hesitant at first to hire a virtual wedding planner from out of town, but honestly, I don't know what I would have done without Tev of Your Wedding Virtual Assistant. She found great vendors for our wedding, guided me through every part of planning, and was there for me to take on stuff I didn't have time to do."

• Offerings: Nearlyweds can tap this company to help vet vendors, manage registries and even track RSVPs. In addition to wedding planning assistance, nearlyweds can also book prewedding packages to help with events like bach parties and wedding showers.

Elle Kay Events

Elle Kay Events is an experienced Asian- and Black-owned wedding planning business. Owned La Toya Keys is based in Chicago and offers both virtual and traditional wedding planning services based on what couples need. She is especially well-versed in microweddings and says that "no wedding is too small or too large. We are here to help you plan, organize and execute your special day." One reviewer shares that "La Toya and her team are professional and provide exceptional services. My wedding planning experience was enjoyable because of La Toya."

• Offerings: Elle Kay Events offers full-service wedding planning, virtual consulting known as "Wedding Planning 101" and event wedding management that focuses more on logistics than planning.

The Wedding Duo

The Wedding Duo is owned and operated by Serena and Dominic, a husband-and-wife team that boast over 15 years of experience in the wedding industry. They have three tiers of traditional wedding packages in addition to virtual consulting offerings for couples who are taking a more DIY approach to their wedding. Nearlyweds can choose from three virtual packages depending on how many 45-minute planning consultations they'd like to book.

• Offerings: The Wedding Duo provides both traditional and online wedding services, with three packages for each style ensuring there is a customized option for everyone. In addition to planning, the company offers DJ services. They even have free downloadable templates for those who want additional resources.

Other Vendors and Tools to Use While Virtually Planning

Working with a virtual wedding planner is just one wedding planning resource you can utilize throughout your journey. Other vendors, from a venue and caterer to a photographer and florist, still need to be booked as well. Consult this wedding vendor checklist to see who you need to book before heading over to The Knot Vendor Marketplace to review potential candidates. Additionally, tools like a budget planner and wedding planning apps are digital resources you can add to your toolkit for a holistic, thorough approach to planning. With many tools easily accessible at your finger tips, planning the perfect wedding is just a few clicks away.