This or that: On-the-day Wedding Planner or Stylist?

An on-the-day wedding planner or stylist is not interchangeable – but how do you know which one you truly need? South African experience designer Hannes Maritz of Kraak, fueled by nature’s imperfections and known for his forensic, forward vision and fearless execution, believes the answer lies in treating these roles as two distinct energies.

Header Image: Kraak

A long table in the Tunisian desert is draped in raw linen, lined with terracotta vessels and twisted candles, echoing the ancient ritual of communal dining under open skies. In another field, a sculptural installation of white tents forms the shape of a five – a number that symbolises freedom, curiosity and the impulse to explore. Elsewhere, a mirrored monolith reflects back the golden fields around it, blurring the line between landscape and illusion.

Each of these scenes is its own world – a curated moment in time crafted by South African experience designer Hannes Maritz, founder of Kraak.

The name – Kraak, meaning crack – is a quiet nod to his design philosophy. “A crack is perfect in its imperfect form,” he says. “It’s caused by natural impact – and that’s exactly how I approach every concept.” Raised on a farm in Namibia, his eye was shaped by textures of dust, stone and sun-bleached wood. Today, he builds poetic environments from the same raw materials, choosing landscapes that “speak to the client” and layering them with considered styling and what he calls “design hospitality – something that touches all five senses.”

From modernist glass structures softened with linen to desert tablescapes that speak the language of nostalgia, Hannes transforms landscapes into living poetry. Yet his path wasn’t carved from early ambition. He recalls: “After my studies, I applied for 24 internships. Only one replied – a newly built wedding venue in Wellington. I didn’t grow up knowing there was a wedding industry.” He laughs: “I thought brides planned their own weddings!” That discovery sparked a deep creative drive. “The moment I realised this industry could be my playground, I embraced the journey.”

Now one of the most sought-after event curators in the region, he’s known not only for vision, but for bold execution. “I love the connection we share with clients when we bring a dream to life – especially when it feels impossible,” he says. “Like having a choir perform on a bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe, while all the guests are watching from a luxury train. That’s when design becomes emotion.”

First and foremost, Hannes Maritz is a curator – one with a finely attuned, highly stylistic eye. Beyond the romance of his settings lies a sharp understanding of logistics and structure. “But I’m mostly a creative,” he explains, “so the design comes first – and then the practicality.” Once he steps into a space, the vision arrives instinctively. From there, it’s about making it happen – no matter the constraints. “I never let logistics stand in the way of creative execution,” he says. “I always find a way.”

We ask him to guide us through the perennial question: on the day – planner or stylist?

What’s the Difference?

When it comes to weddings, the terms planner and stylist are often used synonymously – but according to Hannes Maritz, they represent two fundamentally different roles, especially on the day of the event.

A stylist is completely focused on the visual elements – on bringing the concept to life exactly as it was designed. This requires time, space, and the ability to give full attention to detail. Their role is to ensure that the visual story created in concept form is communicated with clarity and depth.

The planner, by contrast, ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes: managing guest flow, timings, and coordinating between vendors. As Hannes puts it, “Someone else has to take care of what the visual elements feel like. Because if the visuals are perfect, but the experience is chaotic, the magic disappears.”

At Kraak, these roles are never combined. The scale of the events demands full focus from every team member. “We work on such a large scale that I simply can’t afford to have team members with divided attention,” he explains. “Each person is a specialist. A stylist mustn’t be distracted by logistics, just like a planner shouldn’t be worrying about candle heights.”

What to Expect from Each Role on the Day

The distinction becomes especially clear in the final hours before guests arrive.

The stylist is still present, quietly refining the visual story – adjusting a floral placement, tweaking the drape of a napkin, checking how the light falls across a table. Their focus is on stillness, detail, and atmosphere, ensuring everything feels just as it was intended. Meanwhile, the planner is already in motion – cueing the music, coordinating the kitchen, managing the timeline, and making sure guests move effortlessly through the space. “When production ends,” says Hannes, “the energy has to shift. The stylist should never formally ‘say goodbye’ – they should just fade out quietly, letting the energy they created carry on.”

Together, these two energies – one meditative, one logistical – ensure the day is both beautiful and brilliantly orchestrated.

When Are Each Most Needed?

Styling typically begins long before the wedding day, often taking the form of a documented visual journey that informs every element of the design. The stylist’s input is essential at this early stage, setting the tone, textures, and visual rhythm of the event. As the day draws closer, the planner becomes more central – translating concept into structure, and guiding the event forward through precise coordination. “The stylist sets the stage,” says Hannes, “and the planner makes sure the story unfolds.”

So, Which Do You Need?

“For me, you need both,” he says. “If you want more than just a wedding – if you want an experience – then you need someone who can design the entire story, visually and emotionally. And then you need specialists who can protect and execute that story from start to finish.” But if you do have to choose, let your priorities guide you. If your focus is on flow, timing, and guest experience, opt for an on-the-day planner. If detail, atmosphere, and visual storytelling matter most, invest in an on-the-day stylist.

View our edit of Wedding Planners in The Lane Directory