Because your destination wedding planner will be local to the area where you are having your wedding, she will have an insider's view on the best vendors for every aspect of your event. She will be able to present to you a sample from everyone you will contract with for your wedding including the photographer, florist, baker, and caterer. She will able to put you in touch with a variety of people who can officiate your wedding.
Your wedding event planner will interview the vendors you express an interest in and hire the best ones. If you choose to bring in your own professionals, it will be your wedding planner's responsibility to hire a strong support staff.
Unless you are lucky enough to be able to take two trips to your wedding destination, your wedding planner will also visit churches, hotels, and reception halls on your behalf. Ideally, she will be able to take digital photos and email them to you as well as any promotional materials. It is her responsibility to meet your requests. If you like, once the vendors and locations are secured, you can call and confirm them just to be sure that nothing has been overlooked.
Your wedding planner's job is not done once you arrive. She will be there with you every step of the way to make sure that everything goes according to plan. It is her job to make sure that the baker is paid, the caterer shows up on time and to arrange for back-up staff should someone unexpectedly not show up. She will care for your guests, making sure that their hotel rooms are secured, that they have transportation to and from the airport and that entertainment is at their fingertips before and after the wedding.
During the wedding, your wedding planner will be hovering in the background making sure that everything runs smoothly. She will cue musicians and caterers. She will make sure that the guests are happy. If you need anything, she will make it happen. If anything needs attention, she will take care of it so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.
After the wedding, the wedding planner will make sure that all the vendors are paid. She will make sure that none of your gifts and mementos is left behind, and you will have her number in case of an emergency or to make recommendations. Expect to spend about 10% of the total cost of the wedding on a wedding planner's services, and get ready to be wed in style!