As couples dive into the wedding planning process, it is likely that the first vendor that they are going to book is their venue, and with the venue often comes a venue coordinator. Well, the venue coordinator will take care of your every need leading up to and on your wedding day, right? WRONG. A venue coordinator and a wedding planner take on two different roles and two different job descriptions. Here we will go over what each of these vendors is likely to do leading up to and on your wedding day.
The Venue Coordinator's Role
A venue coordinator or manager is focused on their venue. They are employed by the venue, and their primary job is to protect the venue. They will make sure all of the rules set by the venue are being followed, they might confirm your layout and set up the tables and chairs the morning of the wedding, and if the venue offers catering, they will be sure that the food and beverages are served on time and to the highest quality. Although a venue coordinator most definitely cares that your day runs smoothly, they are not going to be by your side on your wedding day to actually ensure that happens.
The Wedding Planner's Role
A wedding planner is focused on your wedding day running smoothly. Most planners offer many different packages including full wedding planning all the way down to day-of coordination. Here at Knees Up Events, we offer a wedding management package, which is glorified day-of coordination, offering much more attention and support leading up to your wedding day.
If you're looking to hire a wedding planner for full planning services, you can expect A LOT of the "dirty work" to be taken off of your plate. A full planner will work with you to understand your budget, style, and preferences and use them to recommend and book vendors. They will communicate with you throughout the entire planning process while booking your vendors, creating design concepts, reviewing vendor contracts, answering any questions you might have, and so much more.
If you're looking to hire a day-of coordinator, or in our case a wedding manager, you can expect the planner to put together timelines and floorplans, point vendors in the right direction on the wedding day, make sure everything is set up and broken down properly, ensure all important people are in place and on time for important events throughout the day, and basically be the couple's personal assistant.
Overall...
Overall, both a venue coordinator and a wedding planner are wonderful to have on your wedding day. When they work together, your wedding weekend will be so much easier on you, your family, and all of your guests.
Did you hire a wedding planner/coordinator? How involved was your venue coordinator at your wedding? Let me know in the comments below!