Difference between a Wedding Planner and a Venue Coordinator
WONDER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEDDING PLANNER AND A VENUE COORDINATOR?
There is often a lot of confusion surrounding the difference between venue coordinators, catering managers and wedding planners. When couples hear that their venue includes a coordinator or a catering manager, they sometimes think that a third party wedding planner is not needed. While there are some overlaps within our jobs, a lot of responsibilities and priorities differ.
The venue coordinator’s main focus is…
the venue.
A catering manager’s priority is….
the food & beverage.
Your wedding planner’s ONLY mission is… to make sure you enjoy your stress-free day!
The venue coordinator and/or catering manager are a great help when it comes to anything related to your guests’ experience, cooking & serving of the food, or any logistical issues with the venue. However, they have little to no involvement in anything beyond, whether it’s the morning of the wedding during getting ready, at your first look and photo locations, or after your reception ends.
One of the main difference between your wedding planner and other vendors, is how early your wedding planner and their team will arrive on your wedding day. They will be there in the morning while you’re getting your hair and make up done, steaming your bridesmaids dress, gathering your details for your photographer, making sure you’re eating lunch, managing your wedding party or guests transportation, helping with family photos, and so much more before even stepping foot at your venue.
Here are a few examples of what your venue coordinator would do versus your wedding planner:
- While your guests are arriving, your venue coordinator is making sure your greeting station is ready to go, while your wedding planner is double checking on transportation, and getting your wedding party and family ready for the ceremony.
- During cocktail hour, your catering manager is overseeing the staff and making sure the food is displayed properly, while your wedding planner helps bustle your dress, remove your veil and make sure no additional family photos are needed.
- At the end of the evening, your venue coordinator is responsible to clean up the guest tables while your wedding planner will pack up your belongings and bring them directly to your hotel room or wherever you’re staying that night.
SO WHILE VENUE COORDINATORS AND CATERING MANAGERS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR WEDDING DAY, YOU WOULD ABSOLUTELY NEED A WEDDING PLANNER TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO RELAX AND BE ABLE TO BE A GUEST AT YOUR OWN WEDDING!
