Venue Coordinator Vs. Wedding Planner

A lot of people think that the roles of a Wedding Planner and a Venue Coordinator are the same but, that is just not true. A wedding planner offers so much more than what a venue coordinator’s duties consist of.

One major misconception is that your venue coordinator works for you and will advocate for you, this is actually quite the opposite – Your venue coordinator works for the venue and will only advocate for the venue and its employees.

Below are lists of what a Venue Coordinator vs. a Wedding Planner will provide for you.

A Wedding planner will help with:

• Research ceremony & reception sites

• Budget development and analysis

• Creation of your theme, colors, design and décor

• Recommend reliable preferred vendors

• Negotiate contracts

• Assist with selecting and booking all vendors

• Create floorplans and layouts

• Seating chart development

• Vendor payment schedule

• Wedding checklists

• Marriage license information

• Expense tracking and notification

• Assistance with hotel accommodations

• Confirm Details and arrival/departure time of all vendors

• Set up DIY centerpieces and wedding décor

• Set up Sweetheart table and Cake table decor

• Distribute final timeline and itinerary to all vendors

• Assert that marriage license is signed by officiate

• Gather all gifts and keepsakes for couple

• ​Development of Wedding Day Timeline

• Assistance with ceremony Rehearsal

• On-Site Supervision of Ceremony Site Setup

• On-Site Supervision of Reception Site Setup

• Ensure all items necessary for your event are in place (toasting glasses, guest book, etc.)

• Coordination of Ceremony and Reception

• Cue services for the ceremony (e.g., musicians, bridal party, etc.)

• Cue services for the reception (grand entrance, dances, and toasts etc.)

• Distribute final payments and Gratuity to vendor and service providers

• Act as a liaison between the bride and her wedding vendors

• Wedding day emergency kit

A Venue Coordinator will help with:

• Touring the venue

• Provide a vendor list

• Finalize your catering needs

• Process your final invoice with the venue only

• Food & Beverage selections from the venue only

• Oversee the ceremony and reception set up of venue employees only – not outside vendors

• Ensuring that all venue employees are aware of the details of your wedding

• Manage venue Staff services

Big difference right? I hope this enlightened you and will be useful when someone tells you that you don't need a wedding planner or a day of coordinator for your dream wedding and that the venue will take care of everything :)

Happy Planning - EE

Renee Wilson, CWP

www.enchantingengagement.com