“My venue already has a coordinator, so I don’t need to hire a wedding coordinator, right?”
I get asked this question pretty frequently, and understand the confusion behind the question. In fact, before I got married, I asked that very same question. After all, from the job title alone, both jobs play the role of a coordinator, which, one would assume, that they’ll both keep time, and keep the program running. Yes - it is extremely easy to misinterpret their roles. But let me clarify: a venue coordinator is different from a wedding coordinator. Allow me to explain.
A venue coordinator is employed by the venue. They represent the venue you have hired for your wedding. On the day of your wedding, they are the venue’s one-point-of-contact or go-to person. They manage the venue staff, and ensure that the venue delivers items that were agreed upon.
The main role of a venue coordinator is to make sure that from the side of the venue, everything is seamlessly executed so that you, their client, are satisfied with their service.
By contrast, a wedding coordinator is employed by you. They represent you. They are on your side, and will advocate for you. They cater to you - your wants, needs, schedule, guests, and etc.
Unlike the venue coordinator, your wedding coordinator’s role is not limited to tasks related to the venue. Your wedding coordinator is in charge of your whole wedding day. From the start of your day, to the smooth transitions of different programs, to the management of all your vendors, and seeing to your guests, to the timely end of your final program, and more. You are their priority, and they will do whatever it takes to make sure you are relaxed and worry-free on your wedding day.
Here’s an example of what a venue coordinator does versus what a wedding coordinator does:
Your venue coordinator will open their doors to let your decorating vendors in at 7am, and they’ll make sure that the 100 chairs you have requested are arranged neatly in preparation for your ceremony.
Your venue coordinator, however, will not make sure that your florist arrives on time. They will not check whether the bridal bouquet, 5 bridesmaid bouquet, 8 boutonnieres, 2 corsages, and 20 aisle pieces have in fact arrived, and are given to the right people, and in time for the commencement of the ceremony.
The latter example is what a wedding coordinator does.
I’ve had someone very succinctly describe the role of a wedding coordinator to me, when I ran out of simple words to explain their role:
They are your best friend, and the reason why you don’t have to deal with anything on your wedding day.
So yes. Both roles act as coordinators. But they represent different teams.
I hope this blog post has helped clarify the difference between a venue coordinator and wedding coordinator. The last thing I want happening is for you to plan your wedding based on the assumption that they are one and the same, and then realize a week before your wedding that the venue coordinator isn’t what you thought they would be.
If you have any more questions related to this topic (or others) please post them in the comments section below, or feel free to send me a private message. I’m happy to answer them and clarify.
Happy planning!
Warmly,
