My venue provides a coordinator. Why do I need to hire a wedding planner?

Venue coordinators and wedding planners both play critical roles in creating a successful event, but their responsibilities and focus areas differ significantly.

A coordinator provided by your venue typically handles all the logistics directly related to the venue. It is their job to make sure the venue delivers everything they have contracted with you. This might include ensuring the venue is set up according to the contract, coordinating with their internal staff, overseeing food and beverage services, and ensuring the venue’s rules and regulations are followed. Their role is integral to ensure that the venue operates smoothly on the day of the event. However it is important to understand that they generally do not handle most of the pre-wedding planning such as confirming or managing your vendors, helping with your ceremony details, running your rehearsal, creating a comprehensive wedding day timeline, or setting up your décor.

On the other hand, a wedding planner’s main objective is you! Not to mention that a wedding planner’s role is far more comprehensive and personalized. A planner is hired by the couple and is dedicated to ensuring every aspect of the wedding aligns with their vision. From the earliest stages of planning, they assist with budget management, vendor selection, timeline creation, and the overall design and flow of the day. Wedding planners act as the client’s advocate, ensuring that their needs and preferences are prioritized throughout the entire process. They also handle unexpected issues, big or small, that may arise on the wedding day, allowing the couple and their families to relax and fully enjoy the celebration.

In essence, while venue coordinators excel at managing the logistics within their venue, wedding planners oversee the entire event, tying together all the moving pieces to create a seamless and cohesive experience. Both roles are invaluable in their own way, and when working together, they form a strong team that ensures the wedding day is both beautiful and stress-free.