One of the most common questions we get asked is, “My venue has a coordinator, so why would I need a wedding planner?”

Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of excitement, but it also comes with plenty of moving parts. While both a venue coordinator and a wedding planner play key roles in making your day run smoothly, their responsibilities differ, and understanding this can make all the difference in creating a seamless, stress-free experience.

What Does a Venue Coordinator Do?

A venue coordinator works for the venue to ensure that all things venue-related go off without a hitch. They’re there to manage the logistics of the space—whether that’s overseeing the catering staff, handling venue-specific setups like tables, chairs, and lighting, or making sure the timeline at the venue runs smoothly.

They’re invaluable when it comes to handling everything tied to the venue, but that’s where their focus lies. They won’t be helping you with overall wedding design, choosing vendors, or coordinating anything outside of their venue.

The Wedding Planner Difference

Enter the wedding planner—your go-to person for everything from the first conversation to the last guest leaving the reception. A planner is there for you through every step of the journey, offering guidance, managing vendors, overseeing your vision, and ensuring the entire day (and planning process) runs like a well-oiled machine.

Here’s where a wedding planner really shines:

1. Vendor Management: We’ll help you find the perfect vendors, negotiate contracts, and make sure everyone is on the same page—working toward the same vision.
2. Logistics & Timeline: We create a master timeline and keep everything on track, making sure every detail—from the first look to the last dance—is perfectly timed and flows smoothly.
3. Problem Solving: Let’s face it, things happen. But you likely won’t even know about them because we’re there to fix any hiccups before they become a thing.
4. Design & Vision: We work hand-in-hand with you to bring your dream wedding to life, making sure every element reflects your style, from color palettes to floral arrangements and everything in between.

The Planner as Your Advocate

What really sets a planner apart? We are your advocate, ensuring your needs and vision are at the forefront every step of the way. While a venue coordinator is essential for the venue-specific details, their role stops there. A wedding planner takes the reins to ensure that every piece of your wedding puzzle fits together perfectly, so you can focus on enjoying your day.

Why Both Matter

At the end of the day, both a venue coordinator and a wedding planner are important, but they serve different roles. While the venue coordinator is there to execute the details of the venue, a wedding planner is your partner throughout the entire process, managing everything from logistics and vendor selection to troubleshooting and design.

Think of your wedding planner as the one pulling all the strings behind the scenes, ensuring your day is nothing short of magical from start to finish!