Difference: Wedding Coordinator v. Venue Manager

YOUR VENUE MANAGER IS NOT YOUR WEDDING COORDINATOR

I want to start by saying…I love venue managers – we work together. They do a great job of taking care of event details that pertain to their venue/property. The venue/property they work for is their priority. They do their job, and as a planner, I do mine, and they are not the same thing.

Brides, you need to know, that your venue manager is NOT your Wedding Coordinator!
(or Planner, or Consultant, pick your favorite title!)

Here are some differences in what you should expect from a Venue Manager and a Wedding Coordinator:

Inventory:
If you are lucky a Venue Manager might let you drop off your inventory supply a couple of days (no more than 2) before your wedding.

A Wedding Coordinator will also take your inventory from you. We will make sure that your place cards are displayed and all decor is in the proper place. We will also keep a copy of your guest list so that if someone can’t find their name, or shows up without having sent a response, we can place them at an appropriate table. A Wedding Coordinator will be sure that each piece of inventory is available to you for its intended use. A Wedding Coordinator will also make sure that your inventory is returned to you (or selected friend/family member) before the end of the wedding.

Vendors:
A venue manager will most likely speak to the other vendors you have hired to provide them with load-in and load-out instructions. They will make sure that the vendors follow the policies and procedures of the property.

Your Wedding Coordinator will coordinate the arrival and set-up of each vendor that will make sense for your overall timeline. She will review their contracts, and any special instructions you have for them. A Wedding Coordinator will serve as a central point of contact for all vendors, and will step in to prevent a problem.

Guests

The Venue Manager does not communicate with guests. Instead, the venue manager brings up any issues/concerns to the wedding coordinator. If there isn’t a wedding coordinator, then guess what, the venue manager is going to have to interrupt you or your family during the wedding if anything comes up.

Your Wedding Coordinator will be the liaison between the Venue Manager and you/your guests. If a guest is breaking a venue rule, then your coordinator will take care of the issue with your best interest in mind. If a guests arrives to the wedding but didn’t RSVP and they can’t find a place to sit, the Wedding Coordinator will rearrange seats and make sure the guest is accommodated.

In the end a Venue Manager’s job is to represent their property. They will provide you excellent service, in the scope of their property. A Wedding Coordinator’s job is to take away stress from the Bride and Groom, to make sure that your event is executed above and beyond your expectations, to bring your vision to reality.

Think you don’t need a wedding planner? We do. To see why, click here.