There are several key differences between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator, but sometimes it’s not immediately clear from the start of your wedding planning experience. The difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding planner lies in the key responsibilities leading up to the wedding day and during the wedding day. While exact responsibilities will differ depending on the service provider and package chosen, here’s an overview of the main differences between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator.

The Wedding Planning Process

When planning a wedding, wedding planners work hand in hand with couples to ensure the day runs smoothly. This typically includes helping create a comprehensive budget and guiding you in-depth when securing vendors. When choosing wedding vendors, wedding planners will typically attend meetings, review contracts, and ensure details are as planned. 

On the other hand, the venue coordinator may just give you a list of approved or recommended vendors to research on your own. Having a list of potential vendors is helpful, but it will take more leg work to determine if the price point falls within your budget and to check the availability. 

Ultimately, a wedding planner works with couples to execute their unique dream wedding day and provides updates via routine meetings, whereas a venue coordinator offers generic guidance and support as it relates to the venue itself.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, wedding planners represent the wants and needs of the couple. Venue coordinators represent the property and focus their time on the property itself. It’s important to remember that your contract is with the venue and not the venue coordinator, so their main focus is the venue itself rather than you as a couple. There are several key differences between wedding planners and venue coordinators on the wedding day.

The Wedding Ceremony

If included in your service package, wedding planners will attend and direct your off-site wedding ceremony. This also typically includes attending and directing your wedding rehearsal as well! The venue coordinator wouldn’t be responsible for an off-site ceremony. 

The Wedding Reception

The wedding planner ensures that the couple is happy and kept in the loop throughout the day’s events, including the wedding reception. Additionally, wedding planners set out personal items for the couple such as the guest book, special toasting flutes, etc. Plus, they pack it all up at the end of the night with all of the gifts and cards for safekeeping. Throughout the reception, the wedding planner ensures things such as wedding party introductions, toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. stay on track. Having a wedding planner ensures the venue coordinator can focus on the logistical things such as parking, restrooms, power, set up of tables and chairs (if included), house catering and bar, and staffing (if in-house). Venue coordinators will likely stay until dinner is underway, while a wedding planner stays the entirety of the event and through clean up.

All in all, the key difference between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator is their relationship with you, the couple getting married! A wedding planner’s focus is on making sure your wants and needs are met, whereas a venue coordinator is focused on ensuring the venue is well-maintained and well-represented.