Venue Coordinator vs. Wedding Coordinator

More and more venues are offering coordinators to their couples which is fantastic!  But while both titles are pretty similar, their roles are very different.  It is crucial that you understand the difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator (commonly known as a day-of coordinator) when deciding which is the best option for your wedding day. 

A venue coordinator is assigned by the venue to a couple as a point of contact on the day-of the wedding and is looking out for the best interest of the venue.  While a wedding coordinator is selected by the couple to be the point of contact on their behalf on the day of their wedding to ensure they do not have to deal with the logistics for the day, therefore they look out for your best interest.

Here is a snapshot of what a venue coordinator will handle versus a wedding coordinator:

Venue Coordinator

The venue coordinator is typically the main point of contact for the wedding couple and venue staff.  They will be available to make sure that all venue facilities are functioning properly and also to make sure that no rules are being broken throughout the day.  Also, if your venue provides catering and bar services in-house, your venue coordinator will ensure that they are good to go.
During your site visit and before you sign your contract, be sure to ask what tasks your venue coordinator will and will not perform on your wedding day.  This will ensure that you are clear beforehand because the last thing you want is to go into your wedding day with high hopes that your venue coordinator will perform all the tasks a wedding coordinator would.  That is a recipe for disaster!
Here are a few questions you should ask:

• Will you be present on our wedding day?
  
• Will you create and send us a timeline that breaks down our wedding day?
• Will you be there for our rehearsal?
• Will you set up for our wedding at all? (tables, chairs, possibly décor)
• How long will you be at the venue on our wedding day?
• Will you help us coordinate transportation?
• Will you be in communication with all of our wedding vendors?
• Will you show the vendors where to set up and answer any questions they may have when they arrive?

Wedding Coordinator

Your wedding coordinator works for you, the couple.  Their goal is to ensure you can enjoy every moment of your wedding day rather than worrying about the day’s logistics.  They are the primary point of contact for all of your vendors, take care of your ceremony coordination and rehearsal, set up and tear down your décor, keep the day to the timeline, and so much more!  Having a wedding coordinator is a great addition to your vendor team because they help you take care of all the background details and setup so you, your fiancé, as well as your family and friends, can focus on the big day.
Ask yourself these questions to help you determine if you’d like a wedding coordinator:

• Do you need help with your ceremony rehearsal and coordinating your ceremony?
  
• Do you need help researching, contacting, booking, or communicating with your vendors?
• Do you want your vendors to have a point of contact so they are not asking you questions on the day of or leading up to the wedding?
• Do you need help creating a wedding day timeline?
• Do you need help getting all of your design ideas together to determine your décor?
• Do you need help setting up and tearing down décor?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should look into hiring a wedding coordinator. While each coordinator’s services are different, most will include everything listed above plus much more.

If your venue doesn’t offer a venue coordinator, it’s okay because your wedding coordinator is used to overseeing those tasks, but if you have lucky to have both a venue coordinator and wedding coordinator working on your big day is great because they work hand in hand!  It allows each one to focus on their roles 100% which will ultimately ensure your day runs smoothly.