Wedding Wednesdays Q&A: What Does a Venue Coordinator Do?

Q: I’m just starting to look at venues and I’m so overwhelmed!  I don’t understand what all this info really means.  Some venues are saying that they require a wedding planner.  Other venues are saying that they require a month of coordinator.  And then other venues are saying they have a venue coordinator for me.  Help!  What is the difference? 

I’m so sorry you’re feeling overwhelmed, but I get it. It’s a lot to take in.  Breathe for me for a moment.  In and out.  Ok, good, so now let’s answer your question (which is a great one by the way).

Every wedding venue will have different requirements, not just with regards to what you’re talking about, but across the board.  I know it can be confusing, so just make sure you ask if you have any questions.  It’s ok not to know this stuff.  Don’t feel bad.  And of course, you can always ask us as well.

Now with regards to these requirements, there will be some venues that require a wedding planner.  When they say a wedding planner, they mean someone to help you plan your wedding from start to finish.

The reason they require you to have a wedding planner is because they want to work with a pro.  In addition, that venue probably has some tricky requirements and rules that they are strict on.  So, having a professional manage the wedding means there won’t be any issues.

(Photo credit: Kate Webber)

Other venues just require you to have a month of coordinator which is a planner who comes in a month before your wedding.  They help you to finalize any details and coordinate your wedding day.

These venues don’t mind working with you during the planning phase but want a pro for the wedding day.  They don’t want to handle anything but the venue on the wedding day and they want it to go smoothly.  So, they require you to hire someone to take care of that for you.

(Photo credit: What a Day! Photography)

Then you’ll come across wedding venues who have a venue coordinator.  Now the important thing you need to know is that your venue coordinator is not your wedding planner.  They are also not your month of coordinator.

It’s not the same thing.  

Your venue coordinator will be helping you to plan your wedding and can give you recommendations.  But, they aren’t your planner.  They aren’t going to plan your wedding for you or take care of everything for you on the wedding day.

While a venue coordinator wants your wedding to go well and they’ll help you where they can, in the end, their focus is on the venue.  They are a venue coordinator thus, their main focus is always going to be the venue.

Now, that doesn’t mean they don’t care about you or your wedding.  It doesn’t mean that they won’t help.  Or that they won’t try to make your wedding day amazing.  It just means that their focus and concern is first and foremost the venue.

(Photo credit: Sabine Scherer Photography)

So, what does this mean for you?

It just means that depending on the wedding venue you choose, you may need to hire a planner of some sort.  Now, of course, I’d recommend you hire a wedding planner no matter what because it will just make your life easier.  But, it has to make sense for you.

So, if you don’t have a budget for a full-time planner or a month of coordinator you may want to consider a venue that doesn’t require either.

Are you planning your wedding and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not quite sure what you should be doing or if what you’re doing is right. Does this sound familiar? We understand and we want to help make wedding planning easier and happier.

Start planning here and become a Passport to Joy member today!

So you can enjoy your engagement and also keep all your hair.