What’s the difference between a wedding planner and coordinator?

I’m sure you have probably wondered what the difference is between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator (especially as I offer both of these services, so there must be a difference, right?). In particular, the difference between a wedding coordinator you employ and one that comes with your venue. Let me break it down for you.

What is a Wedding Planner?

If you employ a wedding planner, it is likely they will work with you from the very start of your planning process, or at least fairly early on if you opt for partial planning. Your planner will know the best suppliers for your wedding and will do all the research and shortlisting for you. They will manage your budget, your timeline, supplier contracts, handle invoices. But they will also be creative and design your day, ensuring it looks sensational. They will then be there on the day/weekend itself and ensure that all the planning is put into action with care. From set-up to pack-up, your wedding planner will be there running the show. This means you get to fully enjoy your day. As a wedding planner, I aim to make the wedding planning process really stress-free for you and come up with ideas you wouldn’t have necessarily thought of yourself. I see challenges and obstacles before they arise and know what will and won’t work on your day.

What is a Wedding Coordinator?

If you decide a wedding planner isn’t for you, then it may be you’re looking for a wedding coordinator (which is an absolute must for a marquee wedding!). A wedding coordinator works with you from about 6-8 weeks before your wedding day. This means you will have done all of the planning yourself and want a professional to ensure all the plans are put into action to create a totally stress-free build up to your wedding. They will liaise with all of the suppliers you have booked to create the timeline for your day. They essentially become the port of call for all your suppliers in the wedding day build up so that you can enjoy the remaining weeks before your wedding. Come your big day, they will be running the show, ensuring all your brilliant plans come together seamlessly. (Note: If you employ a Wedding Planner, they will do all of this as part of their full planning service, anyway!).

What is a Venue Coordinator?

So you might now be thinking ‘okay, but my venue comes with a coordinator, so do I really need to employ another one?’. The easiest way to answer this is: A planner or coordinator that you employ works for you. A venue coordinator works for the venue. A venue coordinator will just oversee the timings on the day. They won’t do any of the leg-work in the build up to your day. They will be ensuring you have a brilliant time, but also that everything is easy for the venue. Whereas, a planner or coordinator that you employ is working solely with you and your guests in mind.

I hope this helps to explain the difference between these three roles. If you think you could benefit from employing a Wedding Planner or Wedding Coordinator, then get in touch today. I’d love to work with you, as I offer both of these services.