At a recent wedding, a guest noticed I was the wedding planner, “I hope I don’t offend you, but can I ask a question?” My motto is, “If you don’t ask, you don’t know, right?” I smiled and said, “Of course, you can. Ask away!” The guest continued and asked, “This may be a dumb question, but what is the difference between a Wedding Planner and a Wedding Coordinator? It’s the same thing, isn’t it?” I chuckled and assured the guest that the question was definitely NOT dumb. In fact, I welcomed the question with open arms because, in reality, not very many people truly know the difference; hence, it was a GREAT question!
My explanation was that a wedding planner's title can vary (i.e. planner, coordinator, director, facilitator, administrator, etc.), depending on how the individual prefers to be addressed. The difference between a couple hiring a planner to assist with their wedding is different from what I like to call “
On-site [venue] Coordinators.” Although our roles have similar titles, we are not one in the same; however, we do collaborate with one another to ensure a successful event for the client.
It may seem as though my insight on this topic may appear biased, but actually, it’s far from. Matter of fact, I adore On-site Coordinators — between the two of us, nothing slips through the cracks. It is ideal to have one point of contact for me to partner with instead of trying to individually locate the banquet manager, bartenders, wait staff, chef, etc.— you get the picture. With the coordinator’s assistance, I can provide the deserving attention to our mutual clients, while they can concentrate on the venue's service and setup.
With that said, it is essential to know
the reality of each role vs. your expectations. So I’m going to keep this simple and address three main differences:
1.
On-Site Coordinators are responsible for their venue. Their partnership and most important concern is ensuring that everything in relation to the venue is complete. The venue pays their salary.
A wedding planner is responsible to YOU. This is a third party that is an advocate and administrator of
all your vendors and wishes.
2.
On-Site Coordinators may have limited vendor referrals. Most of them will have a source of vendors that they prefer to use or have contracted through their facility (i.e. a particular florist that cleans up after themselves, a specific DJ because they already have the compatible equipment to the venue’s system, etc.). While on the other hand,
a wedding planner knows many vendors that can fit into many different budgets and match the client's personalities. It's our job to know FANTASTIC vendors that may not even advertise!
3.
On-Site Coordinators are there only for the reception (or time at their venue). They are not a wedding planner that will cue the DJ to ensure the first song is played accordingly, or attend photographer meetings, or will be there with you when you’re trying on your tenth dress, or have various design ideas and magazines for you to review, or make themselves available to you for 11pm calls with the reassurance that “everything is going to be just fine…”
A wedding planner is there from the planning stages, rehearsal, ceremony and to the reception — executing all of the elaborate details. This is why I say that I’m the first to arrive and the last to leave.Hopefully this has helped you identify the importance of the role of a wedding planner, along with making certain the venue you choose will provide a coordinator as well. Remember: On the day of the special event, the bride should be carrying a bouquet, not a clipboard. So what are we waiting for?
Let’s get planning!!!For further questions, feel free to
send me an e-mail!
