Recently, I sat down with a newly engaged couple to discuss their upcoming wedding day. As an event planner, it’s important for me to understand their vision. As I started going through my questions, I noticed a few questions my couple asked me that had me puzzled…
Many clients always say we don’t need a wedding day coordinator because our venue offers that service…venue coordinators vs wedding day coordinator. What’s the difference….isn’t it the same thing?! I’ve been on both sides of the fence….coordiantors who work for the venue only represent the venue, they don’t represent you with all your vendors.
Venue coordinators do not actually coordinate weddings, they gather all your logistics regarding the venue and prevent any rule breaking. Venue coordinators generally don’t answer all the miscellaneous questions that pop up throughout the day like…
- What time will the makeup artist arrive?
- When and where will the flowers be delivered?
- Where should the families go for pictures? And what time should they arrive? Who coordinates the photos?
- When and where will the other wedding vendors eat?
- Who’s going to cut the cake after the bride and groom take the first slice?
- When should the DJ start?
- Who will pay all of our vendors?
- I can tell you right now that when you hire Tra Di Noi as you wedding day planners/event planner we work for you, not for the venue.
I have been on the venue’s side to know what venue coordinators….their job is to make sure that the food, table setup, that your specialty meals have been ordered properly…PERIOD…a wedding day coordinator hired by, represents you on wedding day…we oversee all the logistics of the day…we run the entire show for you, so that you can be a “guest at your own event!
It is important to hire the right coordinator who will get along with all your vendors but, still be strong enough to direct them throughout the day.
And feel free to ask them any of the questions mentioned earlier, as well. Anything really important to you — ask them!
When choosing your coordinator they need to understand your vision so that on event day they can direct with independently….so that you can “be a guest at your own event.”
Cheers!
