We hear it all the time: “My venue comes with a planner. I don’t need to hire anyone else.” It’s an understandable thought—when you’re juggling a team of vendors, it feels logical to keep things simple. But skipping out on hiring a personal wedding planner because your venue offers a coordinator can lead to unnecessary stress and missed opportunities for a truly seamless wedding experience.

Let’s be clear: this is not about discrediting venue coordinators. Venue coordinators are incredible at what they do—and we planners absolutely love working with them. They are invaluable partners who help us navigate the rules, logistics, and guidelines specific to the venue. Their systems, processes, and relationships with trusted vendors are invaluable. A venue with a coordinator is, in many ways, a dream come true for planners and couples alike.

However, while venue coordinators are great at managing the venue’s needs, their role is inherently different from that of a wedding planner. Here’s why hiring a dedicated wedding planner is one of the best decisions you can make for your big day.

The Key Difference: Who They Work For

Wedding planners work exclusively for you. Our sole responsibility is to advocate for your vision, priorities, and needs. From the moment you hire us, we become your chief of staff and go-to resource. Every question, every decision, and every detail runs through us so that you’re not bogged down by the nitty-gritty wedding logistics.

Venue coordinators, on the other hand, work for the venue. Their primary goal is to ensure the venue’s rules, guidelines, and standards are adhered to. While they’re instrumental in helping with venue-specific logistics, their focus is on the venue, not the entirety of your wedding experience.

What a Wedding Planner Does That a Venue Coordinator Can’t

Here are just a few of the many ways a wedding planner goes above and beyond what a venue coordinator typically handles:

1. Managing Every Detail:
   • Your wedding planner oversees all the small but critical details—things like helping you review your rental budget, finding the perfect seamstress, and brainstorming the verbiage for your wedding website.
   • We also help navigate tricky topics, such as managing complicated family dynamics or rearranging your timeline to accommodate unexpected changes.
2. Vendor Management:
   • While venue coordinators often recommend some vendors, a wedding planner helps you vet, select, and manage all your vendors. We’re the ones who negotiate contracts, ensure deliverables align with your vision, and keep everyone on track.
   • Planners are also helping you keep up with vendor deadlines and requests so you don’t have to remember exactly when your shot list is due or the final headcount for catering.
3. Simplifying Communication:
   • Instead of juggling emails and calls with multiple vendors, you’ll communicate directly with your wedding planner. We’ll handle the back-and-forth, troubleshoot issues, and make sure everyone is aligned.
   • For example, if Grandma decides she’s no longer about to attend the wedding, no problem! Your wedding planner will update the floral order and make any necessary adjustments to seating arrangements with rentals, catering, and the venue.
4. Personalized Support:
   • Wedding planners are here for all your questions—even the ones you might not think to ask a venue coordinator. Need help finding a rehearsal dinner venue? Want advice on switching from gold Chiavari chairs to a trendier option? We’ve got you covered.
   • Most wedding planners only take on a select number of events at a time to ensure we’re at our best mentally. We want to remember exactly everything you said you like and hate about weddings so we can help you craft the most unforgettable and unique event you’ve ever attended!
5. The Big Day:
   • On your wedding day, a planner ensures every piece of your event—not just the venue setup—runs smoothly. From pinning boutonnières to managing last-minute changes, we’re by your side making sure everything is exactly how you envisioned it. 
   • In short, a wedding planner becomes your right hand, ensuring every element of your wedding aligns perfectly with your vision and priorities.

The Best of Both Worlds

The ideal scenario? Book a venue with a dedicated coordinator and hire a wedding planner. The coordinator keeps everything on track at the venue, while your planner ensures every other aspect of your wedding—from the first vendor booking to the final sparkler exit—is flawlessly executed. Together, we form a powerhouse team that ensures your wedding day is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

Before you decide to forego hiring a planner, take a moment to think about what’s most important to you on your wedding day. Do you want someone who works solely for you? Someone who can streamline communication, manage details big and small, and advocate for your vision every step of the way? If the answer is yes, then hiring a wedding planner is one of the best investments you can make.

Still not sure? Do a quick online search. You’ll find countless blog posts from venues, planners, and other wedding professionals who agree: the combination of a venue coordinator and a wedding planner is the gold standard for a truly seamless wedding experience.

Ready to start planning? Let’s chat about how we can bring your vision to life.