04/18/2025
**Please READ your venue contracts carefully, especially if you're not hiring an outside Wedding or Event Planner.**
A **Venue Coordinator** and an **independent Wedding/Event Planner** are *not* the same. They have very different roles:
- A **Venue Coordinator** works for the venue. Their main responsibility is to manage the venue’s interests—like making sure the lights are on, the tables are where they’re supposed to be, and the staff follows the venue’s policies.
- A **Wedding/Event Planner**, on the other hand, works for *you*. They manage your timeline, vendors, decor, and overall event flow. They’re your go-to person for everything and help bring your full vision to life.
We recently had someone share their experience with us—a bride and groom were told by their Venue Coordinator that everything was “handled.” Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The coordinator was nowhere to be found when issues arose, and many important details were missed. It was heartbreaking to hear how disappointed they were on what should’ve been one of the happiest days of their lives.
**Moral of the story:** If you're not hiring a separate planner, be extra sure about what the venue coordinator *will* and *won't* do—and get it all in writing. Don't assume they’ll handle everything unless it's clearly outlined in your contract.
