VENUE COORDINATOR VS. DAY OF COORDINATOR
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
If you're in the middle of planning your wedding, you've probably heard the terms venue coordinator and day of coordinator. You may have assumed that these are the same things, but they are NOT. While both roles are incredibly important to ensuring your wedding day goes seamlessly, they serve very different purposes. Here is my breakdown of the differences between venue coordinators and day of coordinators.
WHO DO THEY WORK FOR?
You need to know who is working for you...
VENUE COORDINATOR
A venue coordinator is employed by the venue. Their primary responsibility it to represent the venue and ensure everything operates according to the venue's policies and procedures.
DAY OF COORDINATOR
A day of coordinator is hired by you. Our role is to manage your wedding day from start to finish, keeping your vision, priorities, timeline, and experience at the center of our attention throughout the day.
WHAT TIMELINES DO THEY MANAGE?
You need to know who is managing what is happening and when...
VENUE COORDINATOR
Venue coordinators manage venue specific timing, such as:
When vendors are allowed to arrive and load in
When the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces open
Noise restrictions and curfews
When the event must end, guests must leave, and vendors must leave
DAY OF COORDINATOR
Day of coordinators manage your entire wedding day timeline, including:
Getting ready schedules and bridal party arrival
Vendor arrivals and set up times
Ceremony start time and processional cues
Photography & videography timelines
Reception flow (grand march, toasts, speeches, cake cutting, first dances, etc.)
WHO MANAGES VENDORS?
You need to know who is keeping everyone in line...
VENUE COORDINATOR
Venue coordinators typically manage venue staff or in house vendors only. This may include house catering teams, bartenders, or maintenance staff. They usually do not communicate with or direct your outside vendors.
DAY OF COORDINATOR
Day of coordinators manage all wedding vendors hired by you, including:
Photographer & videographer
Florist
DJ or band
External caterers
Rentals
Etc
We serve as the main point of contact for all of your vendors on your wedding day so you don't have to answer questions or solve any problems.
WHO HANDLES SETUP?
You need to know who is bringing your vision to life...
VENUE COORDINATOR
Venue coordinators oversee venue spaces, venue owned furniture, and venue owned decor.
Set up of room layouts based on venue guidelines
Set up of furniture owned by the venue in the agreed upon layout
Set up of venue owned decor and overseeing of personal decor to ensure it follows venue rules
DAY OF COORDINATOR
Day of coordinators set up all of your personal decor, including:
Signage, table numbers, place cards
Pictures, memorabilia
Card box, guest book, favors
Etc
WHO HANDLES PROBLEMS ON THE WEDDING DAY?
You need to know what will happen if something goes wrong...
VENUE COORDINATOR
Venue coordinators only address venue related issues, such as:
Facility access
Power, lighting, and spacing concerns
Venue staffing issues
In house vendor issues
DAY OF COORDINATOR
Day of coordinators handle anything and everything - usually without the couple ever knowing there was an issue. From late vendors to timeline adjustments, we troubleshoot so you can stay present and stress free on your wedding day.
WHO DO THEY HAVE LOYALTY TO?
You need to know who is in your corner...
VENUE COORDINATOR
The venue.
DAY OF COORDINATOR
You!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Venue coordinators and day of coordinators are both valuable, but they are not interchangeable. A venue coordinator ensures the venue runs smoothly. A day of coordinator ensures your wedding day runs smoothly.
If you want someone fully in your corner - managing logistics, communicating with vendors, solving problems, and allowing you to truly enjoy your wedding day - a day of coordinator makes all the difference.
If you want to learn more about my day of coordination services, contact me today! I can't wait to chat with you!
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