Should You Include a "Wedding Day Coordinator"?
by Kristin Binford - Successful Venue Owner and Secret Sharer
Wedding Day Coordinators & Venue Managers
Is there a difference?
My short answer is yes. Now the question is, will your venue include either?
The Rub
If you have owned a venue for a while, you've probably heard wedding planners’ frustration about "venue coordinators." Venues often include a "coordinator," but often the duties their coordinator fulfills, and the duties a real wedding coordinator fulfills are different.
This leaves brides and grooms confused about the value of a wedding planner or wedding coordinator, versus a venue manager or venue coordinator.
Wedding Coordinators
Day-of wedding coordinators often begin working with a couple one to three months in advance of a wedding date. Although their services do vary of course they are often:
Proactively reaching out to the couples chosen vendors about important details
Helping the couple craft a detailed wedding day timeline (that actually works!)
Assisting in seating chart planning
Running the show when it comes to rehearsal and ceremony, etc.
Venue Managers
Venue managers or venue coordinators (although often confused with wedding coordinators) are often involved with the couple throughout the planning process, but often just in the capacity of answering questions. Often venue managers or coordinators are:
Ensuring the venue is meeting the expectations of the client
Greeting vendors as they arrive
May or may not assist in keeping the client-developed schedule for the day on track
Handling questions and concerns as they come up the day of the wedding, etc.
As you can see, there is a gap in responsibilities and potential confusion from your couples.
That gap leaves venue owners open to couples (and their families) assuming your venue manager or coordinator will assume the responsibilities of a "wedding coordinator".
The first question to ask yourself is should I include either of these services in my venue pricing? (The answer does not have to be yes.) If you do, make sure you can deliver on the promise every time.
The second is do you yourself have the skill set to provide these services or do you need help? If you are new to the world of wedding planning, there is likely much to learn and you are potentially setting yourself up for issues.
To learn how I've solved that problem in my own business and created a roadmap for new wedding venue owners to become successful (and learn insider secrets) faster check out the link below to be notified when my 8 week training plan launches.