Wedding Planner vs. Venue Coordinator: What’s the Difference?

If you’re newly engaged, congrats! 🎉 You’ve probably already started hearing a lot of wedding lingo—two of the most common being wedding planner and venue coordinator. They sound similar, but trust us, they’re not the same thing. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of stress (and last-minute scrambling) as you plan your big day.

Molly from The Planning Touch | Wedding Planner

What a Venue Coordinator Does

A venue coordinator works for the venue. Their main job? To make sure everything tied to the space runs like clockwork. Think of them as the host of the house where you’re throwing the party.

They’ll:

• Handle your contracts, booking, and payments for the venue.

• Manage the setup of things the venue provides (tables, chairs, linens, bar, etc.).

• Coordinate in-house catering or bar staff.

• Make sure the venue’s rules and policies are followed.

  
  

They’re fantastic at making sure the space is ready for you. But their role stops at the venue doors—they won’t be the one cueing your music, wrangling the bridal party, or making sure your shuttle bus shows up.

Wedding Planner Arranges Decor on Tables for Wedding Reception

What a Wedding Planner Does

A wedding planner works for you. Their job is to keep your vision, your budget, and your sanity in check. Depending on the level of service you choose (full planning, partial, or day-of), they might:

• Help you nail down a budget and keep it on track.

• Recommend vendors that fit your vibe (and weed out the ones that don’t).

• Dream up the design and bring all the pretty details together.

• Keep track of contracts, timelines, and deadlines.

• Run your rehearsal.

• Direct the wedding day from start to finish—think lining up the processional, coordinating speeches, keeping the dance floor packed, and troubleshooting anything that pops up.

  
  

Basically, they’re your personal wedding quarterback. While the venue coordinator makes sure the lights are dimmed and the champagne is cold, your planner makes sure you get to sip that champagne without worrying about what’s next.

Why You Might Want Both

Here’s the secret: the two roles actually work really well together. A venue coordinator keeps the venue humming, and a planner makes sure your whole wedding—venue included—flows seamlessly.

Picture this: the DJ’s ready, the flowers are perfect, the venue looks stunning…and you’re not the one running around making sure of it. That’s the magic of having both a venue coordinator and a wedding planner on your team.

Sarah, wedding planner at Good Neighbor Events

The Bottom Line

Here’s the easiest way to remember it:

• Venue Coordinator = works for the venue.

• Wedding Planner = works for YOU.

  
  

If you want your wedding to feel smooth, stress-free, and truly yours, a planner is worth every penny. And when paired with a great venue coordinator, you’ve got the ultimate dream team behind the scenes making your day unforgettable.

Not sure where to start looking for wedding planners? Check out our Directory, where we highlight some of our favs.