Wedding Planner vs. Coordinator vs. Venue Manager: What’s the Difference (and Why You Should Care)
If you’ve started planning your wedding and heard terms like day-of coordinator, venue manager, and wedding planner thrown around like confetti—don’t worry, you’re not the only one confused.
It’s one of the most common questions we get at Amaziling Events, and it’s so important to understand, especially if you’re trying to decide how much help you need (or think you already have it covered).
Let’s break it all down.
Venue Coordinator: Great at the Venue—But Not for Your Entire Wedding
What they do:
Represent the venue’s best interests
Handle logistics related to the venue (timing for access, lights, restrooms, parking)
Manage things like tables, chairs, and possibly bar services (if in-house)
Sometimes provide a basic timeline (usually limited to the venue’s window)
What they don’t do:
Source vendors or review contracts
Set up your personal décor (like signage, photos, or favors)
Stay the entire event (often they leave after dinner is served)
Help with emergencies unrelated to the venue
👉 Translation: They’re amazing at running the building—not the wedding.
Wedding Coordinator (aka Day-of or Month-of): The Execution Queen/King
What they do:
Join your planning in the final 4–8 weeks
Create a detailed timeline for the day
Confirm vendor arrival and setup details
Manage the rehearsal and wedding day logistics
Handle emergencies and be your behind-the-scenes problem solver
What they don’t do:
Help with early-stage planning or vendor booking
Attend venue walkthroughs months in advance
Design your wedding or help source rental/decor pieces
Keep track of your budget or planning tools
👉 At Amaziling Events, we call this “Month-Of Coordination”—but it’s more like “save-your-sanity service.”
Wedding Planner: Your Go-To From Day One
What they do:
Help you build your budget and track spending
Design your wedding style, theme, and vision
Source and negotiate with vendors
Tour venues with you (and handle contracts)
Build your full planning timeline
Provide emotional support (aka, yes, we’ve helped brides handle future in-law stress)
Be your personal assistant and your creative director
What they don’t do:
Show up and wing it. This is a deep, ongoing relationship.
👉 Hiring a planner is like hiring a project manager who lives and breathes weddings. You still call the shots—but they do the heavy lifting.
Do You Need All Three? Here's a Quick Guide:
If you booked a venue with an on-site coordinator:
You’ll still need a wedding planner or at least a day-of/month-of coordinator.
Venue coordinators manage the venue, not the entire event or timeline.
If you hired a full-service wedding planner:
You’re covered! A full planner handles design, logistics, vendor communication, and day-of execution.
No need for a separate coordinator.
If you’re planning it all yourself (DIY-style):
Definitely consider a month-of coordinator.
You’ve done the planning—now let a pro handle the execution so you can actually enjoy your day.
What We Offer at Amaziling Events:
✔ Full-service planning
✔ Month-of coordination
✔ Micro wedding and elopement planning
✔ Backyard or restaurant setups
✔ Luxury picnics for proposals or parties
✔ All with a personalized, approachable style (and a killer timeline spreadsheet)
Whether you want help from day one or just need a calm, capable pro to run the show on your wedding day—we’ve got you.
📩 Ready to figure out what kind of support you really need?
Contact us for a free discovery call.
