My Church or Reception Venue Already Has a Coordinator, Do I Need A Planner Too?
Monday, June 20, 2011
Through my own experience as a bride, then an event coordinator and now wedding blogger, I've been asked this question several times - "My venue already has a coordinator, why should I hire a wedding planner?" It's a valid question, one that even I had when I got married. Even my venue coordinator said that her services were limited and she advised I hire my own planner (at the very least a day-of one) so I did and I was glad.
Shoot, don't take it from me! I'll leave you in the capable hands of Sarah WIllard of Music City Events who lends her expert advice today. Take it away Sarah!
ABG adds: Hand assembled favor boxes and decor that Sarah's team created for her bride. Obviously, this level of service goes beyond that of an on-site coordinator. (Image by Music City Events)
Sarah: This seems like a simple enough choice: "My venue has an onsite coordinator so - yay! Now I do not have to hire one. This saves money in my budget! Woohoo!" Simply put, though, it is not that cut and dry {hardly anything ever is}.
So, on the surface, it seems like a venue coordinator can do all the things that a private planner can do. She can accept deliveries. She can tell you where they always place the cake, where they always put the bar and where they always place the dj. Venue coordinators are wonderful, but they are not a private planner.
As a planner, I love having them. They know the building inside and out. They can tell me the best place for load in, the quirks of the service elevator, and how many refrigerators are onsite for the catering company. They know, among other things, where all the extra paper towels are located {it seems silly, but you do not want the restrooms to be paper towel-less at your reception!} and more importantly, if the security alarms go off for some reason or another - they can turn it off!!!
ABG adds: Sarah's brides always have tons of do-it-yourself elements that require time to put together. (Images by Krista Lee Photography)
However {you knew it was coming!}, venue coordinators are not private planners. Their main concern is their building. That is their number one priority. I am not saying that she doesn't wish you the best reception in the world and that she will not help. Far from it, most venue coordinators love talking to brides and seeing their venue all dolled up for your private event. They are sincerely happy for you! But they are there to ensure that the rules are followed, nothing is broken and the building is always up to par throughout the evening. Their focus is on the building. And it should be. That is why they are there.
A private planner, on the other hand, is all about you. 100%. She knows your wedding inside and out. She knows how the cake table is supposed to be set up. She knows that your grandmother's wedding champagne glasses are to be placed at your sweetheart table. She has worked with you for at least one month, if you are only working with her for day-of coordination, or up to and over a year if you have planned together from the beginning. Her main goal is to make your wedding everything you want it to be, and to ensure that all the other vendors are on time and on cue for every event throughout the evening. Your planner has worked with and discussed in depth your wedding with all your vendors that are there. She knows all the minute details and it is her sole job that day to make everything as perfect as possible for you. Proactively!
Images by Myrick Studios
Venue coordinators are wonderful. They love to talk about their building and to give you advice, when appropriate. But they cannot be everywhere at once and they cannot give you their undivided attention. A planner can, and does. And you know what? A good venue coordinator will tell you the same thing. :)
Sarah Willard is the lead planner at Music City Events and has coordinated tons of weddings, large and intimate. For more of her work or to contact Sarah visit her online at http://amusiccityevent.com.
About the Author:
Tabitha
Blogging is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. My interests lie mostly in lifestyle related topics like fashion, style, design, food and weddings. When I heard Ashley was looking to bring on new members to the ABG team, I jumped at the opportunity - I can’t think of a better way to stay involved in weddings than to write about them and to stay in touch with the trends and new ideas. Lucky for me, Ashley likes my blog and trusts my experience to bring me on and so far, it’s been a blast.
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Posted on June 20, 2011 |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Venues and Locations
1 Response to This Post
Posted on June 23, 2011 @ 1:06pm