What’s the difference between event designers, planners, coordinators & venue managers?

There’s a lot of wedding terminology out there. And one of the biggest questions couples have is what’s the difference between event designers, planners, coordinators and venue managers? Who’s in charge of what? And how do they work together? Confused? Then read on to get the answers to these questions and more.

What’s the difference between event designers, planners, coordinators & venue managers?

Planning a wedding can be time consuming. The odds are you and your significant other have never planned an occasion of this magnitude. Why take on all the responsibilities? There are event professionals who focus on certain aspects of your wedding, ensuring your vision is fulfilled and your day runs smoothly.

Event designers, wedding planners, day-of coordinators, and venue managers all have their roles. Sometimes those roles can overlap. Here are the responsibilities and skills each type of event professional brings to the table.

Specific, but sometimes blended, talents

While each event professional has a skill set, there will be overlap. Event planners often expand into design services. And planners provide important day-of coordination, whether they personally oversee your wedding or use a lead coordinator to handle the event. And venue managers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to planning and excuting a wide variety of wedding styles, themes, and tastes.

Event designers create the wedding vision

Weddings are a wonderful way to express your unique sense of style. And each element needs to work harmoniously. Think of an event designer as your “creative visionary”.

An event designer works with you on the overall look and theme of your wedding, focusing on aesthetics like color schemes, decor, event staging and floral installations. They collaborate with other professionals, like floral designers, lighting specialists, and specialty rental companies to bring everything together.

Your event designer should be creative, have a focus on the details, and understand how to blend fresh decor trends into your wedding theme. Looking at an event designer’s portfolio of work will give you a sense of their style and creativity.

Wedding planners manage all the logistics

Planning a wedding can feel like another full-time job. And even getting a start can seem overwhelming. This is where an event planner who specializes in weddings saves the day – and your sanity.

An event planner works with you on the overall vision of your wedding, but the emphasis is on selecting the right vendors, keeping your budget on track, and overseeing your planning and day-of timelines. Event planners also provide day-of coordination as part of their services.

These wedding pros offer full service planning, from start to finish. And if you have some of the big planning items covered, but you’re getting stuck, a partial planning service may be the key.

If you’re considering a wedding planner, look for someone with excellent organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and a talent for clear communication and multi-tasking. And an experienced event planner will have vendor connections which can result in savings for you.

Leave all the stress behind with day-of coordination

The title “day-of coordinator” is really something of a misnomer. These wedding professionals come in for the home stretch of planning and all the last minute details. And when it comes to the big day, you have someone by your side guiding you and the wedding party, handling any emergencies, and making sure your wedding runs smoothly. 

A day-of coordinator oversees your wedding timeline, from getting ready to leaving the reception. This pro coordinates with your wedding vendors so everyone is on the same page. A ceremony rehearsal is often part of the package. And your coordinator will assist with lining up your wedding party for your ceremony and reception entrance. Coordinators are also responsible for personal decor setup and breakdown, making sure the right member of the wedding party has all of these items, along with gifts and cards, at  the end of the evening. 

Quick decision-making skills and a calm demeanor are crucial for a day-of coordinator, along with a mindset of always being prepared – from adding zip ties to arch decor to sewing on a groom’s button at the last minute. And your coordinator should also be a team player, working in tandem with your venue manager, DJ, and photographer.

An event pro with many roles – your venue manager

One of the first people you’ll meet in the wedding planning process is your venue manager. You’ll work together to plan the layout of your event space and a suggested timeline for your reception. And on wedding day, your manager is there to oversee the venue’s responsibilities, like staffing, and making sure venue policies are followed.

However, a venue manager does more than just make sure your room is set up for the big reveal. This is also the pro, along with the food & beverage manager, who makes sure everything runs smoothly for your cocktail hour and dinner service. 

More roles for your venue manager

Your venue manager needs to be a proactive team player and work seamlessly with your day-of coordinator, DJ, and photographer to keep your wedding on time and beautifully flowing. And in the absence of a coordinator, be willing to assist with some additional responsibilities like decor setup. 

And remember, seasoned venue managers have seen lots of weddings. They’ve worked with the top vendors and have established good working relationships. Utilize those vendor recommendations for a seamless wedding day.

The Millennium Center wedding planning experience

Experienced venue management is a hallmark of weddings at our Winston-Salem venue. For starters, Millennium’s Owner Greg Carlyle has hosted over 1000 weddings! Working closely with Greg is Mary Wyland, Director of Event Planning, Management & Production. These two savvy event professionals are supported by a first-class serving staff and a 5-star kitchen.

At Millennium Center, we fill many wedding planning roles. We’re happy to give trusted vendor referrals, like an event planner. Millennium offers decor options to help complete your wedding design vision. And when it comes to your wedding reception, you have someone who works as part of a team and runs point, keeping you on time and having fun!

Working together is the key

Although there’s some occupational overlap, each event professional has a unique focus and responsibilities. The event designer brings the creative vision to life, while the planner orchestrates the entire process. The coordinator ensures smooth execution, and the venue manager makes sure the staff supports the event perfectly. Whatever the combnation, by working together, these professionals create memorable weddings.

Whether you’re planning your wedding, using the services of a day-of coordinator, or just getting started with your event designer or planner, we’re ready to serve you. Explore our spaces, discover your menu options, and plan your wedding with ease at Millennium Center.