Planner vs Day Coordinator

Yesterday I visited a client, it was the initial meeting and when I came away from this appointment I realized how it important it was to ensure the client felt comfortable not only with my personality but had a confidence factor that I would and could fulfil the services they required.

It was a role of Wedding Day Coordinator for a fairly large wedding and the client asked what will you do for us?  They had organized the venue, the menu selections, the photographers, D.J., entertainment and all the numerous other items required to make the day happen.

I explained to them that there was definitely a difference between a Wedding Planner and Wedding Day Coordinator.

Wedding Planner:

Starts the process of planning the event at the beginning of conception, assists in researching, negotiating, organizing and suggesting all the different components required.  They can take their couples vision and make it happen and then during the day of the wedding if required be on hand to ensure all the smallest details are perfect.   

Wedding Day Coordinator:

Collects all the various components required for the wedding and if possible speaks, pre-wedding date, to all the vendors to ensure everything is on track.  During the actual day the Coordinator ensure everything comes to fruition and accomplishes a stressful day for all the family and friends in a smooth and seamless manner

For me personally the Wedding Day Coordinator's role is more intense than a Wedding Planner - why do I say that?  A Wedding Planner has built up relationships over the duration of concept time to the date of the wedding and knows the nuances and idiosyncrasy of everyone involved. 

I would equate a Wedding Day Coordinator role to that of a well trained runner, they have to be on the block ready to run when the starters fires the pistol but they had not been able to train for the run.

Any type of Day Coordinators need to have an ability to see the whole picture fast and efficiently, the expertise to pull together timelines and information with ease, illustrating these facets to the client.

Both Event Planners and Day Coordinators have a place within the world of event management but it how we PEP's portray these types of roles that definitely will make the difference in a clients eyes.