Wedding Planner vs. Event Manager - who does what?

The Wedding Planner role:

When planning a wedding, the roles of a wedding planner and an event manager from the venue might seem similar, but they have distinct responsibilities and approaches. Understanding these differences can help couples make informed decisions about who to hire and how they can ensure their big day runs smoothly.

As a wedding planner our primary role is to guide couples through the entire and full planning process. We help bringing the couple’s vision to life by coordinating all aspects of the wedding, from choosing vendors to finalizing the schedule. Our job involves managing the logistics of the day, overseeing the design, and offering advice on everything from florals to timelines. Wedding planners are often seen as personal consultants, deeply involved in creating a customized experience tailored to the couple’s needs and preferences.

We take the emotional weight of the planning off the couple's shoulders, providing a sense of ease and support. Whether it's negotiating contracts or handling last-minute changes, and be present on the wedding day as a wedding day coordinator from beginning to the end to make sure everything goes as planned. The planner is the couple's point of contact throughout the journey.

The Event Manager role:

On the other hand, an event manager at the venue is primarily responsible for ensuring the seamless execution of the event within the venue itself. Their duties are focused on the logistical side, ensuring that the space is prepared, the staff is organized, and that all services provided by the venue run smoothly.

Event managers work directly with the venue's catering team, setup crew, and other in-house vendors. They ensure that the event adheres to the venue’s rules and policies and that everything is set up on time. However, their involvement is often limited to the venue’s framework—they are not responsible for coordinating external vendors or the wedding’s overall creative direction. They ensure that the space is properly arranged, that all technical needs are met, and that everything stays within the venue’s logistical constraints. They do small decorations which are supplied in the standard arrangement from the location, for personal designs or decorations you need to look for a wedding stylist.

The biggest difference between these two roles lies in the scope of their responsibility. While a wedding planner handles the full spectrum of the wedding experience, creating a cohesive vision from start to finish, the event manager is more focused on the operational details of the day itself. This means that while a wedding planner can take care of everything, from transportation to the coordination of external vendors, the event manager's expertise is limited to managing the space and ensuring the day unfolds according to plan within the venue’s environment.

So let's summarise again:

Wedding Planner

• Specialization: Focuses on weddings.

• Responsibilities: Organizes every detail of the wedding (venue, catering, timeline, vendors).

• Client Relationship: Close, personal connection with the couple.

• Timeline: Works for months or even years leading up to the event.

Event Manager

• Specialization: Handles various events (conferences, parties, festivals).

• Responsibilities: Manages logistics, vendors, and event flow.

• Client Relationship: More focused on logistics, less personal.

• Timeline: Works for varying periods depending on the event.

Key Difference: A wedding planner specializes in weddings with a personal touch, while an event manager handles various types of events with a focus on logistics.

Ultimately, both roles are crucial to a successful wedding. A wedding planner ensures that every aspect of the event meets the couple's expectations, while an event manager ensures the logistics of the venue run flawlessly. Having both are the key to a truly unforgettable wedding day.