Friday, March 29, 2013

Wedding Planner Vs. Catering Manager


So often we hear that brides don’t need a wedding planner because their venue provides a catering manager. While most venues do provide a venue contact their responsibilities are much different than those of a wedding planner.

The catering manager is your main contact from your venue and is there to manage the venue staff, assist with menu selection, make sure the tables are set, the service is on time, the staff is on task and will handle any special requests for set up of your room.  More times than not, they are not there for your entire wedding. They are not responsible for overseeing your vendors, running your processional or making sure the details of your day are perfect. That is what a wedding planner is for.

Though we love working with catering managers, we both understand we have different roles in making the wedding successful.

A wedding planner is responsible for coordinating all of the elements of your wedding and also serves as an advisor throughout the process.  Your wedding planner will be the main contact for all of your vendors, create a comprehensive timeline and make sure everyone follows it, set up your ceremony, programs, run your processional, coordinate your reception, first dances, toast, cake cutting, distribute tips to vendors, collect any personal items you may have brought and be there to handle any surprises that occur.

For the amount of time you put into planning your big day, it should be perfect! Bottom line is the wedding planner works for you but the catering manager works for the venue. Knowing what to expect will ensure no last minute surprises and will keep your wedding day stress free!

<3
Kim