who is responsible for what jobs on the wedding day?

 

After the Engagement is one of the highest rated event planning firms in Southern California. We are passionate about hospitality, and we are passionate about curating relationships that benefit the greater good.

Wedding + Event Planners are one of the only vendors at a wedding who know each and every detail and each and every job that needs to be done for a successful event. Partner with a professional event planner to help manage your wedding and event venue to assist in expecting the unexpected.

Our firm specializes in unique and vibey events for new-fashioned, non-traditional couples + clients who appreciate what we have coined as “laid back luxury”.

 



Wedding Coordinator (your full service planner)

Think of them as the CEO of your wedding day.

They are responsible for:

  • Creating and managing the timeline

  • Communicating with every vendor

  • Answering everyone's questions

  • Keeping the couple from being interrupted

  • Handling emergencies

  • Directing the ceremony processional

  • Making sure everything happens on time

If something goes wrong, they're the first person everyone calls.

Venue Coordinator or sales director

Think of them as the manager of the building.

Their responsibility is protecting and operating the venue, including:

  • Opening and closing the venue

  • Coordinating venue staff

  • Food and beverage service (if provided by the venue)

  • Venue tables and chairs

  • Lighting, HVAC, and facility issues

  • Parking logistics

  • Ensuring venue rules are followed

They generally do not:

  • Set up your décor

  • Coordinate outside vendors

  • Keep your wedding party on schedule

  • Pin flowers

  • Bustle dresses

  • Manage family members

  • Pack up your belongings

Friends & Family

Friends and family should ideally have one job: enjoy the wedding.

If they're helping, keep tasks simple:

  • Hand out programs

  • Direct guests to the guest book

  • Gather family members for photos

  • Pick up breakfast or coffee or lunch

  • Return small rental items

Avoid assigning them responsibilities like:

  • Running the timeline

  • Coordinating vendors

  • Managing setup or teardown

  • Solving last-minute issues

  • Being the point person for questions

Those jobs often prevent them from enjoying the celebration and can become stressful if something unexpected happens.

The Bottom Line

A venue coordinator works for the venue.

A wedding coordinator works for you.

Friends and family are your guests, not your event staff.

As a wedding planner yourself, you've probably seen this firsthand: when there's no dedicated wedding coordinator, responsibilities often end up falling on a bridesmaid, a parent, or another relative. They miss key moments of the wedding because they're answering vendor questions, tracking the timeline, or putting out fires instead of celebrating.