Event Coordinating Vs. Event Planning…What’s The Difference?
Over the years, the terms coordinating and planning have been used interchangeably. While there are some responsibilities that overlap, there is a clear distinction between these roles.
An event coordinator is someone who oversees the details by gathering contracts, acting as a liaison between clients and vendors, as well as making sure that the celebration runs smoothly on the client’s special day. Coordinators begin focusing on a client’s event closer to the date of celebration because it is essential that all details are in place before creating a timeline. Lastly, coordinators are “fairy godmother” problem solvers. They magically fix emergency situations without letting anyone notice. At the end of the day, coordinators ensure that everything runs seamlessly so that the client is treated like a guest at his/her event.
An event planner is the visionary behind an event. This individual brainstorms ideas, creates a theme, and ties all of the details together. He or she attends appointments, looks at color palettes and works integrally with clients to bring dreams to reality. A planner takes over more control of the planning process, and begins working on the celebration several months to a year in advance to ensure that no detail is missed.
Both coordinators and planners are necessary to creating and executing the client’s picture perfect celebration.
