A bride recently asked me, “Why do I need you if I have an event manager at my venue?” This is a fantastic question and I have a great insight into this as I recently worked AT a venue AS the event manager for five years. At the time I left my position, we were running over 400 events a year. While I pride myself on quick, clear, and direct personal communication, there was no way I could give every single client 100% of my time and energy. Even while working there, it was made clear I was not their “event planner” and furthermore, it was recommended they HIRE an event planner (or at least a day-of-coordinator) to assist with their event!

The duties of venue event managers vary from location to location, however here are the basic duty break downs of a venue event manager and a personal wedding planner/designer.

Venue Event Manager

• Touring and selling the venue (Of course you think they are your friend, they are in sales!)
• Collecting the deposit and future payment timeline
• Providing you with a preferred vendor list (many times required vendors)
• Floor plan layout based on venue requirements
• Making sure you and your other vendors/guests load in and out on time (Many times your event manager will not be on site, but represented by another staff member of the venue)
• (Some venues providing food and beverage services might control those portions of the timeline to ensure service efficiency) 

unoaked.’s Event/Wedding Planner/Designer

• Full design & production direction (wedding theme/style, color palette, and design concepts)
• Advice on wedding etiquette and standard protocols
• Budget allocation and tracking
• Unlimited referral to vendors providing Event-related services
• Venue tours
• Vendor meetings
• Rehearsal Dinner assistance, venue research
• Review all vendor contracts to ensure accurate timing and load in/out procedures
• Confirm all vendor arrival/departure times on day of Event
• Final vendor information package, including timeline and all vendor contact information
• Advice on save-the-date, invitation & RSVP cards
• Advice on floor plan and venue setup
• Advice on guest seating chart and table assignments
• Advice on timeline for the day of the Event
• Ceremony rehearsal with wedding party
• Up to twelve (12) hours of onsite wedding day management, including the following:
• Oversee implementation of design & décor for wedding & reception
• Line-up family members and wedding party for ceremony
• Cue all vendors for the timing of the ceremony
• Cue family and wedding party for ceremony entrance
• Cue all vendors for the timing of the grand entrance
• Cue wedding party for the grand entrance
• Distribute remaining payments/gratuities on behalf of Client
• Coordinate delivery of gifts to the Client-designated person before completion of the Event
• Gather all returnable décor and transfer to the Client-designated person before completion of the Event for load out by Client

While all venues and event planners are different, so are all couples and their requirements!  There is never a one-size-fits-all wedding package so unaoked. customizes each proposal to suit each event. I have always said, and will continue to pursued all hosts planning an event to have professional assistance. If you are spending all of that money to host an event for your guests to enjoy, YOU TOO should be able to kick back and let your diligent planning be carried out by a professional team allowing you to party with the people who matter most!

As always, please feel free to comment or email me with any questions!  I am always happy to help!

unblogged. Adam.
adam@unoakedevents.com