Do I need both a venue manager and a wedding coordinator?
The short answer, YES!
We want to be super clear about something important as you plan your wedding at Emerson Fields: our on-site venue manager is not the same as a wedding coordinator.
Every wedding day, a member of our staff is here to make sure the venue itself is running smoothly—things like lighting, layout, setup, and logistics.
But when it comes to managing your timeline, coordinating people, and making sure every detail goes according to plan? That’s where a wedding coordinator comes in. You really do need both to keep the day stress-free and running like clockwork. Let’s break down the difference.
Now that you’ve booked your venue, you might be wondering, “Is someone from the venue going to be there on my wedding day?” Absolutely—there should be. At Emerson Fields, we will always have a venue manager on site. But their role is very different from a wedding coordinator (also known as your event management team).
Both are essential to creating a smooth, stress-free experience—and here’s how it all breaks down.
“We were constantly reassured by Steve and Amelia and our wedding coordinator that everything was going to be exactly how we imagined it to be. Emerson Fields gives you the canvas that allows you to create the perfect wedding day. It was absolutely perfect. We would not change a single thing about our wedding weekend at Emerson Fields.”
There is a difference between what our venue manager does and what a wedding coordinator does for you on your wedding day.
First, Let’s Paint a Picture…
It’s time for your ceremony. Guests are arriving, your playlist is cued up, the wedding party is lining up… but the flower girls freeze, the DJ is unsure when to start, and the caterer shows up asking questions about dinner service. You’re standing in your beautiful wedding dress wondering why the music isn’t playing, who’s going to answer the caterer’s questions, who’s handling the flower girls, and whether Grandma made it to her seat.
Without a third-party professional who's been tracking every detail, it can get overwhelming fast. That’s why a wedding coordinator—someone who is focused on managing the flow of your people, timeline, and details—is worth their weight in gold. They make sure you can stay present in the moment, instead of juggling logistics in your head when you should be focused on marrying your best friend.
What Our Venue Manager Does
A venue manager is always on-site during weddings at Emerson Fields. They’re there to make sure the venue is functioning at its best and that vendors are following all the guidelines for safety, setup, and cleanup. Think of them as the behind-the-scenes logistics expert for the property itself.
Our venue manager handles things like:
Setting up tables and chairs
Flipping the ceremony space if needed
Making sure the bathrooms are stocked and clean
Monitoring the HVAC and sound systems
Greeting vendors and walking them through any setup instructions
Troubleshooting any site-related issues (power, ice machine, weather, etc.)
They know every inch of the venue and can offer expert advice on the best layout and flow for your celebration. But they won’t be directing your bridal party down the aisle or cueing the DJ for your grand entrance.
What a Wedding Coordinator Does
Your wedding coordinator (aka event management team) is your people-person and timeline wrangler. They’re the ones who know your style, story, and ceremony flow inside and out. They make sure the wedding party knows where to be, when to walk, and what to do—and they keep your day running seamlessly even when something unexpected happens.
Your coordinator will handle:
Cueing the processional and grand entrance
Lighting candles and placing last-minute décor
Communicating with vendors, family, and wedding party
Keeping things on time—but flexible when needed
Solving problems without pulling you away from experiencing your wedding day
They’re your peace-of-mind and calm in the chaos—and your biggest advocate on the most important day of your life.
Emerson Fields Offers Both
Here’s where it gets even better: Emerson Fields now offers wedding day event management as an additional service.
We call it event management because we don’t just show up the day-of. We begin 12 weeks before your wedding with a lead coordinator who learns your wedding vision, meets with you weekly, creates your custom floor plan, final timeline, and coordinates directly with your vendors. You’ll also receive guidance on final design details, vendor payment tips, and helpful checklists so nothing slips through the cracks.
And on the wedding day? Our team is there from start to finish, handling every little detail while collaborating with our venue manager—so nothing is missed. It’s a dream team that knows the space and your style.
Couples say it again and again: trust the team that knows the venue best.
We’ve hosted hundreds of weddings here and know what works, what to avoid, and how to pivot when needed. It’s why we built this service—to offer next-level support with people who already know your venue, vendors, and vision.
Want to Make Things Even Easier?
Many of our couples choose to bundle services through our Emerson Fields Vendor Package, which includes a hand-picked group of trusted professionals we’ve worked with time and time again—like your wedding coordinator, DJ, bar service, and linens. You’ll save money and planning time by booking these essentials together with a team that works like a well-oiled machine.
TL;DR:
Venue Manager = property and setup pro
Wedding Coordinator = people and timeline expert
You = fully present, relaxed, and in the moment
We’re here to support you however you need—whether that’s by managing the venue, coordinating your day, or helping you find vendors you can trust. Let’s create the kind of wedding day you’ll remember forever—for all the right reasons.
