What is the difference between a venue co-ordinator & a wedding planner?

This is a question that we often get asked, so we thought who better to answer this, than wedding planner extraordinaire Jenny, from Jenny Wren Wedding and Events.
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Over to you Jenny…

After months, even years of planning, the wedding day is finally here!

Looking ravishing, relaxed & relishing every moment is how any couple should be on their big day, which is why we work closely with wonderful wedding venue co-ordinators like Lara Gill from Launcells Barton to ensure your day goes off without a hitch!

I have been on both sides of that spectrum, running weddings for a venue and as an independent wedding planner, so can give you some experienced insight into the difference in roles. I really enjoy working with venue coordinators, we work seamlessly together to ensure your day runs smoothly. The level of service of course varies from venue to venue, some coordinators are more involved than others. But here is how we work with wedding co-ordinator Lara at Launcells Barton.

There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes, this may give you a little insight into what we get up to..

Set Up & Room Turnarounds
Ironing the tablecloths, lighting the candles, hanging the lights, placing the name cards, table plans and favours…set up can be exhausting!
We take care of this while you enjoy your own preparations, confident that all will look just as you envisage. Couples getting married at Launcells Barton have the use of two beautiful barns and the choice of several ceremony areas, meaning no turn around of rooms are needed. This allows you to set up your ceremony and reception areas the day prior, giving you complete piece of mind that everything is looking just as you want.

Co-ordintaiton of Suppliers
A wedding planner contacts suppliers in the lead up to the wedding and arranges logistics, when they will arrive/leave and keeps in contact prior to the day. This is unlikely for a venue co-ordinator to do, unless in reference to the setup of the venue. If there is an issue with your suppliers, it is up to you to deal with, where as a wedding planner would take care of this. On the day we will be there to see in your suppliers and assist with what they need, for example showing the cake maker where to set up, ensuring the band have sufficient power and the photographer gets fed! Launcells Barton have taken the time to put together a hand picked recommended supplier list of those they have worked with in the past and know their venue well.

Organising Accommodation
We know that sometimes it can be difficult to organise accommodation for all your guests, especially if you don’t know the area well. Launcells Barton provides accommodation for the Bride and Groom and their close friends and family, but we can research and book accommodation for your guests that are not staying within Launcells Barton.

Guest Transportation
There is plenty of parking at Launcells Barton, but for those that want to provide transport for their guests, we can take care of the coordination for various pick up points. We can even have a staff member on the coach to tick people off as they get on board, ensuring no one is left behind.

Ceremony
Whether it be a religious, civil or a humanist ceremony a little pre planning will make sure you both relax and enjoy every moment.

  • Ensure reserved seating on the front rows is taken care of. Have you seen the beautiful handmade benches they have for the ceremony at Launcells?
  • Meeting your registrars or celebrants, ensuring they have all they need.
  • Some people that have involvement in the ceremony (bridesmaids, ushers, fathers…) feel nervous or panicky just before the ceremony.  This is often because they are not sure where to be, where to stand or what to do at specific moments and they are worried about messing up. We often organise wedding ceremony rehearsals to put their mind at ease.
  • Manage the music, whether that’s pressing play on an ipod as you are about to walk down the aisle or cueing the musician.
  • Ensuring any people doing readings have their reading and are clear on where they will be stood.
  • Organise when the confetti will be thrown and ensuring all guests have some. Confetti tunnels work really well and look great in pictures!

Bridal Party Flowers
Often florists have another wedding to get to so may not have time to deliver your bouquet to you personally. We ensure they reach you in good time and all buttonholes have been circulated to the correct people. We often end up pining them on and helping tie cravats also!

Photographs
Launcells Barton has such an array of beautiful areas for photographs. Matt and Lara know all the best spots and have even been know to give couples a tractor ride to the nearby fields for those epic countryside views! We assist the photographers with gathering any family members or friends for group photographs and always check with our couples if there are any family situations to be aware of, avoiding any awkward moments when putting people together for pictures.

Guest Care
Our aim is to ensure your guests have a wonderful time too, we take care of their needs and pay special attention to elderly guests, those with special needs and children.  Whether that’s getting Nana a cup of tea and a comfy chair, escorting Grandpa up the steps or discreetly taking a little one to the toilet during the ceremony.

Keep things safe
Once the wedding meal is over and the evening party is beginning, we can pack away your table décor, ensuring all is organised into boxes, making it easier for the you the next day if you have hired items to return or bits to take home. We also ensure all of your cards and presents are stored safely in your room.

Emergency Kit
We have a kit we bring with us to every wedding with over 50 items in it. From rescue remedy, blister pads and plasters to a sewing kit, spare weddings rings and drawing pins. Our kit has come to the rescue time and time again.

Finally, no matter how perfectly planned, there are often little things that come up on the day that can not be foreseen. We deal with these in a professional and discreet manner, you will not even know they have happened.

Launcells Barton is one of our favourite venues to work at, as well as it being an absolute beautiful venue with such character and charm, owners Lara and Matt are so welcoming and a pleasure to work alongside.

If you’re looking at wedding venues in Cornwall like to discuss your big day with us give us a call on 01288 352352 or email hello@launcellsbarton.co.uk

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