It's a very common question, and the three roles can sometimes overlap, which makes things a little confusing!
A venue coordinator generally works on behalf of the venue. Their main responsibility is to oversee everything related to the property, its facilities, and the services included in your venue agreement. They're an important part of the team, making sure everything runs smoothly from the venue's side, but their primary responsibility is to the venue itself rather than exclusively to you as a couple.
A wedding coordinator usually becomes involved closer to the wedding day, once you've already planned the celebration and booked your suppliers. Their role is to bring everything together, create a detailed timeline, coordinate the professionals involved, and oversee the event itself, so you can relax and enjoy your wedding without having to worry about managing everything.
A wedding planner, on the other hand, works with you throughout the planning process, from finding the right venue and suppliers to developing the design, organising logistics, managing the details, and coordinating the wedding day.
The main difference? A venue coordinator looks after the venue, a wedding coordinator brings your existing plans together, and a wedding planner helps you build the entire celebration from the beginning.
Of course, the exact responsibilities can vary depending on the professional and the services included.