Why a Catering Manager is NOT a Wedding Coordinator

Let me repeat that: Catering Manager ≠ Wedding Coordinator

I’ve heard this many times, “Oh, my Catering Manager said I don’t need a coordinator. He/She can handle everything!” And here are my Top 5 reasons as to why this could backfire. Of course all of these do not apply in every situation, but they are definitely valid points to consider when planning your wedding! Please note: I know many Catering Managers who are just awesome and go above and beyond for their clients (and me!). But like I said in point 2, let them do their job. They will love you for it!  

1) Your catering manager works for the venue/catering company, and thus their first loyalty is to their employer and employer’s bottom line. Not Yours.

2) Depending on how much event space is at your venue, your catering manager could potentially be handling multiple weddings/events on your wedding day. There is a good chance they are also overseeing set-up for someone else, so let them do their job: manage the food, beverage and sales. By the way, they inwardly groan when they have to arrange your escort cards and may not have time to set up that 30 piece candy buffet or the meticulous tablescape you planned out with your parents’ wedding photos and faux birds and butterflies!

3) In the event industry, the turnover rate is extremely high, especially when it comes to catering managers, whether it be at a hotel, venue, or catering company. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called a venue to speak to the catering manager (who I have developed a relationship with!) only to find out that he/she is no longer there, and has moved on to a different hotel/company/etc. So that awesome catering manager who you signed your contract with (and who was a big selling point!)… may not be there in 9 months! And they may have been replaced with someone who you just don’t click with.

4) If you are having an on-site ceremony at the venue (versus a church), who’s going to run your ceremony rehearsal? Probably not your catering manager! If you’ve ever been to a ceremony rehearsal where there wasn’t a designated person in charge and who knew what they were doing, it can be a complete. MESS.

5) The catering manager is not obligated to answer your wedding-related questions about  etiquette, invitations, color schemes, flowers, decor, music, transportation, and all the other 973,298,156 nitty gritty details you may have questions about.