A Venue’s Take on Wedding Coordinators
When you hire a Wedding Coordinator, they’re going to be working with every other vendor you’ve hired as well. Wedding Coordinators are the middle man who make sure everything goes smoothly. It’s important to know that your coordinator can work well with the other vendors you’ve hired. I chatted with a great local venue, Cathy from Appalachian View, to get her thoughts on working with a Wedding Coordinator. Before we get into the juicy stuff, here’s a little bit about Cathy and her venue!
Part 1- About Appalachian View
Q. Tell me a little bit about Appalachian View!
A. We built Appalachian View in 2019 on 73 acres on the back side of Sugar Mountain. We have a 3600 sq ft main Reception building that has bride and groom ready rooms, caterers kitchen, bar that opens to the inside and patio, heat and air conditioning, and can accommodate 200 guests. We also have an enclosed 1600 sq ft heated building that can be used for indoor weddings, Rehearsal Dinner, or extra bridal party space. Both buildings have beautiful views of Grandfather Mt to the east and The Blue Ridge and sunset to the west. There is plenty of on site parking. We are starting construction of the first 2 of 7 cabins.
Q. How did your journey in the wedding industry begin?
A. We have family and a cabin in Newland. We have had several family weddings at our cabin. In looking for land with spectacular views for our home, we found this property and one thing led to another...
Q. What sets you apart from other wedding venues?
A. It’s new with unparalleled views. We include chairs, tables, and tablecloths in the rental cost. We are trying to keep rental costs reasonable. Bride and groom rooms have separate attached bathrooms. The vinyl plank floors look like hardwood, are easy to clean, easy on the feet, and not so slick when wet.
Q. If you were a couple looking for a wedding venue, what things would you look for?
A. Views, a space to decorate to my taste (doesn’t look like everything else on Pinterest), parking, and extra things included.
Q. What is your favorite spot on the Appalachian View property?
A. Either the ceremony site with Grandfather Mountain as the backdrop or The patio as sunsets behind the mountains.
Photo by Luminescent Images
Part 2- A Venue’s thoughts on Wedding Coordinators
Q. How does having a wedding coordinator on the wedding day help you do your job better?
A. I can concentrate on the venue and making sure tables and chairs are set, parking, and that vendors have what they need.
Q. What is one thing that a wedding coordinator does to help relieve stress for you?
A. Taking care of the bride!
Photo by Jeff Payne
Q. Tell about a time when you were glad there was a wedding coordinator present:
A. Always!!
Q. Tell about a time when there wasn’t a wedding coordinator and you wished there was:
A. I told a couple when they booked a year earlier for an October date how busy that time is in the mountains. They contacted me 3 months before saying they had just started looking and couldn’t find hotel rooms where they wanted. A wedding planner would have kept them on track for when things need to be done in the area.
Photo by Amber Hatley
Q. What difference does it make in your client’s planning process when they’re working with a Wedding Planner?
A. It makes a huge difference. I can give suggestions for vendors and lodging but don’t have the expertise to know all the area options or to get then to plan in a timely manner.
Q. Anything else you want couples to know about hiring a Wedding Coordinator or Planner?
A. Couples don’t have experience planning their own wedding. Wedding Planners bring that learning curve experience and make the entire planning and wedding day smooth and stress free.
