Weddingbee Blog

arbela–IMHO, it depends on your budget and what the venue’s coordinator does. My site’s owner is present at all events and keeps things running smoothly, but won’t do anything like run the rehearsal or make sure the cake cutting, first dance, etc. all happens on-schedule. If your venue’s coordinator will take care of all your day-of needs, like paying the vendors, making sure everyone shows up when and where they’re supposed to, keeping track of all those little details you shouldn’t be worrying about on your big day, etc., then I don’t think you really need an additional day-of coordinator. But if the venue’s coordinator won’t be all that involved, then I say go for the day-of coordinator!

Another thing to be careful of is that the day-of coordinator wouldn’t step on the venue coordinator’s toes. I just read a horror story on Etiquette Hell about two coordinators getting into a huge fight and ruining the wedding–of course that’s worst case scenario, but you still don’t want it to happen! Ask your venue’s coordinator what his/her job entails and if he/she would be comfortable working with someone else on the day of the wedding.

Good luck!

I am in need of a football garter as a surprise! The only place I can find one is Ebay store (keep and toss- but its not cute) or one that is $30.00 without the toss garter! Anyone know of where to get one?

Nhi–I’m pretty proud of the site my fiance designed for us. Check it out at http://www.jeffandkatieswedding.com

We got most of the ideas for content from looking at others’ paid sites, but then Jeff created ours using Frontpage and his own website-building skills.

Our theme is sort of a “starry night” so that’s why there’s the lots of blue and black and white, but I do acknowledge it’s not very “bridal” looking–though that’s something I really like about it! I am always a fan of doing the site in the same colors and style of your wedding, especially since it’ll be mostly guests that look at it–they can start getting a “feel” for the wedding, getting excited about it, months in advance!!!

I like having our OWN wedding site, though, because it allows us to really personalize it–things like captions in the photo albums or specific things in the out-of-town guest info.

Hope I helped!

arbela, our venue had a coordinator, but we still had a day of coordinator. i think they just provide a higher level of service, and they’re completely dedicated to making sure your day goes off without a hitch. that piece of mind was priceless. Also I don’t think I even saw my event coordinator because my planners handled everything. if you can afford it, i say go for it!

Thank you, Katie and Becky-O!

ARBELA:
I am an event planner that works for a venue (not a freelance planner).
I have worked with wedding coordinators in the past who promised things to the client that just could not be done, or could be done but would cost more due to staff labour etc. Some of them did not even visit the space prior to the wedding and were very demanding in terms of setup and cost without even knowing what had been agreed upon.

My suggestion would be that you, your coordinator and the venue planner sit down and agree what your expectations are in terms of what each will be doing on your day. Remember that your fees to the venue include the services of a coordinator who knows the staff, the space and the details.

Beehive Question:

My FI and I would like to have an intimate wedding - 80 people absolute max, but more likely, more like 50 or 60. It seems like our families are going to nip that idea in the bud with long lists of “must invites”! Does anyone have advice about successfully pulling off an intimate wedding?

tell them that they themselves will have to cover the expenses of the extra people. THAT tends to nip things down a bit