Weddingbee Blog

The sister of a bridesmaid volunteered to be our day-of-coordinator. She doesn’t have experience, but she had a wedding herself, she has been in several weddings as a bridesmaid, and is a manager. It works for her because it is her gift to us (she won’t feel obligated to buy us anything, saving her money), plus we only need her help for some minor things during the ceremony, so she will be able to enjoy herself the rest of the night.

I asked my friend to be the day-of-coordinator because I wanted her to be part of the wedding but I had already decided on my bridesmaids. Plus, she’s organized, responsible, and is more into wedding stuff than me. She was happy to do it and it saved me a bundle on hiring an actual coordinator to take care of logistics while I was getting ready.

I found two college students from school near by my wedding location. I’m paying them to have the reception area looking perfect when we arrive. I’m not paying them alot, but they can eat as much as they would like. I know, as a recent college grad I would do just about anything for a few dollars, and they are the same way. A couple friend are going to share the logistics job, as their gift to me.

Hello Fellow Dallasite!
I was lucky enough that my DJ was a husband/wife team. The husband played jams and the wife stayed attentive to my needs. Shuffling me through the food line, keeping my drink full, pulling me away from guests when I had to dance or speak or cut the cake.
My mother in law coordinated the guys and my sister (MOH) coordinated us girls.

hope that helps!

I will be my cousin’s day of coordinator but as the Maid of Honor, its a pretty hefty task. I have no hand in the planning b/c she doesn’t need it but I am READY & WILLING! I even will have a small electronic bullhorn to use for the group photo gathering.

I had a cousin of mine do this for me. I’d helped her with her wedding a couple of years ago and she couldn’t be in mine due to other reasons, and it was so worth it. An actual exchange the day-of (after the third time coming to get my opinion on something): “Can you answer… If I can just take care of it, should I?” “Yes.” “Great.” (To this day, I have no idea what all she did, but since she has good taste and common sense, I was happy to have someone out there who could squash the Really Bad Ideas)

I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine… Dallas brides unite! From what I have seen so far… I think your wedding is going to be beautiful! I love your style and your postings. Best of luck to you

I am a wedding planner myself, and although I (obviously) think it’s vital to have a day of coordinator, I don’t always think it’s the best idea to use an inexperienced friend or Aunt Sally. They mean well, and it’s really sweet that they offer– but when the going gets tough, you’ll know why some people get paid to do this particular job.
And I learned this lesson the hard way myself. We hired a family friend of my husband’s to be the DOC for our wedding. Although she worked at a reception site part time— it’s not the same as being a professional wedding planner. She was pretty much useless and my bridesmaids ended up doing the majority of the legwork on my wedding day.
And I’m not, by any means, saying that every inexperienced DOC volunteer will do a bad job… I just wanted to give you fair warning that it’s in your best interest to hire a professional for this job. Or to at least be VERY careful who you choose!
Best of luck ladies! You’re all going to have awesome weddings from what I’ve seen/heard so far!

I originally didn’t want to spend on the money on a Day-Of Coordinator, but my mom kept telling me horror stories about her own wedding when people would constantly turn to her with problems, etc, and she didn’t want that for me, so she convinced me. I have to admit that I’m already more relaxed knowing that someone will be decorating for the reception, moving some of the decorations from the church to the reception, etc etc. I think that in the end, it’s worth it, even if you have to budget a little more in other areas.

I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a day-of event coordinator until just after getting engaged. When we realized that our wedding was not going to be in a church or in a hotel but rather, outside at a state park which doesn’t exactly come with event assistance, I told my fiance that I wanted to make sure we built our budget around two things…great photography, and a day-of event coordinator. Now that we are only five months away, I can’t help but say to everyone “hiring a day of event coordinator is the best money we have spent thus far on the wedding!”

Of course, that doesn’t help your current predicament of having nothing left in the budget for it. I would suggest spending a small amount to hire someone that you trust but that wouldn’t normally be at your wedding (and wouldn’t be offended that they hadn’t been asked in the first place). Maybe a co-worker? You don’t want to be worried about the details of centerpieces, vendor drop-offs and the cake falling down while you are trying to be the calm, cool and collected bride!

–girl