That was my attitude towards wedding planning before we got engaged. It’s just planning a big party, right? I would tell friends that I love to plan, used to work in event planning, I am organized, I can handle it all on my own. Who needs a wedding coordinator? They would smile and nod, no doubt thinking to themselves that I am a huge moron.
I’ve said this before, but it’s really shocking how clueless I was about so many wedding related things! Not until I was months into this journey did I realize that I am so organized and particular, I am going to need help. It seems counter intuitive, but being overly organized and picky means that I do really care about how the place cards are set out. It matters to me that the cake table is set up the way I want it to look. And I also don’t want to be worrying about all of this the day we get married. I want to focus on the day and try to remember each moment, because I’ve heard so many people say that it goes by in a blink.
I do still think that I’ve got most of the planning under control, but I needed someone to execute my ideas that day. Several close friends and family members would be perfectly qualified and up to the task, but I want them with me that day (see aforementioned pickiness). I know that hiring a day of coordinator can be kind of a touchy subject and that it all really boils down to personal preference. We decided to go that route for all the reasons I just mentioned, it was the best decision for us and so I wanted to share my thought process with anyone who might be in the same boat.
We decided to go with Danica from Dreams & Designs, who so far has been nothing less than a pleasure to work with. We clicked right away (and I’ve never even met her in person). She comes highly recommended on The Knot and wedding coordination isn’t her full time job, making her rates really reasonable. We meet with her a week before the wedding and hand everything over, I feel calmer about everything just knowing that she’s in charge! The peace of mind that comes with knowing that she will execute everything perfectly is worth every penny to me.
Are you considering a day of coordinator? Or are you going it alone? I am interested to hear what you all have to say because I debated the subject (in my head) for quite awhile!
I also hired a day of coordinator for the reasons that you mentioned. Some friends and family think I’m crazy to spend the money but I know that it will allow me to relax and enjoy my day more.
I’ll be hiring one-I am a serious perfectionist and do not want my friends/family to deal with this-also, I’m getting married in my FI’s home state, so would like to have a local deal with the local vendors.
I’m going it alone, but both of my ceremony and reception venues have on-site coordinators that will be dealing with the vendors, issues, etc. the day of, so I think (or am furiously hoping) that my decision was a good one.
Hiring a DOC was the best thing we did. My hubby didn’t really understand why we needed one and then the day of the wedding he kept saying what a godsend she was. I, like you, didn’t want to put my friends and family to work and honestly, I didn’t want my friends/family slacking on the job. Seriously, no one wants to handle all those details from setting up all the miscellaneous decor items, directing vendor deliveries and set-up and tiny things like turning up and down the lights on the dance floor at the appropriate times during the reception. Mine was even text messaging with the DJ to time the music for our entrance at the reception. And I forgot to write a check for one of our vendors so she wrote it from her own checkbook and we settled up later. I was so carefree and relaxed because she was handling everything. Everything seemed to go smooth, no one asked me annoying planning questions and I enjoyed my wedding!
I also have the word “planner” in my professional title and am pretty picky and detail-oriented, but just remember that you hired someone great and don’t feel like you have to plan each tiny thing. I had a few things that I wasn’t sure how to arrange and I told my DOC to do whatever she thought looked best and it worked out great!
My ceremony & reception are at the same site, and I’ve hired the the event coordinator at the venue to be my DOC. I want my friends and family to enjoy the day, so I am glad to have someone else handle all the details. I also like that she is the event coordinator at the venue, so not only does she have lots of experience but she also has been working with me on the layout, the rentals, the menu, etc. I was really against a planner, since I love to plan parties anyway and I’m a DIY-er, but I’m definitely ok with handing over the say-of stresses!
I’ve lucked out by 1 having a super amazing FMIL who get’s my style and wants everything perfect , and 2 having a venue being run by a family friend. I trust that the details that must be taken care of the day of will be done just the way I want ^-^.
I would have hired one, but my caterer will take care of a lot of the small details the week before (double checking with vendors, making sure that all the little details are in order) and that night, I didn’t feel like I needed one. Otherwise, I definitely would have gone for it. There are too many moving parts and I would be pulling my hair out.
I really want one, especially since I am planning most of this from out of state and the wedding is 3 hours from where I live. Alas, the parents don’t see the need and I can’t afford to front $1000 for it.
i feel the same way. i was never an event planner, but i’m very organized and particular about what i want. at first we thought about having our bridal party or family help with set-up, but that gets difficult with timing and such. so i ended up going with a very affordable doc. i’m actually excited that i’ve hired someone to do exactly what i want. hopefully it’ll be executed in that way.
My coordinator was terrible. I hired the full deal instead of day of because we were planning in 4 months and I knew I would really need help. I ended up doing the reall planning myself, and she didn’t seem to take my concerns seriously, and day of she bailed early. The church ladies were super awesome and could not have been done without, but the lady I paid WAY to much money to was a disaster. She was a friend of my mother’s so I knew there was potential for this to happen, but lesson learned. All I really needed was a day of. All of that being said, having someone at the reception hall to deal with little details was needed. We couldn’t get in until 3pm and we needed to be at the church at 3:30pm. The wedding planner was my greatest frustration during the whole process. I am so glad to be married and to have wonderful pictures of my beautiful wedding and to not have to deal with that stuff any more.
I am seriously considering a day of coordinator because we are having an outdoor wedding on family property int he middle of nowhere….ok it’s not the middle of nowhere and there will be houses nearby but it is in podunkville.
I like you absolutley do not want my family and friends to have to do the coordinating. I am worried about finding someone who won’t cost an arm and a leg because the place is so rural and the chances of finding somone reasonably priced, if our caterer doesn’t have someone is slim.
I actually hired a full service wedding coordinator. My fiance is deployed, I work full time, and my mom is too bossy. We decided it would be in our best interest to have someone there every step of the way. By the time we had hired her though I had a few of the major pieces in place (venues and photographer) but other than that I was clueless so it’s been a huge help.
The vendors I have ended up hiring have worked with her a lot and she knows their style and their work ethic. It’s definitely nice having someone who knows their stuff there to help me out and do a lot of the leg work for me. I am the first of all of my friends to tie the knot so I don’t have any of their experiences to go off of either.
I hired a DOC, and with 9 days left till my wedding, I can already say it was the best money we ever spent. Even though my venue has a site coordinator, there are so many other logistical concerns that I hadn’t even thought of that she’s taking care of.
And the best part is, I hired here when she was just starting out (still working a day job), so her rates were really reasonable. Fast forward a year and a half later and she’s got a booming business with a full staff and office and everything. So, I’m getting this fabulous, very experienced DOC with three assistants for the day of, all at the price of someone just starting out.
i’m just as exacting with my vision for events that i planned so a coordinator is a must for me. i want my friends and family to enjoy the day along with me, not put them to work. plus, with them knowing how protective i am with my projects, i’m positive they’d be happy to know that i let them off the hook for helping that day. lol.
My name is Meg Ashworth and I am currently working on the marketing campaign for Susie Coelho’s (of Surprise Gardner and Outer Spaces on HGTV) new book Style Your Dream Wedding. Susie is one of the forerunners in the makeover genre, and a leading expert in the lifestyle industry. She is the designer for Susie Coelho Style, a collection exclusively for Mervyn’s, and Susie Coelho Outdoor, a collection of garden gloves and accesories.
I am sharing all of this with you because you are the creator of a strong and popular blog and you truly stand as a source of inspiration for couples planning their weddings.
I would love to send you a complimentary copy of Style Your Dream Wedding, in hopes that you would first enjoy the book, and secondly champion the message on your site and open up the channels of discussion. In addition, if you would like, we can send you banner ads or free copies of the book to give away on your site.
I would be happy to answer any questions as well as provide any details about the book and Coelho’s message. Thank you for the time and if you would indeed enjoy a copy, please reply with your mailing address.
Sincerely,
Meg Ashworth
[...] and all of the other reasons I mentioned led me to hire our wonderful day-of-coordinator. No trust issues there! Mama Sundae and I are [...]
Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
You took the words right out of my mouth, Miss Sundae. I predict hiring a day of coordinator will be on of the best decisions we make.
Peace of mind to me is extremely valuable!