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The First 180 Degrees
I never considered hiring a day-of-coordinator (DOC) during the first year of wedding planning. After all, we were only having 60 people, all in one location, no formal ceremony, no bridal party procession, no grand entrance into reception, no first dance, no father-daughter dance… you name it, we weren’t having it.
Then I read a veritable cornucopia of posts regarding the absolute necessity of having a DOC. Bride after bride after bride said that it was the best decision they had made. Oh crap, have I misled myself? Would I regret having to make any of my family members work? Would they not enjoy themselves? Now in a tizzy, I decided to call around and see exactly what this DOC thing was about and whether it was necessary for our relatively small wedding.
(Jennifer Lopez from The Wedding Planner, although hopefully your planner won’t steal your husband)
I went into a serious flurry of activity, calling any DOC that I could get my hands on that didn’t have an astronomical cost. Miss Cola did a lot of background work regarding DOCs in the Bay Area and graciously shared the information that she found.
After talking to the first DOC, I was convinced—I mean, absolutely 100% positively convinced that the one thing I needed was a DOC. Then I received the quote and I was convinced—I mean, absolutely 100% positively convinced that the one thing I needed was a DOC, but a cheaper one.
I’ll let you know what I decided in another post.
What led to your decision to have or not have a DOC?
I wanted to have no worries and no to do list on my wedding day. I did most of the planning myself and had all kinds of little decor details that needed to be taken care of the day of. I didn’t have a friend or family member that I felt comfortable asking and so I hired my DOC. She was worth every penny!
I haven’t decided wether or not to have a DOC it seems like a really great idea and that it would save me a lot of stress.
My ceremony and reception are in the same location. I’m going to assume the chick on location will be my DOC. The venue handles the catering, bar, and cake so I don’t have a ton of individual vendors to worry with. I really don’t see the need to hire one, but I could be totally wrong.
I haven’t decided yet, but I think our caterer acts as a DOC of sorts. Also, your posts are always so funny!
I’m having an extremely small wedding, like 30 people, and I’m still so glad that we’re having a DOC. There are so many things that go on before and during behind the scenes that I don’t want to worry about, nor do I want my family members to have to “work” my wedding, yaknowhatimean? Someone’s gotta be there for the set up & take down and coordination, and it sure as heck ain’t gonna be me!
Yeah, my venue/catering package came with a DOC (and a full staff!) so I was lucky. I didn’t have to hire a separate DOC, but if you’re a DIY bride and you have a ton of crafts that need to be set up, I can see how a DOC would be pretty essential.
I’m still wrestling with whether or not to have a DOC, as our contact person at our venue will be there and she’s great! But I just don’t know if I’ll be able to relax without knowing that the whole thing is in somebody else’s hands…
Have you talked to the RC? I was considering a DOC but then stopped pursuing it once I spoke to our hotel contact and he told us our maitre ‘d is basically there to keep everything on schedule and properly executed. They might provide something similar.
Unless you feel very comfortable with the venue staff person I’d still hire a DOC. Our reception site coordinator was very dissapointing. She promised several things she did not follow through on. If it hadn’t been for my DOC there might have been a few misshaps. The one big thing I learned in my wedding plannng experience was that some vendors promise a lot up front in order to get business and do not always follow through. It’s always good to have a contingency plan. That’s not to say we didn’t have some vendors who exceeded our expectations.
We are not having a DOC. Our venue coordinator and DJ are taking on that job! Fortunately the caterers, officiant, and DJ have all worked our venue before. Our DJ has everything so organized that we don’t have to worry about much more than just showing up that day. He has a list of everything and has it all assigned out. Once we signed him, I stopped having nightmares about things going wrong. The peace of mind is totally worth his sort of above average price.
@annabelle5:@Miss Rainbow: I hear you! These are the reasons why I was so strongly considering having one!
@Cole B: @10.10.10: @peachesandtulips: i know, it’s a touch decision!
@Ms Potato Chips: oh man, that’s a serious compliment coming from you! thanks!
@10.10.10: @Mrs. Mouse: @Meghan: @lemondrop: that’s what i’m hoping for from our venue!
My venue sort of has one, and I’ve heard from other brides that she is awesome and that I don’t need anyone else, so I’m hoping!
I know my story is unusual, but we hired a DOC because everyone said it would be great, and she was a total disaster. Total. She didn’t understand the schedule, so she kept messing things up. For instance, I just found out last week that my entire family missed the cake cutting because we were supposed to take a big family photo after the cake-cutting, but she thought it was supposed to be before… so she sent them all out of the room just before we cut the cake. There are literally dozens of stories, and I keep hearing more. So be super-super-sure of the person you’re hiring!
@Meghan: ah, if only someone had given you this piece of brilliant advice at the time… wait a minute. I did.
Um, I think my moms army of friends would absolutely kill me if I had a DOC. They are a literal army, and they kinda scare me with their efficiency.
We decided against it, but only because we have a wedding coordinator who works for our hotel venue. She’s going to set up all of the reception details (place cards, etc.) and all of my other vendors are to contact her about when to set up on w-day. So, basically she’s doing the job of a DOC.
I wish wish wish I had hired a DOC. Why didn’t I? because the caterer assured me that she would coordinate and be in charge of it all. But what do you do when the issue *is* the person who said they’d act as the DOC?
A hired DOC is the only vendor that is there absolutely 100% for you. The caterer’s first priority is his/her business and yeah, you end up being a part of that. But really they are there because it’s their job, they’re not there to help you or assist you - that isn’t their priority, that isn’t their job. Yes, she set up our DIY details, but she also ruined a fair amount of other things. If I could go back, I’d spend up to $1,000 just for that peace of mind.
I seriously regret not having one. Yes, you think everything will be fine, and that they will be there to help you - but they aren’t there for you. A paid DOC is paid to be in your corner.
@Miss Frozen Yogurt: @Miss French Fries: to ruin the suspense, we didn’t hire one, and this is what i’m hoping for
@Mrs. D’orsay: this is something i’m afraid of! i totally agree with your reasons–and it’s made the decision very difficult
@KMSull: that’s hilarious! that’s awesome you have a team of coordinators!
@worcesterbride: i’ve heard of this before–totally sucks! i’m sure your day was still wonderful, though!
Our venue comes with a DOC that is available 1 month before the wedding. So I can talk with her and plan everything with time. I think it’s going to be a great help, especially since I we didn’t budget for a DOC.
Our venue has essentially a DOC, and one of my mom’s friends has made it her job to do whatever we need her to do at the wedding (we helped out a lot with her daughter’s wedding) so I’m hoping that with the two of them, we’re not going to need another DOC!
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Mrs. Pug, New York City/Half Moon Bay, CA Age and Occupation: 33, Lawyer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, ditto Engagement Date: July 2008 Wedding Date: March 2010 Venue: Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay About Me: The Mr. and I are two 30-somethings who enjoy tasty sweets of all kinds, our neighborhood wine store, and cuddling with our pug. NYC is where we live and the city we love, but we’re doing the deed out in Northern California. We are trying to keep the affair small, intimate, and manageable. Our motto is: the less people, the better! (I’m kidding.)
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