The Final 180 Degrees

The Final 180 Degrees

December 31st, 2009 @ 10:45 am by Mrs. Pug
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My last two posts described what would turn out to be a 72-hour flirtation with the idea of hiring a DOC. I went from not even considering a DOC to exuberantly calling a dozen DOCs. Even though we had a venue coordinator, I didn’t think the venue staff would provide everything that a DOC would and I didn’t want to bother the venue coordinator with tasks that she may find inappropriate or overstepping bounds.

From all my conversations with the DOCs, these are the general services that they provide:

Meeting anywhere from 1 month to 3 months out to discuss overall vision of wedding
Unlimited emails and phone calls until wedding day (I didn’t call any DOCs who indicated on their website that there was a limit to email and phone contact)
Collection of vendor contracts and confirming schedule with vendors, making sure they are paid/tipped, etc.
Collect and set up escort cards, menus, programs, any other DIY or decor
Direct rehearsal
Cue ceremony

Make detailed day-of timeline
Bring emergency kit
And the big one–essentially making sure that nothing bothers you or your family on the wedding day. Electrical fire in the kitchen? Speak to the DOC. The DJ didn’t bring the right song? Speak to the DOC!

I’m sure I’m missing some things and it differs from DOC to DOC, but those are the basics.

The Final 180 Degrees : wedding wedding planner Checkli02 checkli02

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But wow! What a list! Who wouldn’t want a DOC?

I called our venue coordinator to see if she had any opinions regarding the DOCs that I found, and she told me bluntly (in a good way) that I did not need a DOC considering the size of my wedding and what services she would provide.

But who would set up the menus? Who would set up the dozens of candles of the windows? Who would set up the iPod? Who would help me decide the format for the ceremony (this was the big one)?

The answer was: she would!

I think I teared up.

In the end, would it be the exact same thing as getting a DOC? No. But in the end, getting a DOC was beginning to look like an extra security blanket that I wanted on top of the services of the venue coordinator, and I could not justify the cost of that security blanket (sound of teeth chattering, feeling a little cold from my lack of security blanket).So in the span of a few short days, I went from no DOC, to absolutely yes DOC, back to no DOC. It’s like the circle of life.

What made you decide to have or not have a DOC?

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22 Responses to “The Final 180 Degrees”

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Member

Ms. Library (message) 1,250 posts, Bumble bee

Isn’t it nice to know that you still have most of those things already taken care of by your venue? I know it must be hard to have put so much work into finding one, but hey! You don’t have to pay extra! Our venue comes with a long-term coordinator and a DOC, and I have to say that I love it!

12/31/09 @ 10:52 am (reply)

Member

Cole B (message) 1,362 posts, Bumble bee

We haven’t decided on wether or not to have a DOC yet but we don’t have a venue coordinator like you do, maybe we need one.

12/31/09 @ 10:54 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Rainbow (message) 1,535 posts, Bumble bee

That is awesome! If our location included a DOC-like person, I totally wouldn’t have hired one, but all the places that inculded one were $2500+. Our location was so inexpensive that hiring an outside DOC on top of the location was still less that $1000! That’s smart shoppin right there!

12/31/09 @ 10:54 am (reply)

Member

MelissaB (message) 438 posts, Helper bee

Good choice, Miss Pug! We loved our DOC and thought she was a great addition to our wedding, but I always tell my friends that they might not need one if their venue coordinator is on top of things and willing to coordinate decorations and other details. (Ours, uh, wasn’t. Our contract with the venue actually said that venue employees were not responsible for helping us in any way! We were in a historic mansion and their job was basically to watch the wedding and kick us out if we disobeyed any rules. Not exactly supportive, but hey, we loved the site.) It sounds like you did your research and came up with a great solution.

12/31/09 @ 10:57 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

@Ms. Library: your venue sounds awesome–i hope it works out for both of us!\\@MelissaB: @Miss Rainbow: your decisions to get the DOC totally makes sense–i admit i’m a tiny bit envious (because of that extra security blanket feel)
@Cole B: it’s really hard to make this decision because it depends on so many factors, but whatever you decide, your day is going to be great!

12/31/09 @ 11:01 am (reply)

Member

Gilneas (message) 1,393 posts, Bumble bee

I was debating the DoC for awhile, because I am so crazy and controlling. But after talking to my venue coordinator, and knowing that I’d communicate well with my own wedding pros, I feel confident.

12/31/09 @ 11:05 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Guinea Pig (message) 1,377 posts, Bumble bee

I’m glad your venue coordinator will be much like a DOC for you! If not exactly the same, at least enough to get everything done and make you feel happy knowing someone is there to set things up for you And yay for not spending extra money! Even though security blankets are snuggly and warm…

12/31/09 @ 11:10 am (reply)

Bee

Ms Potato Chips (message) 1,193 posts, Bumble bee

That’s so great that she provides those DOC-like services! I’m hoping our catering coordinator does too, but I should probably find that out before assuming..

12/31/09 @ 11:17 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Hamster (message) 4,045 posts, Honey bee

Ah, get out of my head Puggie! I went through the exact same thing - tons of research, only to be told by our venue coordinator - “Uh, we do that”. Well, yay for the budget!

12/31/09 @ 11:20 am (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

@Gilneas: @Miss Hamster: @Miss Guinea Pig: here’s to hoping everything works out!
@Ms Potato Chips: i avoided talking to my venue coordinator for the longest time, but it was definitely worth it–i’ve heard of other catering coordinators who do a phenomenal job, so definitely talk to your coordinator!

12/31/09 @ 11:40 am (reply)

11.

Member

thebriz (message) 448 posts, Helper bee

Haven’t hired one yet, but will get a team of two, since we have two different locations (ceremony and reception).

For the ceremony, there is just no way I can oversee the flower delivery, make sure everything is set up, programs, etc. and troubleshoot should that happen, so at least for the ceremony I need one.

I’ll have venue coordinator at the reception, but he won’t really know that I want the table numbers faced this way or that, put the menu like this not like that, etc., so while they coordinate with the caterer and the rental set-up, the DOC can see to it that everything else I want and need to get done gets done.

If everything were in one location, then I’d be included to just go with the venue coordinator because a DOC is an extra added expense and if I could put that money elsewhere, why wouldn’t I?

12/31/09 @ 11:55 am (reply)

12.

Member

skibobrown (message) 1,902 posts, Buzzing bee

Yeah, our venue is expensive… BUT it comes with a wedding coordinator just like yours! Our wedding is a big bigger — 100 ppl, but our wedding coordinator will be making sure that all of the details are executed to perfection, so no extra DOC for us

12/31/09 @ 12:06 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Jamielee (message) 142 posts, Blushing bee

I am in the *exact* same situation as you. I still struggle with the thought that by paying a DOC, I know that person will 100% do things the way I want, whereas my venue coordinator seems a bit headstrong, and I wonder if he will respect my wishes (or really listen to them) and execute them the way I want.

12/31/09 @ 12:50 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Spaniel (message) 6,792 posts, Bee Keeper

Our venue coordinator helps with the ceremony… and then is done for the night. I wanted someone else to run interference if anything goes wrong at the reception!

12/31/09 @ 1:07 pm (reply)

15.

Member

3pugmama (message) 152 posts, Blushing bee

Yey for Lesli at the RC!

12/31/09 @ 1:15 pm (reply)

16.

Member

Charm bracelet (message) 1,935 posts, Buzzing bee

I am having an on site coordinator too. As I was reading your post, I was started to freak out, a little. I haven’t spoken with our coordinator yet ’cause she gets assign to us next month but I hope she will do all the details you have listed. I hope mine is as open and ready to help as yours is?!

12/31/09 @ 2:44 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Nachos (message) 1,733 posts, Bumble bee

Our venue provides a wedding coordinator too that will be our DOC, so no need for us to hire another one! You’ll be fine, I’m sure your venue coordinator has done this many many times.

12/31/09 @ 2:56 pm (reply)

18.

Member

tea (message) 7,263 posts, Bee Keeper

its great that your venue offers a coordinator. she’s probably well versed in weddings so i wouldn’t worry. i hope she’s just as easy to work with come wedding day

12/31/09 @ 3:25 pm (reply)

19.

Guest

trilby

Like you, Miss Pug, we live in NYC but got married in Northern CA (Napa Valley). We had a venue coordinator who was great and took care of everything for us so we absolutely didn’t need a DOC and I don’t for a second regret not having one. Our wedding ws very small however, only 16 people, so it might be more difficult for a larger wedding. Still, if you have a venue coordinator who is willing and able to do all the things you need, be glad and take advantage of it!

12/31/09 @ 4:53 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Miss Argyle (message) 2,516 posts, Sugar bee

I hired one for several reasons, but think they are an absolutely great idea. Not all venue coordinators tackle the tasks you mentioned above, so it’s good to check with yours before you rule out hiring a DOC!

Glad yours is so helpful!

1/1/10 @ 2:51 pm (reply)

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