- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
* personal photo*
I love all the cousins Hot Wings dearly! I DO! Cousins Hot Wings, I Love you! Your weddings taught me a valuable lesson.
A Day of Coordinator is a must in the Hot Wings family!
There have been 3 cousin weddings. Let’s just call them Cousin 1, Cousin 2, and Cousin 3 for simplicity. Let’s bullet point some famous lines from each wedding.
Cousin 1’s Wedding
Cousin 2’s Wedding (reception located 2 hours away from home)
Cousin 3’s Wedding
Because of these infamous lines, I missed the ceremony at Cousin 1’s wedding. I missed taking pictures with the wedding party at Cousin 2’s wedding (and I was a BM). And by Cousin 3’s wedding, it wasn’t a surprise because it had become my reputation. “No worries, Miss Hot Wings can pick up the cake,” they said.
So who is going to pick up our cake?!? Delivery baby! No problemo.
Because of my family history with weddings, a day of coordinator topped my list of must haves. Our wedding has 2 super large families, a large wedding party, 2 venues, a large guest list, an insane number of DIY projects to set up, changes in all traditions and customs, and an attempt at being chic and glam. I had to find the RIGHT coordinator.
In came Brenda Swann of Swann Soirees. Look at her! She’s as sassy as she looks. I promise. First, I stalked her and her blog. I watched how other highly DIY brides talked about her work on the San Diego wedding planning site, Bridal Insider. I set up a phone date with her. We talked and I fell in love. I ran home and told Mr. Hot Wings that I had to have her. Brenda is warm, eager to please, passionate, dedicated, and a feisty one. She fights for her couples. I love it! Even better was that other vendors I met kept telling me how much they loved working with her because she takes care of EVERYONE, not just the bride and groom… everyone.
![Can You Pick Up the Cake? : wedding san diego wedding planner 21 swann-soirees-0442[1]](http://www-static.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/24/21.jpg)
So that’s how I knew I needed a coordinator. What things did you consider when deciding if you needed a day of coordinator?
We were going back and forth on this as well, and then it turns out our hotel contact takes care of the responsibilities we were looking for. Phew!
As much running around as it entailed, it’s nice that you have such a reliable and trustworthy reputation in your family! 
We aren’t having a DOC even though I feel like we should. Me and my BM will be making various phone calls to ensure everything is in place the day of! Eek!
When you say she fights for her couples, what exactly do you mean? Just wondering. do you have an example?
That sounds great! It will be so nice not to have to stress about things!
Your stories about those weddings are so funny! I actually missed out on a bunch of things at my sisters wedding since so many people were relying on me for logists and to run around doing things.. even though she HAD a wedding planner!! Even though our hotel provides a ‘planner’, I am hiring a DOC for extra comfort. I just don’t want to worry about anything that weekend at all and like you said, I’m trying to make sure the responsibilities don’t fall on my Mom or Sisters..
Mr. Taco insisted that we didn’t need one (he definitely changed his tune), but I’m so glad to be having a bm’s sister as our DOC.
Bridal party and family members just can’t take the time to do everything that needs to be done.
@Miss Burgundy: Great question! She’s been known to fight with venues that want to set up a wedding indoors because of possible rain because she trusted that there was enough time to get the couple’s big wish of an outdoor wedding. In the last 2 instances I’ve heard of, she was spot on and the rain didn’t start again until after the ceremony. Things like that.
@alivoo01: Even though I had to do stuff for my cousin’s wedding, it’s actually ok. They’re hilarious memories in our family and we totally laugh about them with delight today. So don’t worry too much. The stress will still be a memory 
We’re not having a DOC either - I have a feeling maybe we should but I don’t want to admit that we need help nor am I willing to pay someone for it. I’m confident we’ll get it done!
@robin: I agree. Things always have a way of working themselves out
I think the best thing to do is to plan a wedding that doesn’t need a wedding planner or a coordinator. They make their money by encouraging you to plan a wedding so complicated you need them or by scaring you into thinking you can’t possibly plan a wedding because of all the “things” you “have” to have.
I wanted a DOC, but FMIL has nixed it. And the in laws are paying for most of the wedding (even though I’m doing the planning. “You should be able to count on your BMs to take of coordinating all of this stuff for you,” FMIL said. Of course, not two minutes later she said “But of course you can’t ask FSIL or MOH to do stuff because they will be too busy with their children.” Both have babies under 6 mos. and FSIL has a 4 year old as well.
Nope, not bitter at all…
@Amber: If that’s the type of wedding you would like to have, I think that’s definitely the way to go. It’s just not how our is going down.
@Professor: Aw I’m sorry. Can you add a “DOC” to your wedding party?
My coordinator is included in the venue price! We’re getting the deal of a lifetime and she’s great! In fact yesterday she ran out to Hobby Lobby for me (I’m an hour away from the closest one SAD DAY) and did a mock up of a centerpiece!
@Anchors: That’s so awesome! I bet it feels soo good to have such a team player!
We’re getting a DOC because I didn’t want my friends/family to be worked to death on day of - I want them to enjoy the party!!
I agree that Brenda is fabu!
You should keep the tradition alive and pick up your own cake!! =p Have a DOC is a great idea.
I have a bad way of getting stressed out, so FI was on all board for a planner to be there and make sure our wedding day was as stress free as possible.
lol poor hot wings the cake deliverer! i think a doc is a good idea! she looks like she can handle everything! that said, i still dont have one..urgh.. but am still debating..
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Hot Wings, Chicago/San Diego Age and Occupation: 28, Professor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Instructor Engagement Date: December 20, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2010 Venue: Ocean View Villas/Jasmine Seafood Restaurant About Me: I am a psychology grad student living in Chicago and planning my wedding to a fellow psych grad student. I am a Sunny So-Cal bred gal who trudged across the country to follow her love of psychology and ended up finding a partner in the process. I am overly passionate about anything I involve myself with. I am an activist, a foodie, a reality TV watching junkie, an over-analyzer, a photography obsesser, and am utterly cheesy to the core. This is a story of what happens when a boy and a girl meet, fall in love over academic dorkiness, and a shared love for life. We (mostly I) are planning our semi-destination wedding in my hometown of San Diego. We are excited to bring our families and friends together from across our lifespans to celebrate our future in a grand 400+ person culturally blended affair!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics