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…you get sites that lead you to these types of questions:
(Source)
Unfortunately, I was not looking for questions to ask this type of doc.
I was looking for questions to ask this type of DOC!
A day of coordinator, of course! Wait…is it “of course?” In wedding world it is. All us insane, obsessed, and slightly deranged brides-to-be know the acronyms for everything from FH to DOC. We know that calling someone a BM is not an insult, and we love looking at STDs. But some folks don’t know what a DOC is…even when it’s spelled out for them.
Check out this gchat convo with Bridesmaid Bunny. I love her.
me: I’m researching day of coordinators now.
Bunny: Ooh, what are those?
me: Instead of like, a total planner. It’s someone who runs the day of and the rehearsal, but normally they start working with you a couple of months out. They confirm all your vendors, take care of payment and tips, run the show, and generally make life stress free.
Bunny: Ha. I didn’t even know there is such a thing. Sounds amazing. How much are they? You know what you could do if you wanted to go cheap? Get an intern. How funny would that be? A wedding intern.
me: Haha. I found a few between 975 and like 1400.
Bunny: Hmm. That seems like a lot. God, I would do it for that much.
me: Well, they are there like 9 hours on the day of the wedding, at least 3 hours the day before, plus other meetings, phone calls, and stuff ahead of time. So it works out to like $75 an hour or so.
Bunny: Hmm, OK. Maybe i need a new job. I am organized, diplomatic yet bitchy when needed.
Just a reality check: wedding world is a fun place but not necessarily a NORMAL place.
Anyway, turns out questions to ask a medical doc and a wedding DOC are about the same.
See? Medical doctor and DOC. Same, same.
Are you using a DOC? Did you pay for one or is someone you know and love doing it for free? What do you think a reasonable rate for a DOC is?
I got very lucky and a close friend offered right off the bat when she found out I wanted to DIY my wedding (rentals, caterer, no catering hall/package deal) and she’s been great. There are times when I wish she’d do more or act more quickly/toroughly on things, but I have to remind myself that she isn’t being paid for this. She’s doing it as my wedding gift and because she cares.
I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end, plus she knows me so well we can just hash out ideas without having to explain why I feel this way or that.
This post made me laugh out loud in my office!!
We didn’t have an official DOC, because our venue coordinator functioned as one for us. She was irreplaceable and am sooo happy we had her.
I think our DOC charged right around that, maybe slightly less but she wasn’t a pro, she was just someone my mom found through word of mouth who was very, very organized!
our venue provides one as well, I hope it is enough because I don’t want to stress about set-up or little annoyances on the wedding day. As far as a DOC goes, I have seen them for around $500 at a bridal fair I went to. Check around, $75/hr seems like a lot to me.
We had a BMs sister step up to the plate after realizing we needed one and seeing how much they were. If you can find a kind-of friend who is willing to do it, it might make your life easier! But, then, as with all friendors, you might feel bad bugging him/her.
(Incidentally never seen a him, but I’m sure they’re out there!)
Before we even knew if we wanted a DOC, it was decided for us. No room in the budget and I need to be in control. Our venue has a catering manager who’ll serve as the coordinator on the big stuff the day of.
Hello, McDreamy. We budgeted for a DOC to be my point person the day of, and also to have an “outsider” run interference in case any of our…delicate…family situations arise. I didn’t want to put any of my friends in an uber awkward position!
Best decision we every made was to hire a coordinator! she was a bit of a budget buster but the help we’ve received from her has been worth her weight in gold and has actually helped us save money since we’re not spending money on unnecessary things.
I am so undecided on that! On one hand I could really use the help, on the other hand I don’t need that much help as I’m doing so much myself that I think they charge too much for what they’ll actually be doing for me! Am not thinking too much about that now, will revise in a couple of months…
I wish i could be more helpful but I will say that some venues come with a DOC. Mine does, and she’s included in the price. That being said, I had NO IDEA how expensive they are. I don’t know what your budget is, but I would advise you to get a really good, trustworthy friend/bridesmaid/mother to take care of phone calls, tips, vendors, etc… and you won’t need a DOC.
My DOC is only $600, but we aren’t using her for the rehearsal since there is a coordinator at the Church who will be organizing that. It was a necessity for me since my reception is largely DIY so I need someone to set everything up and once I found out a day of time line was included I was sold. Since I was referred by another bride I have gotten an unlimited number of vendor referrals and have been able to take advantage of the discounts vendors offer her clients which has been great for my budget.
Very long story short, we live overseas so instead of burdening our friends and family with doing the dirty work we decided to hire someone. We looked at two planners and the first, her rate was going to be 10% of our final budget which to me seemed that she would want to push our budget up so she would make more. We didn’t go with her. The second one (who we went with) had a flat rate, and from the start she said give me your budget and we will work within it, we are still 18 months away from our wedding but she has already been well worth the money. She is taking my ideas and pulling them altogether and really taking it from great to OMIGOD gorgeous!
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Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NC Age and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Researcher Engagement Date: December 1, 2009 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Barn at Valhalla About Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
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