Weddingbee Blog

I love organizational devices and strategies, and I really, truly love the idea of being organized. It’s just not for me. It’s not in the cards. The fates are against me. And so on and so forth.

This is not what my office looks like.

That’s where a day of coordinator comes in.

Now, actually, I know a lot of women who are very organized. My mom, my step mom, my FMIL, and my work mom are all very organized ladies who could probably run a rehearsal and make sure the decor is set up properly, and the cake is there, and whatever else needs to be done is done. (I’m so disorganized, I’m not even sure what else there is to do!) But the problem is…I might, OK, WILL be a big ball of stress and sometimes that translates to bitchiness (in some individuals, I have heard), and the last thing I want to do on my wedding day is snap at a loved one.

Or slap a loved one. Yeesh, that would be super bad.

Sometimes, I think I have a tendency to take out my frustration on my loved ones. I think probably all humans do this. I am trying to be better. But all in all, I think it is wiser for me to hire a professional, someone who is familiar with the process, who I will not have to worry about directing and will make our wedding run smoothly. Oh, and since she isn’t someone I am super friendly with, I likely won’t snap at her…I save those fun moments for those I love. Sweet of me, ain’t it?

I interviewed a few DOCs. All three offered similar packages, but their prices varied from $900 to $1,400. I went to a bridal show to meet one, and I just was not that into her. She did not take the lead in asking me questions, but rather I had to gather information from her. The exchange was a bit socially awkward, and so even though she was the least expensive, I immediately nixed her.

Next, I talked to a lovely DOC whose package was $1,200. She was friendly and personable on the phone, and I felt like we would have clicked in person. But, she had never heard of the caterer we are likely going with, and she had never done a wedding at our site. Plus, she has the same name as me. I kept imagining confusion on the day of. People would say, “Ask Miss Magic if the pumpkins go on the right or the left,” and they wouldn’t know whether to ask me or her! She was an OK option, but I kept looking.

Finally, I spoke with Erin of Erin McLean Events. She’s the most expensive of the ones I contacted. (Granted, just three…I got lazy and decided a sample selection was all I needed. Go ahead, take away my Budget Bride membership card…again.) However, she was very personable on the phone. She has done three weddings at our site and knows all about it! AND, she has worked with our caterers before…she was raving about them and their servers! When I met her in person, I found her laid back but efficient. She has a lot of great ideas.

Here’s the best part, though!

I kept asking her, “OK, I’m not sure if this is included in the DOC package, but can I talk to you about the layout of the ceremony and reception? Or will there be an extra fee for that? What about colors? Is there an extra consultative fee for that?”

Other coordinators I had talked to had told me that their packages included only weekend-of services. If I wanted to discuss layout or colors or anything like that, there would be an extra consultative fee, which was usually $75 an hour. Erin seemed to think this was whack, and I totally agree.

That is whack. Just like crack.

So I plan on signing the contract and putting the deposit down this week. To me, this is like happiness insurance on our wedding day. And that, to me, is priceless.

Are you organized? Do you think it’s time I man up and admit that my budget wedding is, um, going a little over budget? No? Good, me neither!