Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind

August 25th, 2011 @ 10:56 am by Mrs. Sparkler
Share

Hi… remember me? Yep, Miss Sparkler is alive. Hard to believe, I know. I’m sure you thought I’d been swept away into a black hole of wedding insanity since I’ve been horribly MIA these past few days.

Peace of Mind : wedding chicago 111 11

Ahhhh! Sparkler black hole! (Space image via ZME Science)

I guess (in a way) I really did get swept away into wedding planning. All of a sudden, things have to be done NOW. As in, “Maybe we should have done this yesterday.” It’s pretty stressful, but I’m surviving it because of one amazing decision I made a looooong time ago. Back when wedding planning consisted of matching pretty colors together in my mind. What decision could be big enough that it’s single-handedly keeping me from going crazy?

The Wedding Planner.

Or, more specifically: The Day-Of Coordinator. Although, this chica has definitely done much, MUCH more than promise to be there when I walk down the aisle. Who’s the dream team we hired?

Peace of Mind : wedding chicago 221 22

Image via the lola web site

Lauren from Lola Event Productions is pretty much amazing. Even though Sparks and I only had enough money in our budget for the most affordable Lola package, you would think we paid them a million dollars. At our last meeting, Lauren sat us down and broke up the entire wedding weekend into… wait for it… 10. Minute. Increments.

Yeah, have you done that yet? It was intense. But SO helpful. Before our meeting with Lauren, this is what the Sparkler timeline looked like:

Friday: Rehearsal dinner

Saturday: Get married

…we’re very focused, what can I say? Obviously we were in need of serious help. And we’re definitely getting that from Lola. But more importantly, I feel like we’re getting peace of mind. Having someone else know exactly where everyone is supposed to be, and where everything is supposed to go is SO freeing, you guys! So I felt like I had to pop in and say, if you are even THINKING about hiring a DOC or planner… heck, if you can throw some change in a jar and save for one… DO IT! Trust me, it will be so worth it as your big day approaches.

Anyone else super happy they hired a DOC? If you didn’t, who are you relying on to help you execute your wedding-day vision?

Tags: chicago |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

9 Responses to “Peace of Mind”

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,174 posts, Honey bee

I met with our DOC last night, and I always leave our meetings knowing that the money we spent on her services was worth every single penny.

8/25/11 @ 11:07 am (reply)

Member

TamJam (message) 208 posts, Helper bee

I agree! This was one thing that we had to find the money for. Saving change in a jar is a great idea..it adds up!

8/25/11 @ 11:24 am (reply)

Member

mkewed2010 (message) 508 posts, Busy bee

I wish i was that lucky with my DOC. It almost has caused me more stress to have a DOC than if I hadn’t I wasn’t as fortunate as you are to have someone make up my schedule (even though thats in my pkg).

8/25/11 @ 11:45 am (reply)

Guest

jane

I’ve hired a DOC but I still don’t really understand what she will be doing that will be worth all the money! I’ve already made a whole schedule myself. What have all of yours done?

8/25/11 @ 11:48 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Ladyfingers (message) 1,119 posts, Bumble bee

We didn’t have it in our budget to hire a DOC, but we TOTALLY lucked out because our already crazy affordable caterer includes free DOC services for weddings of over 50 guests. Yeah, that blocking out the day in increments stuff is really intense - but it made us feel sooooo much better having somebody capable handling that. Or else people would be eating cupcakes before the ceremony and there’d be a garter toss during dinner and the DJ would set up in the parking lot. I can only imagine.

8/25/11 @ 12:45 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Ladyfingers (message) 1,119 posts, Bumble bee

@jane: I can’t speak for others, but our DOC/catering manager is greeting all vendors, making sure they show up when they say they’re going to show up, carting our stuff from their office (where we’ll drop it off before the wedding) to the venue, setting up the room, decorating everything per our instructions, making sure everything happens when it’s supposed to, making sure we eat (!), breaking down the room, and cleaning up. And that’s just to our knowledge.

8/25/11 @ 12:47 pm (reply)

Member

lisamarieloves (message) 446 posts, Helper bee

I am dying to get a DOC!

8/25/11 @ 1:10 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Teacup (message) 621 posts, Busy bee

OMG - I found my DOC today! So happy, I can’t wait to turn this mess of wedding planning over to her to deal with

8/26/11 @ 12:42 am (reply)

Member

stephbonthego (message) 687 posts, Busy bee

We are very fortunate. My FH’s cousin is not only playing violin for our ceremony, she has offered to handle the DOC responsbilities for us!!

At first I was very resistant to this, not because I didn’t think she would do a good job (because I know she’d be fabulous! She is very detail-oriented and calm) but rather because it is so important to me that all of our guests are just that. Guests.

We have found a very creative solution that eases our budget woes, doesn’t step on the toes of well-meaning cousins but makes my heart smile more. I am part of a developing DOC co-op! ((We’re having our first meeting tonight! yay))

My thought now is to have my co-op bride assist Cousin A so that she won’t be stuck with all of the responsibilities. We are so happy with this decision and I think it will equate to a win all around.

9/2/11 @ 1:13 pm (reply)