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I didn't have one and we did just fine... However, the programs didn't get put where I wanted them to (bummer), and the lavender was placed differently on the tables than I wanted.
In the broad scheme of things, do those two things matter at all? Heck no... But they bugged me to no end for a while :)
If you are the type of person where those little things won't matter, I'll bet you do just fine without a DOC!
We didn't have one. Our reception venue was a restaurant so they were used to setting up dinner and organizing it though so I'm not sure if that is why things were fine.
I am not going to have one, I cant imagine paying someone to tell people what to do, i have to trust that everyone knows their role and will come through.
I think it depends on your financial situation and what kind of person you are?? Some ladies don't want another person "overseeing" or "controlling" the event as it happens. However, other ladies can get really stressed out with all the fine details and really appreciate the time to relax. For me, b/c of financial reasons and the size of our wedding, we're not having a DOC (30 people event and budget of $2000).
I say go for it if you have the money and want someone there to make sure everything goes smoothly w/o you stressing. Also it's beneficial for after the reception, they can coordinate what happens to the leftover cake and where the gifts should go, etc.
I am not having one but I also have a large family with very supportive women that are all pulling through!
Thanks ladies! beekiss2 - you're right, I would probably appreciate being stress-free on the day-of. @ bohemianbailie - I wish I had a bunch of very supportive, responsible women to pull through. I do have a very helpful mother and very responsible bridesmaids, you guys think that's enough? :)
I'm not having one. It might have been nice to have someone to oversee everything, but in the end we decided it wasn't worth the cost. I've never actually been to a wedding that did have a coordinator, but I've never seen anything go terribly wrong. So yeah, if you're on a budget that would be one of the first things I would cut.
I am not having one! I don't really see the point! The venue coordinator will set everything up and accept all deliveries. Do you have someone at your venue that will do that for you?
@AmberEyes: I would not depend on your mother or bridesmaids to do setup on the location or anything like that. They are going to have to be getting ready before the wedding just like you.
Hi,
I think it depends on your venue. We had a wedding at a small vineyard, where it was pretty much do it yourself for set up and tear down. We had family members who were fantastic and just went with the flow to help out. I (MOB) couldn't have done it all by myself-for the tear down, especially, because we had at least wash the dishes at the end of the night. Caterer got things mixed up-and put cake out on the glass dishware instead of using the clear plastic plates and forks for dessert. We had to box up all the wine glasses and clear the tables, including clearing off candles and linens. It seemed much easier to set up in the day, plus we had loads of time for that because we basically had the place to ourselves all day, and the wedding was in the evening. We were able to leave other things undone at 10pm, like getting the shepherd's hooks with hanging lanterns out of the ground when we returned the next morning. But if you have a restaurant venue- like MsAB had, then you would be all set. Really think about how many people you are expecting, what/how much will need to be cleaned up and put in boxes, and loaded up, and how much family members can/will do. We only had 60 people total. Perhaps you or somebody you know students who would be willing to make a few $ to show up and help out?
@ MissAsB - very good point, I considered that but I thought they could double-duty. Probably best not to impose such responsibilities on them. Thank you! And thank you rlsulli for the advice, I may just search for someone on craig's list to do the day-of coordination at a discounted price.
If your mother is on board with what needs to happen and you have supportive bm's I think it will be fine.
we're not going to have one. we have the banquet coordinator at the golf club and also one of my "lil sisters" is going to be running around between the church and reception site making sure everything gets done right! ;)
i've spoken to a few co-workers, who say they're not necessary if i've got all the planning done and have friends not invovlved in the wedding that can help out that day, so that's the route im taking instead of paying someone $1500.
I think a DOC is not a necessity, but I would make sure that someone is put in charge that day. I also agree that moms and bridesmaids are not the right person for the coordinator job because they will be very busy that day.
missjyc- I am having a DOC and I can tell you that she is not costing me $1500. My DOC is charging me $600 and she has been in the business succesfully for 4 years. There are all kinds of prices out there for DOCs.
We aren't hiring one either. I'm a little nervous about it because we're doing an at-home reception in my in-laws backyard, which means we can't rely on the venue staff to take care of things. My mom is enlisting a few of her good friends and assigning them to specific tasks - for example, one woman is in charge of setting the tables with the place settings, another is in charge of putting together the centerpieces, etc. I think it will be fine...but we probably couldn't get our complicated set up completely done by just relying on moms and BMs.
We aren't having one either. There is a woman at the church who is their "wedding planner" - she doesn't do much... and there is a guy who runs the hall & catering -he will decorate the room for us. I'm going to give the reception guy LOTS of sketches & go with it. No DOC for us.
i'm not having one.. really, that's what my girls are for.. to make sure that if something goes wrong, just drag me somewhere else til someone fixes it.. lol i trust them enough to help me deal!
We aren't having one either. Both our church and our reception venue come with coordinators, so I don't see the need to add anyone else into the mix.
My venue has no bridal suite, which means me, my mom, and my maids will be in a hotel getting ready. Because I can't physically be at the venue, I hired a coordinator to check in all the vendors and keep things on schedule.
I found her on craigslist for less than $300.
Do it!
we arent having one just an extra cost and either way things might still go wrong the difference i think a doc will smooth it out or else your mom or someone else can do the same thing as her :) good luck :)
My mom really wanted to have a DOC, but I do not think we need one. As others stated, it depends on your venue; our venue has a very responsive and organized coordinator that can handle the job of making things run smoothly. My mom did meet with a DOC before I convinced her we did not need one, and the woman provided her with a relatively short list of "Why you need a DOC". My favorite one: "to make sure the mother of the bride is not in the bathroom during the father/daughter dance". Seriously? Really, I think a grown woman can make sure she uses the restroom at appropriate times! I told my mom that if she can handle timing her potty breaks, we could do without a DOC!
If you're hesitant, it's free to meet with one for a consultation. Check it out and see what you think!
I'm sure plenty of people wouldn't go without, but we're not having a DOC. I'm a little nervous about getting all our "personal" items set up - guest book, favors, programs, candy buffet, candles, menu cards etc. but I'm splitting them up between caterer, florist & bridesmaids. I've still got to work out the details but other than that the only thing I'd need someone for is the processional. How will the string quartet know when to start playing/switch songs/when to walk... we'll figure it out!
I am still unsure as to if we are going to be having one or not, but I think it is a good alternative if you want to save money and don't want to hire an actual wedding planner. I don't really want to be worried about the details of the day, and don't want my family to worry either, so I think it could be a good alternative idea.
No coordinator for me. The hotel will have a site coordinator and I will be organized about everything so I don't have to worry- get a schedule of thr day to everyone who needs it and a list of contact numbers for the vendors on hand.
I'm having a Month Of coordinator, who is also available for consultations throughout the entire process, but letting me do most of the legwork. I think it's a good idea just because I don't want to be bothered during the wedding and I also don't want to rely on my family members and bridal party to deal with the problems either. They are not trained to handle mistakes or flubs or whatever that could come up and I don't want them stressed either. I want ALL my guests to have a great time and be catered to - I don't want anyone from my bridal party doing anything but having a good time with me and my new hubby! If that means shelling out a few bucks to make sure nothing goes wrong (even on the off-chance nothing does happen) it will be really nice to know that someone is there who has my best interests.
My venue does have a coordinator, but I'm pretty sure she is only in charge of making sure the catering stuff is handled well and to work with the DOC. I don't think she'll be around to make sure all the decorations and other vendors arrive and are in position when needed.
As most everyone has said, you don't *need* a DOC, but I was glad to have one. She was a "month-of" coordinator and did things like creating a detailed timeline of the whole day, running the rehearsal, and calling all of my vendors two weeks ahead of time to make sure everyone was on the same page. She helped preserve my sanity and I didn't have to worry about making sure things were getting done. Here's a list of services provided by my DOC (not that we needed or used them all); if you decide not to have one, just make sure you think through all of the things that will need to be done by somebody(ies). I believe she charged $850 to basically be on call for the month of the wedding, plus a couple hours the day before for the rehearsal and many hours the day of. For me, it was money very well spent! (and I'm cheap)
PLANNING
Unlimited Phone Calls and Emails
Prepare Detailed Wedding Day Timeline
Prepare Rehearsal Outline for Wedding Party
Prepare Vendor Contact Information
Phone each Vendor to Confirm Setup Time and Services
Confirm with Vendors Date, Time and Location of Events
Address Questions, Directions and Delivery with Each Vendor
Email or Fax Wedding Day Timeline to Vendors
Email or Fax Wedding Day Timeline to Wedding Party
Email Rehearsal Outline and Reminder to Wedding Party
Confirm Receipt of Wedding Day Timeline
Review Vendor Final Payments
COORDINATION
Welcome Vendors, Wedding Party and Guests to Ceremony
Supervise Setup of Ceremony Rentals
Supervise Setup of Ceremony Flowers
Supervise and Direct Photographer and Videographer Setup
Supervise Setup of Musicians and Vocalist
Coordinate with Ceremony Location Coordinator
Arrange Guestbook Table and Programs
Set-up of Unity Candle and/or Memorial Candles
Advise Guestbook and Program Attendants
Advise Ushers of Proper Seating of Special Guests and Family
Coordinate Pre Ceremony Photos with Photographer
Distribute Flowers to Wedding Party and Family Members
Pin Boutonnières and Corsages on Wedding Party and Family
Assist Wedding Party with Last Minute Details and/or Changes
Confirm Possession of Rings Prior to Ceremony
Supervise Vendor and Facility Setup
Transfer Guest Book from Ceremony to Reception
Set up Sign In Table with Guest Book at Reception
Set up Bridal Portrait and Engagement Photos
Set up Cake Table with Toasting Flutes and Cake Cutting Set
Set up Table Numbers, Escort Cards and Place Cards
Set out Favors, Candles and Menus on Guest Tables
Additional Setup by Bride Associates as Discussed in Contract
Line Up Bridal Party and Family for Processional
Cue Musicians for Entrance of Processional
Make Sure Bridal Party and Family’s Attire are in Place
Cue Bridal Party and Family to Enter into Ceremony
Straighten Veil and Bustle Bride’s Gown
Assist with Late Arrivals/Distractions that Disrupt Ceremony
Be Prepared with Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Line up all Bridal Party for Announcements at Reception
Maintain & Coordinate Time Line for All Events
Cue Bride & Groom, Best Man, and Parents for Special Events
Deliver Final Payments and Tips to Vendors If Applicable
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I was thinking of not having a Day-of-Coordinator, to save money. Although if you ladies recommend it's a necessity, then we will look into hiring one. Please share your thoughts? Thanks!