I am not sure in hiring a wedding day coordinator. Is it worth hiring one or can I just let a friend coordinate it for me. Should I just make a timeline of how should the day go?
If there is one thing I wish I would have had, it was a day-off coordinator-and I had a small wedding (50 guests, including bridal party). Husband-to-be ended up wearing that hat, and while he was great, I wish he would have been able to relax. I would not have had a friend do it, my friends wanted to be with me, getting ready and fussing over hair and make-up. If you are going to use a friend, make it one you aren't really close to, but someone who cares if your wedding goes well.
A big consideration is how big your wedding is and how many things need to be set up. If you have a lot of details to your wedding or many locations involved, i would definitely recommend you get a DOC.
I thought I wouldn't need one until I actually sat down and drew out a timeline of the day's events. Everything from setting up the reserved seating signs to how long it takes me to shower! The list was longer than the hours in the day, so I hired a former employee to be my DOC. I've worked with her and trust her judgement completely so it was a no brainer since she wouldn't otherwise have been invited to the ceremony! Bonus: she's bringing along a friend as extra hands for nothing!
you need one. every bride does. designating to a friend can strain the relationship and is A LOT TO PUT ON SOMEONE, no matter how small the wedding.
There are so many logistics that go on at a wedding. It's a pain having people come up to you for answers when you should be enjoying your day. Spend the cash and get a coordinator. It is worth the investment. It was the first thing I did and I am so happy I did because not only can I now relax, but so can my mom and girlfriends!
Originally, I wasn't planning on having one, but similar to what Liz said above, I realized that I needed one after I sat down to look at what I would need set up at the reception. There are so many little things that need to be done, and I really want us, our bridal party, and families to relaxon that day.
The wiki has some links to why some of the Bees have hired DOCs: http://wiki.weddingbee.com/Day_of_coordinator
We were going to hire a DOC, but hired a full planner instead (the price was right). The ability to relax on that day is worth every penny to me and my family.
I didn't have one & my wedding had about 100 guests. Our reception venue was top notch and took care of everything on their end, for everything else I enlisted cousins to help (bring the flowers from my house to church, etc).
I wouldn't say that every bride needs a coordinator. We had a small wedding (40 people), kept everything simple, and let the day flow as it would. A coordinator would've been wasted on me.
That said, if you feel like you need someone to coordinate the day, hire someone- don't make a friend do it since it would probably be a lot to ask. A relative, maybe, if they volunteer.
Hiring a day of coordinator can really help reduce your stress level on your wedding day but it is not absolutely necessary. Make sure to interview several vendors and contact their references. Definitely meet them in person if possible. We were planning from out of state and had to hire many of our vendors sight unseen.
I was determined to hire a DOC so my family and I could relax (230+ guests). I just wished I would have been more careful with my selection. We hired a day of coordination team (husband/wife) and although our reception looked beautiful they really dropped the ball on some things that I unfortunately caught wind of and stressed over. I was so particular with my other vendors but slacked on the DOC selection and got what I paid for...
I didn't need one. Our wedding was 150 guests. I had very few DIYs. My DJ handled a lot of it, along with the florist, venue, and priest at the church. Nobody in my wedding party or my family had to "play" DOC. It depends on how much day of stuff you have. Actually in my area I haven't met anybody that uses one.
I think that it really depends. How much will your venue do for you? If you are going the more DIY route (bringing in your own decor and setting it up yourself) then I think it might be valuable to hire one. If you are going less DIY (having a florist do centerpieces, having the site coordinator set things up) then I don't think there is any need to hire a day of coordinator.
Thank you for all the replies. I am actually having 150 guests. A lot of tasks will be done with the help of cousins and friends. Actually, it was my friend that decided that she will be the coordinator. But isn't it too much task to handle? From ceremony to the reception. She said she has no problem doing it...
I think if you hire a dj that is used to doing weddings he will handle the timeline of the reception and make things flow and as far as the ceremony, get a friend to help out that is married and has been through it. I just asked a friend and she is so honored and I know she will make sure we walk down the aisle at the right moment and if the florist is running late she can handle it hte day of. Save your money for some place else!
It depends on how detailed and planned out your wedding is going to be.
I have a day of coordinator, but since I am the type of bride to be super organized and super detailed, she won't have a problem following the schedule that I've made for her. If your friend can boss people around and make sure everything is good to go even when there are last minute changes, then she should be fine! :)
Definetly get a DOC - how much is your sanity worth? It was by far the BEST SPENT MONEY IN OUR WEDDING! Seriously our coordinator was phenomenial, she went over everything with all the vendors and was able to avoid any mix ups on the day of. Its alot to put on a friend, especially when they wont have ALL the information. I think weddings get too chaotic without one, but then again if your wedding is small then it would work!
Let me start by saying that I am a wedding planner ...
For my last wedding I arrived at 11:00am and didn't leave until 1:00am and I was on my feet almost the whole time. This was with a wedding where there was a vendor providing every service.
Here is an idea of what is typically involved/offer by a wedding coordinator.
The week of call all the vendors and coordinator deliveries and arrival times. Create a day-of schedule for the bride.
Rehearsal - handle and arrange rehearsal and all particapants.
Day of: pick up rental items, handle all calls/questions from vendors, run errands for bride and family, do any decorating or DIY items, place items needed during ceremony, supervise other vendors to assure accuracy, handle any and all emergencies as they arise.
During the reception collect bridal couple and family for each event (cake cutting, garter, etc). Give each vendor a 5 minute heads up so that they are ready to play music, announce, photo, video, etc. Repeat 5 - 7 times. Answer questions from vendors and guests.
Clean up and remove all personal items after ceremony and reception.
All that being said - a good friend could handle this for you. Just make sure they are organized and can take control when needed. A really small wedding (under 40) you may decide you don't need one. However, if your ceremony is complicated, lots of participants, etc you may want to think about one. Same thing for the reception, for every event you will need someone to make sure that all participants and vendors are present. I hope this gives you some things to think about. Feel free to ask questions.
we decided to hire a planner/ DOC because she sort of fell into our laps. in hindsight, we definitely did NOT need a planner... we are both super into planning everything ourselves & second guess everything, so she was wasted there & we ended up not using her expertise for most of the decisions (not to mention she does not live where the wedding is taking place, nor did she have experience with any weddings here). however, we are still having her as a DOC, and the closer we get, the more relaxed i feel knowing my mom/ moh/ sisters/ etc dont have WORK on my wedding day. for example, setting up the centerpieces or leaving the rehearsal early to meet the caterer for the RD, or making sure the gifts get back to our apartment after the reception. our wedding is @10am, and that only adds to the fact that there is no "free" time throughout the day for people to pitch in to get things ready. everyone in the wedding that would traditionally help will be getting themselves ready for the ceremony! there are a few awkward things about having a DOC (do you really want someone "herding" around your relatives?) but there are also a ton of benefits, depending on your situation (someone your relatives dont know might be able to convince them that yes, they really do have to go watch the cake cutting, now!!!). hopefully everything will go smoothly & our friends & family will all be relaxed day of.
A professional planner will have a backup plan or have someone to call in case something goes wrong or people don't show up. They can rectify situations as they arise..If you have a friend or family member helping you do this, they may miss an event or something if it requires them to be away.
There's a wedding coordinator at the church and the reception coordinator is handling everything else. My parents will provide direction and be the contact the day of the wedding, and we're having friends and family transport things. I may be naive, but I don't see why I would need one. My cousin's wife is around for us in case of emergencies. I can honestly said I have never been to a wedding with a DOC, that I know of.
I am not sure in hiring a wedding day coordinator. Is it worth hiring one or can I just let a friend coordinate it for me. Should I just make a timeline of how should the day go?
posted by lyka168 18 posts 5 months agoIf there is one thing I wish I would have had, it was a day-off coordinator-and I had a small wedding (50 guests, including bridal party). Husband-to-be ended up wearing that hat, and while he was great, I wish he would have been able to relax. I would not have had a friend do it, my friends wanted to be with me, getting ready and fussing over hair and make-up. If you are going to use a friend, make it one you aren't really close to, but someone who cares if your wedding goes well.
posted by Niki 432 posts 5 months agoA big consideration is how big your wedding is and how many things need to be set up. If you have a lot of details to your wedding or many locations involved, i would definitely recommend you get a DOC.
posted by stressgirl615 234 posts 5 months agoI thought I wouldn't need one until I actually sat down and drew out a timeline of the day's events. Everything from setting up the reserved seating signs to how long it takes me to shower! The list was longer than the hours in the day, so I hired a former employee to be my DOC. I've worked with her and trust her judgement completely so it was a no brainer since she wouldn't otherwise have been invited to the ceremony! Bonus: she's bringing along a friend as extra hands for nothing!
posted by Lizliterarius 34 posts 5 months agoyou need one. every bride does. designating to a friend can strain the relationship and is A LOT TO PUT ON SOMEONE, no matter how small the wedding.
There are so many logistics that go on at a wedding. It's a pain having people come up to you for answers when you should be enjoying your day. Spend the cash and get a coordinator. It is worth the investment. It was the first thing I did and I am so happy I did because not only can I now relax, but so can my mom and girlfriends!
posted by glittergrl 322 posts 5 months agoOriginally, I wasn't planning on having one, but similar to what Liz said above, I realized that I needed one after I sat down to look at what I would need set up at the reception. There are so many little things that need to be done, and I really want us, our bridal party, and families to relaxon that day.
posted by Joanne 147 posts 5 months agoThe wiki has some links to why some of the Bees have hired DOCs: http://wiki.weddingbee.com/Day_of_coordinator
We were going to hire a DOC, but hired a full planner instead (the price was right). The ability to relax on that day is worth every penny to me and my family.
posted by rebecca 989 posts 5 months agoI didn't have one & my wedding had about 100 guests. Our reception venue was top notch and took care of everything on their end, for everything else I enlisted cousins to help (bring the flowers from my house to church, etc).
posted by psu01 73 posts 5 months agoI wouldn't say that every bride needs a coordinator. We had a small wedding (40 people), kept everything simple, and let the day flow as it would. A coordinator would've been wasted on me.
That said, if you feel like you need someone to coordinate the day, hire someone- don't make a friend do it since it would probably be a lot to ask. A relative, maybe, if they volunteer.
posted by peihan17 222 posts 5 months agoHiring a day of coordinator can really help reduce your stress level on your wedding day but it is not absolutely necessary. Make sure to interview several vendors and contact their references. Definitely meet them in person if possible. We were planning from out of state and had to hire many of our vendors sight unseen.
I was determined to hire a DOC so my family and I could relax (230+ guests). I just wished I would have been more careful with my selection. We hired a day of coordination team (husband/wife) and although our reception looked beautiful they really dropped the ball on some things that I unfortunately caught wind of and stressed over. I was so particular with my other vendors but slacked on the DOC selection and got what I paid for...
Best of luck to you!
posted by megs08 64 posts 5 months agoI didn't need one. Our wedding was 150 guests. I had very few DIYs. My DJ handled a lot of it, along with the florist, venue, and priest at the church. Nobody in my wedding party or my family had to "play" DOC. It depends on how much day of stuff you have. Actually in my area I haven't met anybody that uses one.
posted by Candi1024 304 posts 5 months agoI think that it really depends. How much will your venue do for you? If you are going the more DIY route (bringing in your own decor and setting it up yourself) then I think it might be valuable to hire one. If you are going less DIY (having a florist do centerpieces, having the site coordinator set things up) then I don't think there is any need to hire a day of coordinator.
posted by dahlia 117 posts 5 months agoThank you for all the replies. I am actually having 150 guests. A lot of tasks will be done with the help of cousins and friends. Actually, it was my friend that decided that she will be the coordinator. But isn't it too much task to handle? From ceremony to the reception. She said she has no problem doing it...
posted by lyka168 18 posts 5 months agoI think if you hire a dj that is used to doing weddings he will handle the timeline of the reception and make things flow and as far as the ceremony, get a friend to help out that is married and has been through it. I just asked a friend and she is so honored and I know she will make sure we walk down the aisle at the right moment and if the florist is running late she can handle it hte day of. Save your money for some place else!
posted by fallgirly 51 posts 5 months agoIt depends on how detailed and planned out your wedding is going to be.
I have a day of coordinator, but since I am the type of bride to be super organized and super detailed, she won't have a problem following the schedule that I've made for her. If your friend can boss people around and make sure everything is good to go even when there are last minute changes, then she should be fine! :)
posted by pumpupthebass 5 posts 5 months agoDefinetly get a DOC - how much is your sanity worth? It was by far the BEST SPENT MONEY IN OUR WEDDING! Seriously our coordinator was phenomenial, she went over everything with all the vendors and was able to avoid any mix ups on the day of. Its alot to put on a friend, especially when they wont have ALL the information. I think weddings get too chaotic without one, but then again if your wedding is small then it would work!
Good Luck!
posted by jhearta 93 posts 5 months agoLet me start by saying that I am a wedding planner ...
For my last wedding I arrived at 11:00am and didn't leave until 1:00am and I was on my feet almost the whole time. This was with a wedding where there was a vendor providing every service.
Here is an idea of what is typically involved/offer by a wedding coordinator.
The week of call all the vendors and coordinator deliveries and arrival times. Create a day-of schedule for the bride.
Rehearsal - handle and arrange rehearsal and all particapants.
Day of: pick up rental items, handle all calls/questions from vendors, run errands for bride and family, do any decorating or DIY items, place items needed during ceremony, supervise other vendors to assure accuracy, handle any and all emergencies as they arise.
During the reception collect bridal couple and family for each event (cake cutting, garter, etc). Give each vendor a 5 minute heads up so that they are ready to play music, announce, photo, video, etc. Repeat 5 - 7 times. Answer questions from vendors and guests.
Clean up and remove all personal items after ceremony and reception.
All that being said - a good friend could handle this for you. Just make sure they are organized and can take control when needed. A really small wedding (under 40) you may decide you don't need one. However, if your ceremony is complicated, lots of participants, etc you may want to think about one. Same thing for the reception, for every event you will need someone to make sure that all participants and vendors are present. I hope this gives you some things to think about. Feel free to ask questions.
www.eventsbyelaine.homestead.com
posted by emredhead76 21 posts 5 months agowe decided to hire a planner/ DOC because she sort of fell into our laps. in hindsight, we definitely did NOT need a planner... we are both super into planning everything ourselves & second guess everything, so she was wasted there & we ended up not using her expertise for most of the decisions (not to mention she does not live where the wedding is taking place, nor did she have experience with any weddings here). however, we are still having her as a DOC, and the closer we get, the more relaxed i feel knowing my mom/ moh/ sisters/ etc dont have WORK on my wedding day. for example, setting up the centerpieces or leaving the rehearsal early to meet the caterer for the RD, or making sure the gifts get back to our apartment after the reception. our wedding is @10am, and that only adds to the fact that there is no "free" time throughout the day for people to pitch in to get things ready. everyone in the wedding that would traditionally help will be getting themselves ready for the ceremony! there are a few awkward things about having a DOC (do you really want someone "herding" around your relatives?) but there are also a ton of benefits, depending on your situation (someone your relatives dont know might be able to convince them that yes, they really do have to go watch the cake cutting, now!!!). hopefully everything will go smoothly & our friends & family will all be relaxed day of.
posted by piperbenjamin 247 posts 5 months agolyka168,
A professional planner will have a backup plan or have someone to call in case something goes wrong or people don't show up. They can rectify situations as they arise..If you have a friend or family member helping you do this, they may miss an event or something if it requires them to be away.
posted by JCM9608 470 posts 5 months agoThere's a wedding coordinator at the church and the reception coordinator is handling everything else. My parents will provide direction and be the contact the day of the wedding, and we're having friends and family transport things. I may be naive, but I don't see why I would need one. My cousin's wife is around for us in case of emergencies. I can honestly said I have never been to a wedding with a DOC, that I know of.
posted by jma19 364 posts 5 months ago