Weddingbee boards

I depends on what job s/he is expected to do. Our venue has an on-site coordinator, but she's basically there to ensure everything venue-related goes smoothly, like table and chair set up, catering set up, making sure guests find the site, etc. Her duties don't go too far beyond that. We're hiring a DOC to handle decor, orchestrate the ceremony, etc. I would decide based on what, exactly, your hotel planner is able to provide.

I agree with the other commenters -- think about what you'd like a DOC to do, then talk to the hotel coordinator and see if those are responsibilities she's used to taking care of herself.  If so, you probably don't need a DOC in addition to your coordinator.

We did hire a DOC in addition to our venue coordinator, but our venue contract was very specific about what the coordinator would or wouldn't do -- in our case, the venue employee was basically there to make sure we followed the venue rules.  Our contract actually said that she was not responsible for any setup or assistance on the day of the wedding!  So a DOC was a terrific addition for us.  But in a setting with a more involved coordinator, I don't know that we would have needed one as much.

i just went through this difficult decision. i started by talking to several doc's and explained to them that i was trying to determine whether it was worth getting a doc. after talking to them, i absolutely believed that i should get a doc.  then i talked to my venue coordinator who said that i did not need one as she would be doing most of the things that a doc would do. but it varies from venue to venue.  for me it was helpful to speak to a doc because it gave me an idea of what i should ask my venue coordinator, but i don't think that's necessary.  if you want specifics on things that i wanted from my venue coordinator, feel free to pm me.