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Does your venue have an option for help with set up and clean up?
If not, you could look for a day of coordinator. If you explain your situation, they may be able to accommodate your budget.
Yes, my venue will set up tables and chairs but no decor and they won't clean up. I just would hate to come early in the morning to do a lot of work and then be exhausted by our evening wedding. I have looked into day of wedding consultants and I think beyond 200 is ridiculous.
I would check the classifieds and see if there are any planners in your area just starting out or working on the cheap right now. If you don't see any, post a want ad and see what happens.
I honestly think that everyone should have a DOC. You NEED to turn off your brain that day in order to enjoy it. I'm super organized and had all the planning done far in advance, and I still had a DOC to take over on the day-of so that I didn't have to worry about anything. I also didn't want friends or family to work that day, either, as it was also just as much about celebrating with them. It's honestly priceless.
The going rate for a DOC is usually a lot hight then $200. I have been finding that most are about $1500. Since you are a college student and on a tight budget, look on craigslist or your local newspaper. There should be people that are trying to get into the business and really want the experience over the money. Good luck with your search.
I think most bees don't have wedding planners, but a lot have DOCs. Mine is included with my venue, so I don't have advice on finding one, but I do think you should have someone else to take care of the details on the day of. What exactly do you need the DOC to do? If you minimize her responsibilities, you can negotiate better on the price. Is your venue/caterer taking care of the tables? Is your florist putting up the flowers? If not, maybe they can do this for an extra fee that would be cheaper than a DOC. In terms of other decor, how much do you actually need? I am not doing much at all - maybe no extra decor at all if I don't have time to plan it out.
Alternatively, can you set up on the day before? This would give you a chance to rest up before the wedding if you end up having to do it yourself.
I agree with Miss Chapstick. The cost of a DOC is priceless. I don't really think you are going to find one for $200, but try putting a request on the classifieds here. Maybe you will get lucky and someone just starting out will be able to do it for free or for a cost that you are willing to pay. DOC's really do a lot more than you think.
Nope...I wish I could set up the day before but I would have to pay an extra $600 to use the building the day before. I really would just feel more comfortable knowing that everything is running smoothly and on time. Thanks ladies, your advice is helpful!
I dont have an actual DOC, but a really really good friend of mine (who's not a bridesmaid) has agreed to basically fill that role on my wedding day. She's not charging me anything, although I am planning on a few gifts for her as a thank you... like having my photographer capture some shots of her twins that I can have framed etc. I wouldnt necessarily advise going with just any friend, but if you know of someone who has helped with the day-of set-up etc. for multiple weddings, they might be someone to look into asking for help. My particular friend has basically been the DOC for several weddings, at least four that I know of in the past two years. It may not be as good as a professional, but hey, at least I know I have someone who knows what she's doing to handle most of the stuff for my day. And to top it all off... she's free! :)
Yeah we are in the same boat. We can't afford $1000 for the day of wedding planner so I got a Bridal Buddy. I found another local gal you was getting married around the same time as I am and we are going to trade "day of services."
We both can't afford it and we both need it. Its a good trade.
That's a really good idea cwharrison. I'm sure another bride who has planned her wedding would be the perfect person next to a coordinator.
If I must say the areas you girls live in must have a higher demand for this services thus the high price. I am no where near $1000. To me that is really high for DOC. Good luck with all of your planning though and I hope all of you find what you are looking for.
I think since you are in college then you should maybe start there. Is there anyone in your school who throws great parties, loves to decorate and has a commanding presence that can get things done? Check all around your immediate environment first and you just may be surprised at what you find. Like the other bee said, sometimes you can find someone who is just getting started and can work on the cheap. You may even post a few flyers around campus stating that you need a coordinator or a DOC, there are always some people who know people. I hope this helps you and best of luck to you!
Don't have a planner or a DOC but I'm thinking about asking a close friend of mine to be a helper that day. I was going to ask my MOH do some things but I want her to be with me all day instead.
A local doc in your area I have heard about is www.topekaweddingdesigner.com
I heard about her from a KC wedding planning website. Let me know if you want the name of it. Has lots of reviews on lots of different things. I almost used her but just wasn't in the plan but her rates are extremely reasonable.
I have a friend who wants to get into event planning so she's doing mine for free, to help build an experience base and portfolio. Maybe you could post an add at your college and find someone who may want to do the same.
Im paying $1400 for mine, she is part of the venue and my wedding is in 6 wks and i have not met her yet but have an appt to meet her 2 wks before wedding, yikes!
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Are there any other brides who do not have a wedding planner/consultant. My wedding is in three months and I'm basically done with the planning, there are just small details that I would like help with. I also am kind of nervous about the day of. Who will set up decorations? Who will make sure everything is in order? Who will help clean up? I can't think of any family members that I trust to these tasks and the ones I do trust have a lot on their plates or they are in the bridal party.
I am a college student and so is my fiance and we are on a narrow budget. I don't have hundreds for a wedding planner? Am I alone? What would you do?