Post # 1
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
I need your input Bees!!! Opinions wanted!!!
I have been working in the Event Coordinating/Catering business for over five years now. I have a Bachelors degree in Event Management and Communication, during which time I worked for prestigious resorts in Scottsdale, Arizona in various Catering and VIP Relations positions. I moved about a year ago to the Pacific Northwest and currently work full-time at a great hotel in a Catering admin position. However, my plan has always been to get back in to weddings and all the amazing planning/coordinating that I have a passion (and talent!) for within the business… and at this point I have been unsuccessful in finding available positions in my city. The economy is recovering – but just not quite there yet for Event Coordinator businesses to bring on new Coordinators/Assistants. And, sadly there is no one in my social circle that is planning a wedding that I can help with at this time!
At this point I have personal references for a wedding and a destination bachelorette weekend that I coordinated for family friends. I have also started building a website that will be completed before I start offering my services that will detail who I am, pictures from the two events to showcase some of my work, pricing/packages, etc.
Since I currently have a full-time job that I do want to keep, I was hoping to just start with Day-of Coordinating Package with the usual 2-prior planning sessions, unlimited contact, rehearsal coordination and day-of coordination, vendor confirmation, etc. I am considering a special rate for the first two brides at a $100 and the next five brides at a significant discount as well (about $200-250).
So my question to you Bees: knowing that I do have plenty of experience in the Event Coordinating business (in fact, I’ve been planning events since I was in grade school practically with various birthday parties to socials), would you hire someone that was just starting out on their own for Day-of-Coordinating? And at the rates that I’m offering?
Post # 3
Member
602 posts
Busy bee
We’ve hired a DOC who is just starting out because she had experience with event coordination (like you), but was making the change into the wedding industry. We felt she was a good fit and her prices are really low.
Post # 4
Member
1330 posts
Bumble bee
wish you were closer to me! i’d would consider ya 😉 good luck!!
Post # 5
Member
7587 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@lovelyinlace: I just started too. I had lots of recommendations though from vendors I have dealt with while coordinating family friends events and corporate events. I have been advertising for one month and I already have 5 brides under contract and I am in discussions with another 4. It hasn’t been an issue for me being new.
Post # 6
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
Thanks for your input ladies! Sure you don’t want a wedding in the PNW MamaHusky?!?! 🙂
@Jenniferk6: Just wondering what price range your DOC was at? Was it comparable to the $100 / $200-250 that i mentioned above? higher? lower?
@mwitter80: Curious as to what advertising you have been doing (or really where you have taken up advertisements)?
Either of you can PM me if you would like, I really appreciate everyone’s thoughts!
Post # 7
Member
2580 posts
Sugar bee
We are hiring a DOC who is relatively new. I felt she was a better personal fit than the more well-known coordinators, and I feel like we will get more for what we are spending: she wants to build her portfolio, so she is willing to do more for less to get some valuable experience.
That said, I wouldn’t hire someone who didn’t at least have a few weddings under her belt and good references–weddings are really different than other events, so I wouldn’t want to be a coordinator’s first one. For me, the whole point of getting a DOC is to rest assured that everything will be executed correctly without me having to worry about it. At a really low price, though, I’m sure you would find some brides on a budget willing to give you a try!
Post # 8
Member
609 posts
Busy bee
we hired someone who was just starting out too. she has background just like yours! she has been amazing this far. and part of the reason we hired her is because she was new and her prices were right and she has the time to work with us. we dont feel like we are working with a big group of people where we are just another wedding.
Post # 9
Member
602 posts
Busy bee
The price was $700 for day-of coordination including rehearsal dinner, several meetings at the venue and pretty much unlimited email advice about planning. That’s about half-price for our area. Also, that’s in Canadian dollars.
Post # 10
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
Just to clarify – I’ve definitely coordinated weddings previously! I’ve just always been on the side of the venue. I’ve been the on-site Catering Coordinator for quite a few amazing resorts in AZ, so I’ve been the DOC and a DOC’s Assistant but it was part of working for the resort, not as an individual hired out by the Bride&Groom. However, as my work has mostly been through a resort, confidentiality clauses for the venues wouldn’t allow for me to use any of the bride’s as a reference – just the Catering Directors at the Resorts. I do have a few references as mentioned above! 🙂
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