Can't afford day of coordinator anymore. Do we need one?

I didn't have one, and that was one of the two things I would have done differently.

Although, you have a decorator. Will the decorator also take down?

She's my godmother also, and she said she couldn't take-down. My family offered but I don't want them to work. I've been apart of something like that before and it sucks

Then the DOC can do the take-down, and chase down anyone that needs it.

I did set-up and take-down, and yeah - it was annoying. I loved doing it because I'm weird that way, but I was so tired.

Also, I had to chase down my photographer who would go hide and text. I would hope that a DOC would have done that.

Possible suggestion to save money on one: email a college that has a hospitality department and ask if they have any students willing to help out for cheaper rates

@pushingbutton is exactly right. I went to college for event planning and would have helped you for peanuts to have you as a good reference if needed down the road.

Thanks for that, I want to hire someone but am also on a tight budget.

PushingButtons and Caroline that is a good suggestion! I will look at that!

I didn't have a DOC, I planned everything myself, and everything was A-OK.

Those that did have DOCs (and their DOCs did good job) will tell you that it is a necessity.

It depends on your style, how organised you are, and what exactly you need to get done.

Kristy, I. Wondering because I m extremely organized. And my bridal party and vendors will have copies of schedules. I've been planning just in case

As long as you have someone to setup and breakdown, you don't need one. We had to setup my FBIL's wedding, while we were happy to do it, things didn't go the way they wanted. That's fantastic you have a decorator though. I would try to find some students to help break everything down.

I didn't have one and everything worked out well! We had time to set up the day before and looks like you may have time. What time does your ceremony start?

5:30 pm and we can decorate the church the day before and the venue opens as early as we need it

FMD, as family of someone who did not have a DOC, so we got stuck decorating, tearing down, making sure vendors show up, making sure they know where to go and what to do, and processing the millions of little details that come up-- and I'm just the half sister of the groom! If I handled that much, how much did my step-mother, who LOVES to entertain, handle, not to mention the bride and her family, and they are traditionally the ones in charge?

Please don't dump this on your family or close friends. Skip STDs, skip table runners, chair decorations, centerpieces, the hard liquor, personalized napkins, a photobooth, your lattes, eating out-- do what you can to make sure this doesn't fall on friends and family.

Thanks Zoe! That's what I don't want to deal with, because I have before and it sucks! FH says we will find a way!

Love the college idea . . . and if Southeastern doesn't have a department like that, I know UNO has a hospitality program. I thought about getting my masters there for a while. Let me know if I can help!

Thank you LynZLeigh!

Sure, honey! State sisters!