Coordinators....why??

Some people like to relinquish control and don't enjoy planning. And that's okay :-) A planner is great if you don't have time or if you need help pulling it all together. If I hadn't worked in the industry forever I probably would have hired a planner. I did hire a DOC though because I want a professional running the day. I need her to figure out the logistics and keep communication between the vendors flowing. I don't want to do anything but enjoy my day.

I'm actually hiring one because I don't want my family to work that day. My coordinator will make sure everything and everyone is in place. Plus they come in handy with vendors and keeping them under control. My coordinator is just a day-of but she's been available to help me with everything. I actually hired her at a bridal show for $300---it was a great special!

My venue had a dedicted coordinator who was extreemly efficient in helping me leading up to the day and managing things on the day of. I had initially thought of hiring a separate person but couldn't justify the $6000 plus price tag (for basic services). In the end I'm glad I skipped it because I was forced to tap into my creative juices and have my dream day. No coordinator would have put as much thought into the tiny details as I did.

I hired a DOC b/c our venue was a blank slate and we had to bring everything in - down to the last napkin and fork. As a result we had a crapton of vendors, and I didn't see any possible way I could make sure things were coordinated properly without having someone at the helm. Also, our DOC executed all of our DIY projects like setting out/lighting candles, family photos, favors, and making sure everything looked pretty so we didn't have to worry about it. And she picked up the slack when mistakes DID happen. Like, when we ran out of Coke 2 hours into the reception, or when I needed cough drops, or when my bustle fell out, or during our tip envelope debacle (long story), or when there weren't the right number of chairs/place settings at the right tables, or when the room got too hot and the venue wasn't cooling it down quickly enough..........she fixed everything. We would have been up a creek without her. Best $500 we ever spent.

In terms of vetting vendors, having a wedding planner would have made planning my DW in VT a lot easier. She would have access to a slew of caterer and vendors. I had to rely on google searches.

We did hire a DOC so that my family/friends didn't have to work. I had a lot of DIYs and an entire first floor of three different rooms needed to be transformed. I thought we throughly inspected her credentials. However, she was a total f..k up. If it were not for my DH, and my friends, our vision would have never come to fruition.

I am my daughter's wedding planner/designer. In addition, her venue offers a dedicated coordinator and a DOC. The venue has been doing weddings for decades and there is a wait list to have a reception in this particular room on a Saturday evening. So, I trust they will both take care of things. However, I will inspect the room prior to anyone entering. I feel confident that her vision and our DIY projects will be taken care of properly.

The big reason is the same with every other vendor: experience. They will ask the questions the client doesn't necessarily think to ask. Skim through old threads here and other wedding sites, and you'll find complaints from brides about issues with vendors, etc., after the contract is signed. Most of those issues are because of misunderstandings between client and vendor, and most of those could have been avoided by someone who has the experience to ask before the contract. One that comes to mind is about a wedding in the UK where the bride was verbally promised chair sashes by the venue, but then the person who made the promise quit the venue. It turned into a much bigger deal than necessary. A good planner would have known that there is a high turnover rate at venues, and would have gotten EVERYTHING in writing.

The place we are having the wedding gives the wedding coordinator although her job is everything. In our contract we have a personal event manager and bridal concierge who they said will be there for ever little thing on the day of, as far as if I need cough drops or have dress issues..etc...so I dont think I need to hire someone else, does that sound right?

I'm considering having a day-of coordinator to help with the day of just so I don't have to do anything or force my MOH/mom/family to do extra stuff. I haven't priced them though, so it may be out of the budget.

I only hired a DOC but she has been a lifesaver. I did all the research and hiring of vendors myself but she is doing the last minute coordinating times, deliveries etc. She will be there the day of to set up decorations, make sure everyone is where they need to be, fix any last minute problems, basically eliminate all stress so that my family and I aren't running around working that day and can instead relax and enjoy ourselves. Her rate is 450 and worth every penny.

I'm not sure what a personal event manager and bridal concierge are exactly but sounds like between the two you will probably be covered the day of.

IME DOC or a dedicated venue coordinator can be very helpful for most weddings. They can help things run smoothly so you and your family don't have to worry about things.

I did hire a full service planner because at the time my work schedule was extremely busy and I simply didn't have the time to meet with a variety of vendors to find what I was looking for. Instead I told my planner what I wanted and she went out and made it happen. I still handled a lot of the design aspects since that's my background but I had no desire to handle the coordination parts.

Just from what I have noticed the people that tend to hire full service have busy careers, out of town, or have a rather large event with many many different vendors and it's easier for them to hire someone to manage that aspect.

I work with several great planners in NJ/NY. They are worth their weight in gold; they can save you money, time, emotion and missteps. They know etiquette, they can coordinate your vendors on the day so you don't have to do that, and in many cases they can solve problems before you even know they've happened.

A venue coordinator, however good, is usually only going to be concerned with what happens at the venue, which is something to consider too. I highly recommend a good DOC.

A new one, an inexperienced one? A total waste of money.

Just remember that a wedding coordinator who works for a venue, works for the venue. Not for you. So if something goes wrong with the venue contractually, their hands will be tied as far as what they can actually do.

Our DOC did a lot of work on our timeline too, and was just another pair of hands throughout the day. One of my friends had a DOC who came with her floral package. I think it really just depends on your situation, exactly who's involved, and exactly who's supposed to do what. Just be really clear on that piece, especially when you have multiple people involved.

Planning and DOC are totally different things though - looking back I actually wish we'd had a full time dedicated planner. It would have made our lives so much easier. But it really depends on your situation.

I am having a Day of coordinator to make sure everything flows smoothly and on time-- I agree with Andrene-- I just couldnt justify spending all that money when I had all the ideas and found all my supples and executed the plan myself--

I have been known to be a control freak but I knew that on my wedding day the last thing I wanted was to have to tell people where to set up the tent, where to put the tables, which centerpieces go on which tables, etc....So, I am using a DOC (day of coordinator). That way I can concentrate on getting me ready and maybe even have a few minutes to relax and reflect on what that awesome day is going to be like! If you can afford a DOC, I think it is money well spent.

Celia...I don't think all just starting out planners are a total waste of money. How will a planner become experienced if they don't get hired on b/c they're being told it's a total waste of money?

@Cydney - FWIW most wedding planners I know either started out in caterering or were assistants for another company before starting their own.

I wasn't

My siite came with a lovely coordinator, plus a book of all their recommended vendors-- such a blessing! I just wish I'd gotten the book *before* picked my photographer! I think coordinators are great for people bad with details (me) and little investment in 'making it perfect' (me again). I had grad school, a very sick mom and a wedding to plan that summer, and anything I could dump on someone else and say, 'Do this, please!' was dumped.

Planning is stressful. Im the type who pay attention to little details and a control freak (just for the wedding), but i admit i cannot do every single detail on my own and sure dont want my MOH and bridesmaids to feel obliged to get things done for my wedding, so I hired one. Our planner is a family friend of the FH so Id like to think were getting discounts.