Day of Coordinator

The DOCs I spoke with would all be jumping in about a month out to help with finalizing everything, coordinating vendors, and getting timelines etc completed. I’d ask specifically what the event coordinator at the venue will handle- if it’s just stuff at the venue or if they will coordinate between vendors for you or whatever else you want/need. Most of the venues we spoke with, and even photographers, had plenty of recommendations for us for other vendors - catering, HMUA, etc. I didn’t feel like we really needed a full or partial planner, but I definitely want to have a DOC if it’s in our budget because we’re using a non-traditional venue and could use the help. Good luck!

I hired a "day of coordinator" but technically she's more of a month of. We met together once, she went on our venue walk through, she will be there during the rehearsal, she confirmed with all vendors, and made a day of schedule.

Our venue provided a wedding coordinator who worked with me throughout the process (and saved my sanity more than once) - I would ask the venue what they ask the coordinator to do, and go from there as to whether you want something more than that

Hi there Elaine

This is definitely not a silly question!

As the previous posters mentioned, many DOCs have 'day' in their title, however, do much more such as the month of the wedding and the weeks leading up!

I would recommend you speak with the venue coordinator or the DOC and get specific on what services he/she offers. Once you know, you can look into getting your own partial planner if the services he/she offers doesn't cover the extent of planning you’re looking for

I have done most of the planning but I have a DOC coordinator. As we are a month out she is stepping in on more stuff. I have questioned, but apparently this is normal.

It depends on the DOC and the contract you sign with them. Ask for a full list of duties and try to negotiate anything additional you would like them to do.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

My DOC is really more “month-of” and her services begin with the 30-day runthrough at the venue. She will also help contact guests who haven’t RSVP’ed , finalize details with vendors

I was the same way, our venue came with a DOC and I was absolutely thrilled about that. I don’t think there’s any need for you to hire outside of this, but definitely talk to them about your expectations versus what they will actually do leading up to and the day of your wedding!

I had contact with out DOC a couple months before to go over things, then again a month before to be more thorough. I was told I could email/call/text her whenever I needed before.

She was was extremely helpful, however I wish I had lowered my epectations...hence my advice on asking everything they will do for you!!! I felt like other than setting up chairs, tables, and things like that, our DOC was only there to tell us when to walk during the ceremony. While that seems like a lot, it didn’t feel like it afterwards and I honestly felt extremely unoraganized and annoyed the days following.

My venue comes with an "onsite coordinator' so I figured she'd handle everything. Good thing I asked, because all she is there for is to make sure the ceremony goes smooth and if there are any deliveries. lol aka NOT what I need. So I ended up hiring a DOC who will reach out a month before with their detailed checklist and start going from there.

Our venue provides an event coordinator. She set up meetings with us every few months and sent us suggestions for seating arrangements and venue set up, places to take photos, vendor information, a mock timeline, etc. She has been awesome and I'm so happy to have her to assist us. I know on the day of we have to decorate ourselves but she is making sure the reception area is cleaned up and tables are set up for us to decorate. She will also keep track of the vendors and make sure everything runs smoothly for us.

If you are provided a DOC, I would ask what they generally do and see if it works for you. If not, you could look into hiring outside help.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for the tip!