Do I need a day of coordinator?

I think it's worth it. Even though your family volunteered to work on your wedding day, they still shouldn't have to. They should be able to relax and enjoy the day like every one else. If your stepmom, for example, screws something up, would you be able to just let it go? Even if it was a monumental screw up? I totally understand wanting to save money but I think it's worth making sure everyone can relax and have fun.

I agree that I want everyone to have fun and enjoy the day! However, my stepmother's niece and nephew would kinda be vendors at my wedding. They're great people and all but ya know how guest lists explode...all the obscure, distant relatives come out of the woodwork during wedding guest list planning. I should have clarified... My stepmother is paying them for their service (and they are invited to stay as guests after the set up). As for my stepmom screwing something up... ehh... depends on how bad. I expect things to go wrong... And I'm not sure what she could do that's so bad it takes away from my planning. ... but it's definitely something to consider!!

We hired one. I didn't want (despite the volunteering) someone we are friends with and family setting up and tearing down the venue space. We are also going to a hotel that night and straight to the airport in the morning. So for us it was really important to find someone we could trust to collect all of our things, clean up and lock up the venue by the time we had to be out. And she is going to bring all of our stuff to our house the next morning. We also have like 200+ candles to light. These are the little things that once we got closer made us realize we really did need a doc.

One of my only regrets is NOT budgeting for a DOC. I didn't think we'd need one; but our day could have been so much less stressful...

Worth. Every. Penny.

Here's one way my DOC saved the day - my arch blew over in a crazy strong gust of wind 45 minutes prior to my ceremony snatching my arch florals all over the place. My DOC and her assistant zip tied them back on and somehow made it look like it never happened while we drank champagne stress free. She also saved the day in **** other ways and because of her EVERYONE got to enjoy every second of the day without worrying about one thing. It was the #1 best decision I made for my wedding hiring her and I too planned everything to a T (type A) and initially wasn't going to hire one.

My other reason is people will actually listen to her because she is a professional so guests and vendors alike with give a DOC respect so she actually can execute your dream day flawlessly.

A great DOC is worth their weight in gold. A willing family member, a newbie, the person at your work who wants to learn how to do this??

Ten bucks is too much.

Got married this weekend and my DOC was absolutely worth every penny. Because of her myself, my husband, and our families were able to just enjoy the day, drink and eat, and she coordinated absolutely everything. You'd be surprised how much there is to do during the day/evening of, and you don't want to let those things be the reason you didn't get to enjoy the day you put so much time, energy, and money into

It really depends on the type of weddding you're having and how much help your vendors are giving. I ended up getting a DOC because my bridal party and all relatives were a bunch of cats who definitely needed herding and I didn't want to spend my wedding day stressed out and getting people to where they needed to be on time. A goodDOC saves the day in so many ways you'll never know. Plus, adding stress to your stepmother and BM is never good the day of the wedding and don't make your niece max nefew work and set up the day of your wedding. What if they screw it up? Also, asking family to work the day of your wedding is not good. Even if they cheerfully want to help, it just adds stress to an already stressful day

Thanks for the feedback everyone! As much as I hate spending the money, it does seem silly to skimp in the actual execution of all my hard work!! I will try again and reach out to some local coordinators!

If y'all know of anyone in the South Florida area (for under $1k) please pass them my way!

I would make the investment. I wouldn't want my family members to be responsible for something and then God forbid they forgot to do something and it caused an argument. I would want my friends and family to enjoy the day. Also, I wouldn't want to be bothered if something did go wrong and I'm scrambling to fix it. It will be worth the peace of mind!

@LibertyBelle try Juliet Events. They are listed in NJ but one of the sisters lives in FLA. I absolutely love them.. They are not pretentious and they completely kick butt.

Thank you, @celia!!!

@celia, you weren't kidding about Juliet Events! They responded to my email within a few minutes! Unfortunately, Angela now lives in the Tampa area, but I appreciate the recommendation (And would recommend them purely based on their response time)

We went back and forth on this for a while. However, we decided to do it because the what ifs were too much. So much can go wrong and I will be in hair and make up basically all morning.

I didn’t have one and everything was just fine. Between the catering team’s manager, the DJ/MC, the photographer, and the site supervisor for the venue - there was no need for a DOC. I got all of input from all of those vendors about how to build our day-of schedule, then we finalized it and sent it to everyone (along with everyone’s contact info) – and they worked together to make it happen. I think if you’ve hired quality pros, and get them all on the same page, there’s no need for a DOC.

Yes, this was some of the best money we spent. I also had everything planned down to the little details. I thought I'd have plenty of time that day to get everything done (small decorations) and then I could run down when vendors came just to make sure everything got delivered/set up/etc. fine. I hardly had any time and was so grateful we ended up hiring a DOC. I hardly saw her from the time she arrived, but I handed off my decorations and literally the only thing I had to worry about that day was getting ready and taking photos. I didn't get one phone call or question or anything else. My family would have been happy to pitch in, but I didn't want them working or doing anything other than hanging out that day either. I think it's completely worth it to be fully present and enjoy your day.