Lazy Weddin Planner, or Unrealistic Expectations?

I was completely with you till I saw the amount paid. That is DOC pricing. My full planning stylist who did everything you seem to want cost 10x that.

That's ridiculous. You're paying her to do nothing! Everything you've described, I've been doing on my own without a planner. A planner is supposed to be doing that work FOR you! Especially if you paid for "full event planning" because she hasn't done jack but recommend a few things here and there, which you can get for free by asking friends/family. "Full planning" usually means you don't have to lift a finger, but I agree with pp that her vagueness in her services description have the chance to go against you if you try to re-negotiate a signed contract--I'm sure she kept it vague for a reason. If you can, I would try to tell her you want her to be more take-charge and tell her straight up what you want her to be doing and when; maybe in the past she's had brides who just want a hand-holder to walk them along as they hold the reins, and she's gotten used to that? She probably has other clients that keep her busy as well, so if you're not touching base with her she may think you want it that way. But I'd say it's better late than never to try and get the services you wanted/paid for. I don't see you being able to do much about it unless you demand more involvement from her, or fire her and find a new planner or day-of coordinator. You'll be out that money you contributed to her but at least you'll know on the day of your wedding you won't have to worry about the fact that she might not be doing what you expect her to be doing while you're trying to manage everything (when you SHOULD be enjoying your wedding day).

Yes you are lucky if you can even find a DOC for that price. You are getting what you paid for.

$750 is a huge red flag to me. Where I live, a reputable full service planner comes in around $5-$7k depending on the kind of budget they're trying to attract. The cheapest reputable DOC usually runs around $$1200-$2000 depending on the extent of their services in the package. You're definitely getting what you paid for and as Kristy said, this is exactly why I fought my dad tooth and nail on having a full service planner. I wasn't willing to risk hiring a stranger to completely handle the biggest day of my adult life...I'm weary of trusting people so I just do everything major on my own and am hiring a DOC to help me tie up loose ends.

We're paying $2000 for a month of coordinator, so $750 for full planning seems unreasonable. It also seems like she's doing most of the vague things in her contract because they say "assistance" or "support," that means you do it and she gives suggestions.

Based on her contract, it sounds like she is not doing anything she promised. My day-of coordinator who comes with the venue has done all the things your planner has (given me a short list of vendors, etc.) I would be pissed. ETA: just saw what you are paying. PPs are right, you got what you paid for

I'm sorry you're disappointed at what she's done but for the price it sounds like you'll be getting exactly what you paid for. I wouldn't even consider a planner because of the price and my OCD and they were significantly more than that.

I definitely understand the frustration of expectation vs. reality big lesson learned for now.