Wedding coordinator fee

Depends on if she does this as a business or not, what she is doing before and the day of. The more work she does, the more she should be paid. Personally, I'm not fond of friendors, advantage can be taken on both sides. That being said, most coordinators make $50.00 per hour and up depending on how much work they do, how long they have been in business, etc.

Honestly? I would hire a pro. I have worked with family friends and in most cases, they create more chaos than they solve.

Is she a guest at your wedding or just coordinator for the day? Because hiring friends or family for your wedding day can get tricky and messy. It may be better to hire a professional who is disconnected from you. A coordinator handles literally everything the day of so you don't have to. I would have been lost without mine. We paid her and an assistant $600.

@SarahM no she's not. Her role is going to be helping keeping everything and order.

This is hard. a friend did our engagement pictures, they turned out great, and she told us from jump no charge, just tip, and only after final edits. We were shocked out how great they turned out, plus she was with us 3 hours, way longer than any pro would have allotted for e-photos (almost never on a Saturday). So I gave her 40 percent of what our actual wedding photographer would have charged to do e-photos (he's oot bc our wedding is oot so not including travel cost). I would say a DOC is typically $500-$2000 depending on how much they do (if they do the decorating its usually on the hire end, if they just manage it usually lower). When do you feel like you would pay her, before the wedding day or on that day but after its over?

I would not use a friend for this. It could turn out to be a disaster.

@Brandy no its not part of her business. She design cards on the side as her second job.

@mimitrue yes she's going to be a guest at the wedding.

She won't be able to enjoy the wedding if she is coordinating. I would thank her, but politely decline and hire a DOC. She could help with things leading up to the wedding, but don't have her work when she is a guest.

Does she have any experience? If not, this is not a great idea. She may do more harm than good. If you are going to be paying, I suggest you save yourself the potential aggravation and just pay a pro. You'll spend a couple of hundred more maybe, but it would be worth it. Depending on where you are, you can find a DOC for under $1000

If she's going to be a guest and you really want a day of coordinator I would hire someone else. You want her to enjoy your wedding as a guest and not work while being there. We refused politely of course, any help from friends and family the day of. We didn't want there to be any of our friends or family working on our wedding day. Plus, if anything goes wrong, your relationship with this person could become strained. I felt more comfortable hiring someone who was experienced in coordinating and disconnected from us.

Is she decorating? picking things up? cleaning up? is she overseeing the ceremony and reception? we're paying our professional, reception-only coordinator $400, if that helps. We expect 50-60 guests, no bridal party, and basic decorating.

She should be giving you a price, go discuss with your FH, go back to her if you agree/disagree, and go from there. Regardless of your relationship it is still business. If this isn't something you want to do or she doesn't want to do go somewhere else.

I have a friend who has helped couples plan their weddings before, and I believe she was not paid. She did a lot of work, and now one of the couples doesn't even want anything to do with her. I know she did a lot of work because I sort of got dubbed an "unofficial honorary bridesmaid" at that wedding. Apparently that title meant "make decorations, decorate the entire church the day of the wedding, run errands, style the hair of all the bridesmaids, and serve drinks and man the kitchen during the entire cake and punch reception." Basically, I was the coordinator's assistant because they hired no one to do anything. I'm sure it's possible to have friendors and maintain a good friendship after, but I would seriously consider whether your coordinator will have a chance to participate in your wedding celebration if she's working the whole time. My wedding planner and DOC are part of my venue package, so I'm not sure what the appropriate payment would be. I'd say based on my experience helping a volunteer coordinator, don't pay her the minimum because she will be doing a lot of work.

Thanks Ladies, I'm that bride who wants to be a part of putting their wedding together. I know I'm not going to be able to do everything especially on the day of the wedding. Reading these comments now I understand she won't be able to enjoy herself if she's running around making sure everything is in order. I was looking at it at a different angle but now I see a bigger picture. Thanks again ladies

Our DOC is charging $400. But aside from helping the day of, she's not helping with anything else except arranging times we can come look at the venue (since she's affiliated with our venue).