Wedding without a wedding planner or DOC

My wedding is August 2018 and I am a bit confused on whether or not I should get a wedding planner. Reading these forums, I am a little nervous about the budget..

I would get at least a DOC, I don't want to worry and whether things got set up right or not while I'm getting ready

I'm similar to you that I'm very detail oriented. My FH and I are paying way too much money for me to worry about every detail being correct on our wedding day, that's why we are getting a DOC.

I do not have direct experience with this, but I am the same as you. I want things done exactly how I envisioned and would rather do it all myself. However, I can't be in 3 places at once on my wedding day. We need someone making sure they ceremony site is done properly and organizing the guests and making sure we all walk down the aisle at the same time. We also need someone making sure the reception is set up properly and everyone is where they are supposed to be. Also, if issues come up, like we can't find a seat for someone, she will be there to help sort it out.

We do have a ton of help from family and friends, but we do NOT want people having to work on our wedding day either.

We found a DOC (that my FSIL used) for a great deal and she will be there the whole day and some time before organizing.

DOC was the best money we spent. We hired ours about 6 or 7 weeks before our wedding. Having someone coordinate during the day was an invaluable part of our day.

For my first wedding, I did everything myself. I had 150 guests and one venue. I had 4 bridesmaids and some very nice relatives who helped with tasks on the wedding day--ie. gather family for portrait, ensure guests sign guestbook, keep an eye on gifts, make sure uncle steve doesn't get too drunk, etc.

Well, it was a nightmare to say the least. Everyone was very kind to offer or accept to help out in some way, but... when the time came, and everyone is socializing, drinking, and having fun, then everything goes out the window! It was like herding cats! I never peed once or ate anything the whole night, I was so busy running around going crazy.

Biggest mistakes of my life was 1) marrying my ex, and 2) NOT hiring a planner!!

It can get pretty bad without a planner. I had friends/relatives who kept grabbing the mic and saying embarrassing things, sometimes while drunk. My bustle was totally wrong. My (ex)husband and I ended up with only like 3 pictures together. DJ played songs we had on do-not-play-list. I could not find my MOH for like 90% of the entire night, we kept getting split up, so it was difficult to have her help. A DOC/planner would help prevent and handle all these sticky situations. It is worth every penny!

I strongly recommend a DOC because they will have little emotional attachment to what happens and will be focused on getting the job done. If you're particular about certain things and a family member doesn't see them through as you would've wanted it could create family tensions.

Is there an event planner at your venue? You're definitely going to want a professional to be there to guide the day. Whether this is provided by your venue, or you hire a DOC, absolutely make sure there is someone there to make sure the day goes by smoothly.

You can probably find an affordable DOC in the vendor tab! We have one and she has been outstanding and very helpful thus far.

No planner or DOC here. Everything is going to be extremely organized and structured. walkie talkies for anyone that has a hand in the behind the scenes stuff. Thankfully everyone is on board for my vision and extremely eager to lend a hand.

Thank you so much everyone for your insight! I truly appreciate it immensely.

We decided on a day of coordinator! I wish I would have got her sooner! Honestly I was freaking out about cost but she does this on the side and it was under $500 and she is amazing. Good luck!

I've been readying about a DOC a lot on here i' m thinking about getting on. I don't want my cousin worried about doing this and that at the wedding. I want my family to enjoy themselves. I just need to find one and pray I don't need another job to pay for it lol.

DOC was my FH first requirement. He's catered lots of weddings in the past, both with one and without. He said it's more stressful for everyone when there isn't one, because there isn't just ONE person in charge and things get confusing. We will plan everything and then she will step in 8 weeks to go to get timeliness ready and help keep me on track for the last couple of weeks. She will handle setup/teardown for my decor and will handle all the vendors, gifts, etc. All we have to do is show up, get married, and party.

I'm getting a DOC because they actually know what's supposed to happen on a wedding day and takes the burden off of you. Don't get me worry family and friends that can help are a blessing but you don't how reliable their gonna handle everything you want on the day of. Stick to a pro unless you have a friend or family member that is an actual DOC. Everyone I know or have heard from says a DOC is the best thing they ever did or if they didn't wishes they could go back in time and have one.

As part of the package for my venue, we got a DOC- she was fantastic! Im Type A, and told her my vision and she executed it to the T. All I can say is- our wedding was just perfect, everything went as expected

I definitely believe that a DOC is necessary, whether you hire one independently or your venue has one assigned to you. Logistics on the day-of can be incredibly stressful and if there is no one assigned to take care of these things, the questions either go to the bride (no.) or to a family member (rude.). I 100% did not want any of my loved ones being a "point person" for my wedding so I'm really happy i have someone to take care of any issues. Because there will be issues.

Having worked a lot of weddings a knowledgeable/experienced DOC is worth their weight in gold for all involved vendors, wedding party and guest. Time and peace of mind are priceless and money well spent.

We are definitely hiring a DOC (I have a meeting set up in a few weeks to meet someone from the Vendor tab!!).

This is because my biggest pet peeve is when things are running late. I need someone other than me or my family or any of my friends to be the time keeper, vendor organizer, coordinator on that day. I do not want to be worried about who is doing what, or if everyone is where they are supposed to be, etc. I want to actually be a BRIDE on my wedding day, and that is why I am paying someone to take care of executing my plans.

We are going to have a reception at an All Inclusive venue, so I am comfortable with the planning aspect of the entire wedding. The help I need is for the day of, and DOCs are a God send! Any wedding I have been to that has been a successful one (no major delays, smooth, organized, etc) has had a DOC of some sort.

Make room in the budget!

A DOC was included in our package; had it not been I would still get one. I don't want to have to worry about the little things on the wedding day.