Whose role is what!?

Hi there--those are typically all paid/vendor positions.

Your DJ/MC announces things, as well as controls the flow of the reception. A DOC (day-of coordinator) or a wedding planner does all of the behind-the-scenes flow.

View Quoted Comment So the coordinator and the wedding planner is the same person.

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The DOC isn't a wedding planner, they're just there for the day of the wedding (hence the name). A wedding planner can be brought on much earlier and helps with securing vendors, reviewing contracts, talking with vendors, doing the design of the wedding, etc. They may or may not offer day-of coordination services--that's something you need to check with them.

View Quoted Comment Ohhhhh okay.
That makes sense.
I guess I’m so confused because the person that is helping me plan my wedding is going to decorate and she’s also going to coordinate. But she’s family and not really charging much of anything. I think I should make clear some guidelines because she also wants to cook for the wedding. She is a jack of all trades. Very talented but I need to sit down with her to understand some clear tasks.

We had a dj who did announcements

For me there are 2-3 key people here who help with that; your planner/coordinator who will help with the lead up and preparation, and your MC (master of ceremonies) who directs the reception (and possibly celebrant!).


Our celebrant is also staying on for our reception as our MC so she will be running the show on the day (once the wedding starts) and will be coordinating with other vendors (ie the venue itself, the band) and making announcements.
Some people have their band or a relative do this but we didn’t want to make anyone feel like they were a working guest, but also we want it to be professionally done and we want our MC to be full of life and good! Haha

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This sounds nice in theory, but also sounds really stressful for her to handle. It may lead to some things falling through the cracks. The nice part of having people specifically for DJ only, catering only, DOC only, etc. is that they have fewer things to worry about so nothing gets forgotten. I think your idea to sit down and discuss it all with her is a very good idea!

The DJ does all the announcements and introductions. A planner typically makes sure transitions happen within the wedding ceremony and reception. Then there is the venue coordinator who acts as a liaison between vendors and planners so things run smoothly. If there is no planner then the coordinator talks to the bride and the groom or whoever is next in charge.

This is somewhat customizable to your needs. For us, we're having our DJ make any announcements (acting as the MC essentially), and will be giving him a schedule of the wedding events to facilitate that. Then we also have a Day of Coordinator who will be helping to keep things going smoothly as well, most likely being the one to deal with any problems that crop up or coralling people as needed for different events. Photographers often also help with this when there is no planner or DOC (at least ours told us they can).

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I would say that a wedding planning usually includes DOC services, but a DOC is not usually the planner.

My DOC checks in with me once a month to remind of upcoming payments, coordinates communications with the vendors and will be the one doing the decor on the day of while we're getting ready and taking photos before the ceremony. She was also a huge help when we had to postpone out to next year by communicating with all our other vendors to confirm their availability once we got a new date from our venue.

But we've bought and planned out all the decor, wedding party attire, ceremony structure, contracted the other vendors, etc.

It all depends are you having a DJ/MC then they do announcements, if you are having a wedding planner or maitre'd then their job is the transitioning to the next event.