I have been trying to visualize my wedding day. Trying to see myself and what I would like to happen on “my day.” Although I have completely decided I do not need a wedding planner… I have seen my actual wedding day in my head needing some assistance. I can picture myself worrying and running back and forth between rooms, making sure everything is being set up correctly, or possibly setting it up myself. I can see my family and friends running around trying to organize and set up stuff with no direction because I’m off getting my hair and makeup done (while thinking about how I need to be giving direction.)
To be honest, I’m a HUGE worry-wart. I am afraid I would be so worried about everything, I wouldn’t take the time to breathe and enjoy my day. So ladies, I’ve decided I have to have a day-of wedding coordinator. I have been researching and email companies all week long looking asking about prices and checking out what their services entail. I have seen day-of coordination everywhere from $750-$450. Needless to say I will be interviewing the lady with the $450 fee here in a couple of weeks. Sounds like a great price, next I need to make sure she offers what I am looking for. Is anyone considering a day-of wedding coordinator only? If so, what are some things I need to make sure and look for? Any info I appreciate! = ) Thanks ladies!
I completely agree with you & I had the exact same feelings so I went out and hired a day of wedding coordinator…a year in advance of my wedding!
She is amazing…she will run the rehearsal the night before and has 2 full consultation meetings with you in the final months leading up to the wedding to fine tune all the details and to confirm your layouts, seating arrangments, etc. She also runs our wedding ceremony for us because the venue we are getting married at does not offer any type of coordination.
My suggestions from my own interviewing experience of DOC’s is this:
1) Find someone who is excited to hear all your ideas, not just talk about what they do on that day…I took my binder filled with pictures, layouts, ideas, etc and the DOC I hired spent over 2 hours in our initial consulation going thru everything with me. That was a huge deciding factor over the other coordinator’s who only asked me what I needed and told me what they offered without any info.
2) See how involved they will be up to the big day…be sure they offer at least 1 or 2 consultation meetings to go over all your details. Even though I only hired my girl for DOC, she is always available to me via e-mail and phone for any questions, referrals, or ideas I want to run by her. She also met with me at my venue a year before just to walk around and give me some things to think about. Even though she is only day-of, she still offers me tons of ideas and input and even offered to design a monogram for our wedding for us. Find someone who gives you suggestions and input on your ideas…they’re supposed to be the experts.
3) Ask how many assistants they bring/need, if any…my wedding is 200 guests on a large private estate that is HUGE (even has a zoo on the premises). My coordinator brings 2 assistants with her to help her run everything.
4) Find out how they will work with your other vendors…will they set up favors and placecards or expect your caterer or venue coordinator to do that? Will they work with your DJ or Emcee to help coordinate the timeline with all your vendors including photographer, videographer, etc? My DOC calls all the vendors a week before the wedding for me to introduce herself and confirm their arrivals and services provided or anything I need them to bring.
5) How long will they stay during the day? My hair and makeup, pre-wedding photos and ceremony and reception are all happening on site in one location (my venue). But find out if your DOC will travel to different places where you may need him/her to be. My girl arrives before I do and then is the last person to leave at the end of the night. She will meet with the vendors as they arrive, help direct guests, and sign off on the caterer and venue being completely clean and left in perfect condition (so we get our deposit back). She will also set up and pack up all of our toasting glasses, personal items/bags, gifts, etc. and put them in a car, take them back to our house/hotel, etc.
There’s lots that some will do and lots that some won’t do so just ask lots of questions! I interviewed 4 coordinators in the OC ranging from $600 to $1000. Unfortunately, I went with the most expensive because I loved her personality, her offers of involvement and her ideas. The less expensive ones had little experience and though professional just didn’t seem to offer nearly as much. Let us know what you find!
Perfect! These sound like very important things that I will be asking and looking for! Yeah, I for sure don’t want to hire someone who isn’t excited and very helpful to me! I will for sure let you know what I find. Thanks = )