Should I hire a DOC?

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I've been tossing the idea around in my head for the past couple of weeks of hiring a DOC. I dont know if I should, as I think they are a little expensive for what you get. We are only at about $20,000 for the entire wedding and a DOC around here costs about $1000. I really think that the DOC would really help me carry out my visions of what I want, but at the same time, I kinda want to be involved in doing it. I know that they would help with the flow of events and help with making sure that everything gets carried out as planned. I know if something unforseen happens they can work their majic to make sure its taken care of. I have a wedding coordinator for the ceremony site and a person who I will work with at the reception site. The only thing about that is they dont handle details, they just make sure vendors know where to go and the tables and chairs are set-up like I wanted them.

I'm really up in the air on this one. I dont know which way to lean and I know if I want one, my parents will spring for it. Help me ladies!

[cowboysbride]

I had one but she was family so she refused any type of payment, if you can find one as good as mine I recommend it!

She kept me calm, she had a list of things to be done and she made sure that even the smallest details were handled...ie the ringbearer putting both his little hands under the pillow, the way the girls carried their bouquets and during the rehearsal she counted as they walked to make sure they didn't walk so fast that the music was still going once they arrived at their spot (she even put tape on the floor for them to stand on) this all sounds a bit much but my PRO PICS showed how important it all is!!!!!!!!!!

She had an answer for everything and kept everyone in line and smiling!

[ladymelissa]

I am assuming a DOC is a wedding coordinator. I haven't seen that abbreviation yet. We didn't have one, but our sites were pretty meticulous and we didn't have to set anything up or do anything after we told them what we wanted, so we didn't feel we needed one. Everything ended up going according to plan, so I think a wed coordinator would just have gotten in the way.

It is completely up to you, I really would not want to have to worry about setting anything up the morning of the wedding, so if all of that is taken care of with the site coordinators you probably wouldn't need anyone else. The photogs are usu. good at keeping the photos on schedule and telling people where to go.

[ladymelissa]

Our church's coordinator was really good, she did most of what Ellen's wedding coordinator did, in terms of telling the FG and FB what to do and making sure everyone was calm and holding their bouquets nicely. So it all depends on what your site coordinators are willing to do.

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I'm really thinking that the site coordinators arent really going to do that much. I'm not sure though. I know the site coordinator at the church is free for me and the one at the reception site is included in the price. I guess I'm just stressing over nothing. I'm still on the fence about it though.

[LaceyinPgh]

Our church coordinator did a good job. She was a huge help that day in getting all the little details done and getting all the poeple where they needed to be. She told my flowergirls when to go and fluffed my train and straightened my veil before I walked down the aisle. Plus she went in and "excused" each pew so that there wasn't a big back up in the receiving line. My site coordinator was a God send though. If I didn't have her, I would have hired a private coordinator. But, Emily, did everything. I just called and told her what I wanted. She made sure that it was exactly what I wanted.She even called in the months leading up tot he wedding just to ask how it was going. The only real work that she required of my was to provide her with a list of vendors so that she could manage them.

If you aren't sure that you are going to be satisfied with what your site coordinators will do, than you should consider hiring someone. It is just simply too much work for you to be worrying aout on your big day. I woudn't have survived without Linda and Emily to do all the detail work for me.

[WebLady]

I've said on many occasions that I always recommend at least a director to help with the rehearsal and the ceremony (weather from the facility or hired on your own)

Anyway, I just don't the everyday bride really needs a full service planner/coordinator, unless you are just clueless and have no time to put into it yourself. I am not saying that coordinators don't help, I'm just saying for the money I don't believe they are always necessary. Most brides (especially those on a budget) can do much of the planning on their own. (sorry to all the planners out there, this is just my opinion based on my experiences)

I have heard some ppl doing what is called 'e-planning- where you talk with a planner online via chat, email and such ... you get all the tips and ideas and guidance you need then you go out and make it happen yourself. From what I've heard, this option is much more affordable.

[septemberbride06]

wea re not ahving any of that. Cannot afford to.:D

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I'm starting to lean towards no because $1000 is a lot of money. Granted $1000 is only 5% of my actual budget, but I still feel its a lot of money. I think Fi and are are going to continue to talk about it. 3 months before my event, I will be talking with all of my vendors and if we think we're going to need one, we'll hire one. I think I'm just freaking out over something I shouldnt be freaking out about. Its been happening a lot here lately.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[WebLady]

You can get alot of help on boards like this :bbmrgreen: And there are alot of books out there about planning on your own too ;)

:goodluck:

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

You can get alot of help on boards like this :bbmrgreen: And there are alot of books out there about planning on your own too ;)

:goodluck:

The day of coordinator would just help the day of and the day before. I'm not really concerned with wedding planning, I think I do a pretty good job.

Now if any of you ladies want to be my DOC, I'd so be up for it! :bblol:

[kevinsbride2B]

My best friend/ maid of honor is a event planner, so i struck gold, cause she lives off of this stuff. Simply because I know i would mess it up, I couldn't be doing this wedding without her.
I have found from speaking to others that if you can find more of an informal one the better. If your goign to do it, make sure they really understand what you want and your budget. It could also helpf you stay within your budget. Meaning they could help to find you steals and deals.