Do I need a wedding coordinator?

roeandlee

Hi ladies! I'm starting to wonder if I should look into getting a day-of-wedding coordinator. I am getting married at the TradeWinds (would love any feedback from other TradeWinds brides). I don't have a "coordinator" from the TradeWinds and they made this very clear. They will simply direct vendors to their locations. As far as setting up place cards, guest book, favors, etc. do you think I would benefit from having a coordinator?

I have priced some but they seem very expensive. What do you think? 

I really appreciate your help! 

FutureMrsHusted

I asked myself this very same questions, but it depends on MANY factors on what you plan on doing...

In my situation I have a catering director that will be onsite that used to work for Brides magazine... thus she has basically been my planner and guided me along the way. Also almost everything that day will be done by vendors or dropped of by my Mom in the morning. We also have an onsite person that I trust and who will help set up so I decided no on the planner.

However if you aren't goign to be involved the day of (or don't want to be) and you dont' have someone you trust to make sure everything arrives and gets set up, then I would consider it!!

When are you getting married? I am using the Tradewinds as our hotel for our wedding, but we are getting married at Tampa Bay Watch nearby!

roeandlee

Thank you for the reply! We are getting married on March 12 at the TradeWinds. They don't have someone to coordinate for us. The vendors are all setting up their own stuff. I guess I'm just concerned with the overall flow...will people know where to go? will they know when to go in? I have some friends, who I trust, that are willing to help set up the favors, place cards, etc. 

I don't really know if I need one...my biggest fear is that the wedding day will be unorganized...even though I'm sure it won't haha! 

I would love feedback from any TradeWinds brides...how helpful was the staff on the day of the wedding?

cjohnsen2010

I saw a wedding coordinator at the Perfect Wedding Guide show and she was over the top!  I've seen her before and one of my friends used her.  I don't know what her rates are, but I'm sure she will be fair.

With the information you provided above, I'd definitely say you need a day of coordinator.

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/chic-designs-fabulous-events-llc-tampa/website/218db5dc96722efb.html

FutureMrsHusted

Yea, I would def. go with a coordinator if they do not have one.

BUT I know that is easier said than done with the prices that go along with it. If you had a friend that was able to help, do that! You can always provide her with a detailed timeline and instructions. Plus you will be on site to maintain contact with your vendors if need be... Just remember to invite this awesome person to your rehearsal and treat her as part of your wedding party (if she isn't already)!

Plus you could always consider putting up signs to direct everyone if you are worried about that!

mrspanzica

I used Jennifer Moore and she was great!! The day of, she set of the chairs, the whole ceremony cite, the guest table, everything! It was nice to relax.  Besides, I would have never had time to do any of that.  Neither would any of my family. And I didn't want to ask any guests to come early and "work" at my wedding.  She will work with you on price and will definitely work with you on whatever you need. You can contact her at jmmeventplanning.com

mlekitty

I AM A TRADEWINDS BRIDE!    YAAAY!  There ain't no party like a TradeWinds party cuz a TradeWinds party don't stoooopp...!  Okay, I'm done.

Haha.  First of all, let me preface this by saying this is a semi-destination wedding for us.  We have NO wedding party and a very small guest list (40 of our closest and mostest).  Early in our planning stage, we knew we did not want to burden our guests--who are 95% from out of state--with menial and potentially labor intensive set-up tasks.  They will enjoy a vacation, a trip to Busch Gardens, the beach, and our wedding.  No stringing up lanterns, no laying out escort cards, blah blah blah.  They're paying enough in time and money just to be there and that's all we felt we could ask them for.

Renee at TW is fabulous as far as her knowledge, courtesty, experience, and flexibility.  She is so kind and has been great with promptly responding to all of our site-related questions.  Questions like "Can we hang stuff from the bird wire?"  (Yes) "Can we have different sized tables?" (Yes) "Can we get more apps instead of an ice sculpture?"  (Yes) No matter how silly I felt asking her, she has always been tremendous and helpful in her responses. 

However, as fantastic Renee is, we picked Dream Day Productions to help with day-of coordination and set-up.  Meghan from DDP is a former florist with lots of wedding experience, vendor knowledge, and she is also a state licensed officiant.  So we got her and her helper for a very reasonable price.  It is worth it in my view to know she will be calling the shots for all the non-TradeWinds related decisions and knows what my vision is and just where to put stuff.  She has been great and I really recommend her.

It really comes down to how much or how little you want your guests and/or attendants to help out.  Try to gauge their willingness to help too.  I am not a a fan of asking people to do stuff they didn't sign up for, so getting a DOC was an easy choice for us.

babybchbum

My suggestion would be to get one from the information that you are giving us. I am not having one because My caterer has a lady who oversees everything (kind of an event coordinator) who will set everything up and make sure it is perfect. At my last needting with her she even told me " I won't let you go past 10 without cutting the cake." She asked for my day of timeline to know everything is going smoothly and is oging to be in touch with my vendors throughout the evening and most importantly before she leaves to makesure everything is okay.

The Palmetto club also provideds someone to oversee the building although I don't know how much they really do. When I was asking questions this person is just a "neighnborhood mom" who is there for the event and locks up.

jtritch

Think about it this way - anyone from the TW that may or may not be working on your wedding will be working for the TW the day of your wedding.  A wedding coordinator works for YOU to make sure that your visiion is created for your day. 

We aren't getting married at the TW- however we are getting married at another venue where we have a "contact", but we wanted someone else who was in our corner to make sure that a) none of our guests, family, bridal party had to be involved and b) had experience in what they were doing. 

A simple day of coordination seems to be what you may be wanting- price out various people and go from there.  If ti's worth your peace of mind on that big, crazy, emotional day, I say go for it. 

cmeyer3946

I just got married at the TW on 10-9-10.  You will need a Day of Coordinator.  This does not have to be someone that you pay but someone that you trust to be in charge of everything.  A family friend still in college who is thinking of becoming an event coordinator wanted to do it.   

There are a LOT of things that Renee (who is aweseome and wonderful) will not do that I needed someone to do....

Go down to the lobby to meet the florist to pass out your flowers, track down all the guys to get their bouts on, put out all of my DIY projects included petal toss cones at the ceremony, sand ceremony vases, escort cards, programs, DIY fans for the ceremony, table numbers at the reception, cupcake tree, decorative flowers, bringing ceremony stuff to reception, put out games for the cocktail hour....and on and on.   She always organized and ran my rehearsal the day before.  MY DOC was completely overwhelmed since this was her first time but almost everything made it out. 

Get a DOC if you want to enjoy your day and make sure they know everything that needs to be out and ready.  The TW is big and they will be running a lot that day.  Whether it's your family friend, mom, whatever.  You need someone in charge.

TTnoles

I ditto for day of.  We are doing a wedding at my parents house and I was waking up in cold sweats thinking of the disorganization....i caved and got a planner.  i am using Courtney Elston at Dream Weaver.  She was SOOOO reasonable.

roeandlee

Wow! Thank you all for the advice! I think I will definitely be getting a coordinator. Renee at TW is amazing and VERY helpful...but I think I will feel much better knowing someone is helping me out.

Thank you all again!!