***sms274*** RE: Some Like it Clasic

lcarp203

Hey there! 

I was just wondering if you used Amina and Some Like it Classic.  I was going to wait for your vendor reviews, but I need to make a decision! 

So, if you did use them, can you just let me know what you thought.  Did you use them for Day of Coordination only, or did you hire them for more than that?  Was the service they povided worth the price?  Was there anything that you would have done differently or changed if you hired them again?  Any info/advice that you have or you think I should know prior to making a decision would be great! 

Thanks!

PS- glad everything turned out well!  The pictures were great!  It looks like you all had an amazing time!

sms274

Yes I did use Amina. We hired her for day of services only. I simply adored her at first - she was so responsive and helpful but the weeks leading up to the wedding, when I needed her most, I feel like she dropped the ball. She didn't send out vendor packs until 3 days before and never returned anyone but my emails - not even MILs who paid for most of the wedding.

At the wedding she was better but she forgot to pin the bouts on most of my guys, was kind of short with everyone other than me and seemed like a total stress case for the most part. She was super nice to me and most of the vendors said she was fine the day of toward them.

I don't know that she is worth the extra money that she costs over other DOCs but then again, she is the only DOC I used. Overall I would give her a b- rating because she was SO great the time leading up to it when I only hired her for day of, she put together my entire candy table, and let me use her jars for free, and has amazing timelines she uses. I would just really stay on top of her, ask her when she typically send out vendor packets and stick her to it. I don't know what exactly happened with the bouts but I know she was supossed to putthem on and most guys never got them - at all.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but that was my experience with her... If you have any more questions I'd be happy to try and answer them as best I can.

lcarp203

thanks for the info!  I am really torn on whether or not to hire a Day of Coordinator

sms274

I say yes, definitely on DOC, althoguh I was slightly peeved by stuff the day would have been so much more stressful had I not had a DOC. She met all my vendors to tell them where to go, handed out all the tip money, setup my candy table, brought all the gifts to his parents room after the reception, brought everythign from the church to the reception site, brought items from the wedding and reception that I needed to our suite, kept everyone on schedule (as best she could) coordinated everything with the DJ for timing, stayed for cleanup and vendor pickups, held onto any items after the wedding while I went on my honeymoon, moved items from cocktail hour to reception, fixed any problems before I even knew they happened (unless there weren't any-since I don't really know-but that was the plan) made sure we had food to eat after the reception because we didn't get to eat at reception, picked up forgotten items like my fake eye lashes, HHs wedding present, and some other stuff I don't remember right now.

Although I wwas frustrated with some of the stuff she did before and a bit of the attitude during the day I would not ever do my day again without a DOC. I jsut think there may be a better one out there, especially since we paid her more than twice the price of other DOCs I met with.

NillaWafer10

Sorry can I butt in on the DOC issue?

My venue offered a coordinator that is included in the rental.  She was pretty absent throughout the entire night, but she was there for the ceremony.  For this, I was sooo grateful that someone was coordinating.  She was in complete control of the timing of the ceremony.  She judged when we should start the ceremony (based on attendance), the pacing of the wedding party, and que'ing the music.  I don't know how we could have coordinated that on our own.

After the ceremony, the DJ took over for coordinating.  He made announcements when it was time to eat, dance, cut the cake, toss the bouquet, toss the garter, and leave.  He was awesome at keeping everything in motion.  I felt like the party was never in a lull. 

For a DOC, I would say that pre-ceremony and during the ceremony would be great.  I don't think you really need one during the reception if you are having a DJ.  That might be a way to cut costs.

FutureMrsL.R.Allen

OP- where are you getting married?  I have a different take on DOCs, I have been on the other side of weddings, I used to be a Catering Sales Manager at a resort.  I would say that 90% of the DOCs that I worked with made my life and the other vendors lives more difficult than if they had not been there at all.  It seems like many of them created problems just so it looks like they are working to solve something, like they are trying to to justify their fee.  If you have a good Catering Sales Manager then they will line you up for the ceremony, keep the reception on track, coordinate your vendors, etc.  That is what I did when I held that position and that is what the Catering Manager did for me when I got married.  Now if you are getting married somewhere that does not have a Catering Sales Manager or Wedding Coordinator, then I would say it is worth it to hire a DOC, but please pick wisely!  I can recomend some that I have worked with that actually made my life easier if you want.

lcarp203

Thanks for all the advice ladies!

FutureMRS- That is what I am trying to figure out.  Would this create stress and drama with the vendors?  Or, would it bring peace and harmony!  A silly way to say it, but really that is what I am weighing right now!  I thought I may email my catering manager and see what she says.  I am mainly concerned with the set up and take down of the wedding.  I dont have a large wedding party (one MOH and one Goomsman) and all family is out of town. So, I dont have a lot of people to rely on that day.  I do have friends in the area, but I want them to enjoy the wedding.  Do you have any advice as to how to approach this topic with the catering manager.  I basically need to know how much assistance they provide.  The contract does not address this.  I am normally a really straight forward and to the point person, but I just feel like I ask her tons of questions as it is!

alschmid

Nilla - glad to see you didn't think you needed one during ceremony etc Hope our DJ does just as good of a job!

FutureMrsL.R.Allen

I would just tell the catering manager your concerns and see what she says.  You should not have to set up/clean up if you are getting married at a full service venue, and since you have a catering manager to ask I am assuming that you are.  I just dropped off my favors, placecards, etc at the rehearsal and the catering manager set them up for me.  I went back the next day to pick up my belongings.  See what she says, but I am guessing that she will allow you to do what my manager did. 

Also, when I was in that position and someone asked me if I would set something up I of course always said yes, and I would have much rather done it myself than had some DOC that I did not trust there.  Now if it was one I had worked with and I liked, then I loved it when they were there!  So if your Catering Manager does not do everything that you need her to do, I would ask her which DOCs she has worked with and likes.

Celles

lcarp -- I may have misunderstood, but I was under the impression that Brooke would be acting as a coordinator at Starfire?  I realize she may not be a full-fledged DOC, but she made several comments over the course of our meetings that led me to believe she (or her staff) would help with set-up and tear-down, manage the flow of events and handle things like the cake-cutting.  I should probably clarify that with her, though.  I hadn't even thought about hiring a DOC because she seems so capable and willing to help. 

FutureMrsL.R.Allen

Oh, you are getting married at Starfire?  Then yes, I would say that Brooke will do all the things for you that you are worried about.  She is great!  My gut says you do not need a DOC with Brooke there.

ibstephi

Brooke is great ! She is will do a wonderful job ! 

lcarp203

Celes, Future and ibstephi-

Brooke will act as our Day of Coordinator. 

My main concern is that I am not having a large bridal party.  I am having 1 Bridesmaid (traveling from MI) and my FI has one Best Man (local).  And, all my family is in WI and my FI's are traveling from MI. 

So, there will be a lot to do on the day and I did not want to push off everything on her.  We are having Starfire take down large pictures in their ballroom (they are golf pictures) and we are hanging large wall hangings will love quotes on them in addition to all the additional set up items.  Then, FI and I are not planning on sticking around until the end.  Since all of our family is from out of town, we did not want them to have to feel like they had to stick around to gather anything either. 

So, I guess my concern was more out of convenience of everyone and to eliminate any extra burden. 

I did email Brooke, so, I will let you know what I find out.