DOC worth it?

entropicbeauty

I've seen this discussion on some of the other boards and I'm curious to see the response from some Michigan ladies!

Do you think a Day of Coordinator is really worth it? Are you using one/did you use one? If so, who and how much was it?

I plan to do most of my setup the night before but I'm starting to think I will need a person in charge of some last minute things the day-of (like turning on LED lights) and for telling people where to go/what to do.

I'd like to think I can be everywhere at once and just do it myself but I do NOT want to stress out.

So let me hear it! Thoughts?

emarston1

Absolutely one of the best planning decisions I made.  Not only so she could set up all my DIY projects (including my floral centerpieces) but so she could clean up at the end of the reception.

Plus she went around and made sure everything was running smoothly.  She was there but never noticable if that makes sense.  I was starting to get a bit of a headache at the beginning of the reception and she discreetly slipped me some motrin.  Just little things like that which made a world of difference

Oh and I used Tammara from Grand Jour Events.  She was $300 when I used her but I think she's up to $350 now?

ETA:  Also, I am a total control freak but I knew I wouldn't be able to do everything logistically and it killed me to release control to someone else.  But after meeting with Tammara the first time, I had 100% confidence that everything was going to run smoothly (and it did).

acaponi87

Yes, it's worth it.

I have a wonderful coordinator at my site so I am not paying for a separate one. But I have been to weddings where there is no one "in charge" and it is a hot mess. You do not want to worry about having a hot mess on your hands right before you get married.

I know it varies by venue, but are you sure that you will be able to set up the night before? I know many places they don't let you have access to the site until 2-4 hours before the ceremony.

brandym22

I want one, but I can't spend any extra money... We are already away over budget. I am going to take pictures of the layout and have my aunt go to the reception hall before the ceremony and set it up. The hall is going to put out our flower petals and light all candles for us as it gets closer to the time. It would be nice to have... But I feel like its not a necessity and I would rather give my money to a limo company or videographer.

JMBsbride

I too am using Tammara Kane, and honestly she has changed this whole experince for me. I am completely calm and I know won't have to sweat the little stuff. When we sat down to talk about everything she would be doing (which is so much for what she charges) I realized I would have spent way too much time dealing with little details. It's worth it. $350 buys me more time the day of to just enjoy every minute.

StephLove12

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_doc-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:88Discussion:068d2d4c-0922-4eb7-aaee-cb41e267fe37Post:ca5d8f29-9037-4edf-a284-6cb1d5afce4a">Re: DOC worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, it's worth it. I have a wonderful coordinator at my site so I am not paying for a separate one. But I have been to weddings where there is no one "in charge" and it is a hot mess. You do not want to worry about having a hot mess on your hands right before you get married. I know it varies by venue, but are you sure that you will be able to set up the night before? I know many places they don't let you have access to the site until 2-4 hours before the ceremony.
Posted by acaponi87[/QUOTE]


I'm pretty sure she's at the same venue as me, and one of the major pluses of the venue is that you get it basically from Wednesday to Wednesday. It can be set up a few days in advance, and doesn't need to be torn down til a few days after.

entropicbeauty

Yeah Steph - I was told a week to set up for T-Plex but when a couple of us T-Plex brides met this weekend we were warned we should get it in writing from Patricia because apparently in the past she's sort of flaked on details of things she's promised! Just an FYI

entropicbeauty

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_doc-worth?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:88Discussion:068d2d4c-0922-4eb7-aaee-cb41e267fe37Post:782b0cc6-2c47-4aa3-83a9-f38457c63be1">Re: DOC worth it?</a>:
[QUOTE]Absolutely one of the best planning decisions I made.  Not only so she could set up all my DIY projects (including my floral centerpieces) but so she could clean up at the end of the reception. Plus she went around and made sure everything was running smoothly.  She was there but never noticable if that makes sense.  I was starting to get a bit of a headache at the beginning of the reception and she discreetly slipped me some motrin.  Just little things like that which made a world of difference :) Oh and I used Tammara from Grand Jour Events.  She was $300 when I used her but I think she's up to $350 now? ETA:  Also, I am a total control freak but I knew I wouldn't be able to do everything logistically and it killed me to release control to someone else.  But after meeting with Tammara the first time, I had 100% confidence that everything was going to run smoothly (and it did).
Posted by emarston1[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the suggestion! Her prices are totally reasonable, someone on a different board was saying a DOC costs anywhere from $1,000-$2,000 and there's no way I could afford something like that.

Sent her an e-mail :)

If anyone else has suggestions for DOCs they've used or heard about I'm still interested in checking around!

Sue-n-Kevin

I definitely loved having one. I agree with Liz, it was the best planning decision I made.

For us it made sense because I had a lot of DIY, and only access to the venue 2 hrs before the wedding (we did drop off floral arrangements and "stuff" the night of the rehearsal for the DOC to arrange on our wedding day).

I guess it depends on what you need. I had at least 15 DIY items that needed to be set out, or set up (runners, centerpieces, candles, table cloths, cake topper, ceremony programs, card box, bathroom baskets, wreaths for the chapel doors, pew cones..........on and on, LOL). It would have been impossible to do with an army in 2 hrs..........but a trained DOC can get it done (along with the caterer). She also packed everything up to take home that night and helped to put it in the car.

heysupnatalie

I never thought of having one before. But now I really think I should.