to DOC or not to DOC?

zulamay

First message got deleted!  Trying again...

The DOC conversation has me wondering....I was not planning to get a DOC because the hotel offers a wedding coordinator.  But my gut is telling me to get one...I have a lot of DIY decor and I have not seen many pictures of my venue where everything has been kicked up a notch.  It's going to stretch my budget if I do this.  I'm also worried that the coordinator will take over - a friend of mine had her wedding day completely ruined by her coordinator, to the point she wouldn't talk to the woman by the end of the night. Thoughts? Opinions?  

crhein26

The most important thing about hiring a DOC is that you click with him/her.  If you don't "fall in love" with them during your meeting with them, then you need to continue looking for one.  They are going to be there to make sure that everything gets set up properly at your reception hall....all the little details that the hotel coordinator overlooks, your DOC may not.  And you have to be very up front with your wedding coordinator.  If you want things done a certain way, then specify that.  They are going to ask you questions that you may have not thought about.  Things that you haven't even considered.  These are all good things.  You can get a DOC to be with you from early on while you are getting ready or you can have one just to set up the hall and make sure all your vendors arrive on time.  There are very broad ranges of DOC's.  It all depends on how much help you want/need on your wedding day.  Maybe consider talking to the hotel wedding coordinator and see just exactly what they offer.  What is it they will set up for you and what they won't set up for you.  If they are willing to do everything you want them to, then you really don't need a DOC.  Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

Sue-n-Kevin

Zulamay, I had the same discussion with myself you are having. I have a TON of DIY, and we don't have a coordinator at our venue (historic village in Livonia). They provide someone on the day of the wedding to "assist", but not to set up.

I bit the bullet with my budget and hired one. The primary reason is that I have SO MUCH DIY, and we can't get into the venue until 2 hrs beforehand for any sort of setup. I am using the chapel there, as well as the banquet facility, meaning the DOC has to go from setting up my items in the chapel beforehand, to then moving along to the banquet facility.

Consider how much DIY you have, the amount of tables, when you can get into your venue, and then decide. For me, I have the following:

Pew cones for chapel
Programs for the ceremony

Probably decorating the chapel bannisters on outdoor steps

Shepherd hooks around the outdoor tent with metal luminaries

Some sort of lighting for the tent

Inside the banquet facility
Tablecloths I purchased
Table runners I made
Placemats
Photobook-guestbook
Candles, centerpieces
Cardbox
Bathroom baskets

I'm sure I"m missing some things. Plus, your DOC works with ALL your vendors to make sure they are completing their tasks as well. For example, my DJ is also my officiant, and he is supplying bartender and probably liquor. I also had to hire a caterer to bring in their food & set that up. The DOC has everyone's phone number and will meet with us ahead of time, prepare a "day of" timeline, and make sure everyone is working together to make it appear seamless. They are experts on this, and honestly, while your friend may have had a bad experience, most DOC's are a dream to work with and only want to make YOU happy. They will only do what you want, and also anticipate your every need based on the discussions or emails you have beforehand.

If I were you, I'd arrange a meeting with your hotel's wedding coordinator and see exactly what it is they are willing to do on your wedding day, or beforehand. If there is no event in your room the day before (which can change if someone books it), maybe they can arrange to get your tables set up, or maybe this is something they simply WON'T do as part of your package. It would be good to know now as you go through this conversation in your head.

Good luck.

zulamay

I am going to set up a meeting with the hotel coordinator...just have to wait for the blizzard to pass.  I found a DOC that I really click with, but her price is pretty steep.  She was really honest with me and said she thinks I might be able to get by without her, but I think she would give me a lot of peace of mind.  I'll line up a few more things and make a decision.