Wedding planner/coordinator?

balletgirl12

Hi ladies! I'm new and this is my first post. Do you need to hire a planner or a coordinator? Or do most venues offer them? I'm just really confused as to if I need one or not. Do most of you have one? What do they do and are they expensive? Thank you!

mbcdefg

I did not have one, and I don't regret it for a second.

The florist set up our centerpieces, and MH dropped off our reception items a few days ahead of time and the staff set it up for us on the day of the wedding (place cards, photo collage, signature platter). I only came across one reception hall (Bridgewater Manor) who said they wouldn't set anything up for us and we either had to do it ourselves or hire someone to come in and set up for us.

The maitre d' at the reception hall was very helpful, and the DJ also helped keep things moving.

Then again, I had a pretty simple (by NJ standards) wedding. If you are doing something with a LOT of little details, etc., maybe it's worth it to you. But I didn't find it necessary. Our vendors all did a great job, and we didn't want an event that was so complicated that we couldn't handle it on our own.

kwilkinson14

I do have a wedding planner. Most planners have a variety of services from day of coordination to full planning meaning helping through the entire process. I hired a wedding planner. The main reason why I got one is that I live in Washington DC but having my wedding in NJ. I have no immediate family living in NJ just extended that I'm not really close too. So to ask them to help was not really an option.

The wedding planner has helped with recommending vendors, keeping track of the budget, keeping me to a timeline, providing ideas and suggestions, etc. It has been a big stress reliever for me. I can't really be in NJ all the time and when I am it's on the weekends when most wedding vendors work.

The pricing depends on what you hire the person to do and can vary greatly. I don't think its necessary for some people. But in other cases it makes sense.

backyardbride2010

I think it depends on the type of wedding you are having. I had a tented wedding and I planned it from a different state so it was a necessity. I think if you are abnormally short on time, are having a wedding in a raw space or tent, or there is anything unusual it's a must. If you're looking for a banquet hall wedding and have time to plan, you probably don't need one. But a coordinator for the day can always help, the venue coordinator won't be there if something happens before you get there. 

Laurms15

I had a planner and highly recommend it. She was only there for the day of my wedding so technically she was my DOC (day of coordinator) I was glad to ahve someone else directing our timeline, making sure that everyone got paid and tipped, I was glad I didn't have to bother friends and family with things like that so they could relax and have a blast.

jrgoogrl

I'm having a Day of Coordinator (DOC), because I've been able to handle mostly everything. But the day of I want to know that someone is able to over see everything that is going on. Especially since I have major OCD! So, having my DOC has put my mind at ease and she's also been great with recommendations and stuff as well.

I'm working with Monique of Pampered Bride Weddings.

kwilkinson14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_wedding-plannercoordinator?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:4527207e-0d00-488e-a351-db447e90705bPost:8e98649f-668b-4859-92bb-dd0b1b654ee2">Re: Wedding planner/coordinator?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm working with Monique of Pampered Bride Weddings.
Posted by jrgoogrl[/QUOTE]

@jrgoogrl, I'm also working with Pampered Bride Weddings but have a different planner, Melissa.

Reilly626

I think if you are having a big wedding or out of state wedding and can afford it, go for it, but I didnt need one. I like making decisions for myself and organizing it all.

speidelm

What kind of things does the DOC do? I was thinking about getting one, but didn't know if it was worth it or not.

jrgoogrl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_wedding-plannercoordinator?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:4527207e-0d00-488e-a351-db447e90705bPost:df2646b1-ea7c-4686-81ff-c89ef9b3721a">Re: Wedding planner/coordinator?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding planner/coordinator? : @jrgoogrl, I'm also working with Pampered Bride Weddings but have a different planner, Melissa.
Posted by kwilkinson14[/QUOTE]

That's awesome! All the girls at PBW are great!

DOC jobs are making sure that you, your groom and family are comfortable and have all the attention and service you need while getting ready for the big day.<ul class="bullet"><li style="list-style:none outside none;"><ul class="listDash"><li> Receiving deliveries and greeting vendors</li><li> Distributing copies of your wedding day itinerary to all vendors</li><li> Distribution of final payments and gratuities to all vendors</li><li> Overseeing proper set-up of ceremony location</li><li> Management of Reception Site Set Up: Assure all centerpieces, favors, place cards and décor are properly placed in accordance with couple's décor plan.</li><li> Access to PBW's essential wedding day emergency kit</li><li> Assisting with distribution and pinning of all corsages, boutonnieres, wedding flowers and flower baskets.</li><li>Greeting your guests and directing them to ceremony area</li><li> Finding and ensuring your flower girl and ring bearer are ready to walk down the aisle. Having candy on hand when he or she begins to cry!</li><li> Lining up and cueing wedding party for processional</li><li> Making sure you're ready to walk down the aisle, ensuring you and your dress look absolutely perfect for your entrance</li><li> Ensuring musicians are cued for correct pace and timing</li><li> Ensuring you and your bridal party are prepared for post-ceremony formal pictures</li><li> Ensuring you, your groom and bridal party enjoy the cocktail hour festivities (and food!)</li><li> Ensuring your music entertainment is prepared for your entrance and has correct pronunciation of the members of your bridal party</li></ul> Making sure your makeup looks perfect throughout entire reception and assisting you in the "ladies room" (because we know that dress is big, beautiful and at times, cumbersome!)</li></ul>That's just some of the things they do! I got that off of the PBW website for their discriptions of DOC's

G&G2010

If you decide to use a DOC, make sure it's a good one because although the one I had claimed that her services included all things listed by PP, she only ended up doing about 3 of the 15 things listed.  I found that it was a total waste of money for me. She did practically nothing and the little she did would have been done by the venue. 

That being said, if I had to do it over, I would probably hire one again because I'm a control freak and wanted to know that someone would take care of everything on the day of the wedding so I wouldn't have to worry. However, I would most certainly use a different and more reputable DOC. (I would never recommend Stacey from As You Wish to anyone.)

Ask for actual references & the total number of weddings the person has done.  If you are getting married at a venue with a good staff, it's probably not necessary though. 

backyardbride2010

I just quickly wanted to add that I used Stacey from As You Wish as well and had the completely opposite experience. I just got married last week and I will do reviews once things calm down but I couldn't have done anything without her. She was our planner from day one and on the day of she was amazing. I was calm and didn't worry about a thing. Everything was completely taken care of. Sorry you had that experience but wanted to share mine as well!