Day of Coordinator- mostly question for MG :)

gymchick05

I was wondering for those of you who used one, what exactly does the DOC do? How much did it cost (estimate is great)?  For those who didnt use one, do you think you should have? Who helped you the day of?

I am just curious- I still have 11 months, but I wasnt sure if the ppl at the venue do stuff like putting out place/escort cards, favors at the tables, setting up a candy buffet, or do you need to hire someone to do this?

Thanks so much!

mbcdefg

We didn't hire a coordinator. We dropped off our place cards, signature platter, etc., at the hall a few days beforehand and someone set it up for us on the wedding day.
 
We only visited one hall (Bridgewater Manor) where they said that they would not set up DIY centerpieces for us. Either we had to hire a florist for floral centerpieces, hire someone to come in and set up DIY centerpieces for us, or come in ourselves and set them up. IDK if that was also true for things like a candy buffet, favors, etc.

Call your hall and ask.

akmackay

I didn't have one. I kind of ran the show the day of, minus sending my BMs to the church to put the bows on the pews/deliver the unity candle. That was the only thing I didn't have handled by the other vendors. Maitre D did everything as far as setting things up, making sure everything got done at the venue etc. I deal well with stress and last minute things, and know how to delegate, so I was fine not having a DOC but for those who are not, I would recommend it for ease of mind.

Swan21

I didn't have a coordinator, but the maitre'd at the hotel was fantastic, she did everything I would have expected a DOC to do

Laurms15

I had one and she was very helpful. She had my to-do list and my schedule and kept everything moving at the right pace. She made sure that everyone was where they needed to be and set up our favors, candy bar, and anything else that needed to be set. At the end of the night everything was packed up by her and her staff and I didn't have to lift a finger. As far as I know nothing went wrong if it did she would have solved it.

stapletond

I didn't hire one...I'll let you know in 11 days if that was a mistake.  I have an amazing and  organized MOH who will make sure we follow our schedule.  Once we are at the venue, our manager will take care of us, so I'm not too worried.  I asked other brides who got married at our venue whether or not we needed a DOC, and everyone said no.  I trust our venue.

stapletond

Oh, we are doing a candy buffet too.  Our venue said they would set it up for us, but my Mom didn't want to be bothered at the end of the night (taking things down, etc.) so she hired some lady to do the candy buffet.

AlmostLoCo

I didn't have one, and it wasn't the end of the world, but if I had it to do over again I might consider hiring one or at least delegating more to the wedding party.  My venue and other vendors took care of everything set-up wise and timing wise but there were some little things I had to take care of on the wedding day that I wish I didn't.  We did a quick rehearsal day of, and I felt a little silly in my wedding gown directing people where to stand. I also had to make the final vendor payments and pay the tips (ended up having the BM do this for me), etc. There were some little things that slipped through the cracks that I think a coordinator would have handled like that the first set of pictures with my girls, they weren't holding their bouquets; or making sure that everything was packed up for us at the end of the night (the maitre'd forgot to give us a couple things and I had to remind her). 

In my case nobody in my wedding party offered to help me out and I didn't want to put them to work, but I probably should have asked a couple of them to help me out with these tasks.  

goaliegirl

We did not hire one and I am so glad I didn't waste the money.    We dropped everything off at the venue several days before, with a detailed list of where we wanted everything, including favors, programs, bathroom baskets, kid's table activities, table numbers/easels, hockey jersey for everyone to sign, place cards, etc.     The day of everything was set up perfectly by our maitre d.    We got married at the venue and he directed everyone for the ceremony and took care of everything all night.   At the end of the night, he packed up everything for us and even brought it out to my parent's car, as they were taking it all home.    

As for payments and tips, I had everything in labeled envelopes and I gave them to my mom and stepfather to hand out to everyone.   At the end of the night, I think I ended up giving out a few of the tips because I really wanted to thank our vendors for doing such an amazing job. 

our venue told us that they would set up a candy bar when i was considering doing it, but then I changed my mind towards the end.  

I really can't think of anything that a DOC would have done that my maitre d didn't do for us.    So, I don't think a DOC is necessary.

cherylanddan0706

I had a DOC and LOVED having her.  The issue is, you are going to get people saying "they are glad they didn't have one" (unless something happened) and "I am so glad I had one", I think the best thing is to be sure you trust your venue to handle everything, my DOC and my MD worked VERY well together, and am glad I had her, I had 2 people and nothing was missed at all.  Some of them charge a lot of money, w hich I think is very unnecessary for a DOC, they are only 1 day, and I don't believe the amount which some charge is right (I had some sick quotes that I won't even go into).

My DOC was new to her own business, I am not sure what her price is now, but a lot of girls have chosen to use her and are very happy. 

I'd see how well you feel with your venue, and go from there.