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Florida-West Coast

Wedding coordinator? Worth it?

So we have a wedding with a gust list already exceeding 200. We are hoping a lot of them won't show up because there are a lot of out of town guests. My mom originally wanted to be the wedding coordinator but she's prone to stressing out extremely easily and right now any wedding conversation is extremely tense. I'm dealing with that and I understand what she's stressing about so I'm starting to interview wedding coordinators. A cost I will pay for among many other things. But with this being a very low budget wedding...well as low as we can get it...and the first interview pricing me a $2500 package I'm beginning to wonder if it's an expense that will pay off. I want to know if the coordinator, even with her own seperate expense, can really save me money and keep me on budget. They seem to have acces to a lot of discounts from vendors and they can double for my mom when she's not in the wedding mood and help me with advice about all my DIYing. So...who has experience with this and some good advice? ; )

Re: Wedding coordinator? Worth it?

  • edited December 2011
    I suggest have key family memebers be your go to people for wedding tasks. A wedding coordinator , to me, is a waste of money. I am planning my own wedding and keping my wedding on track. Get your food and venues done then committ to alot of DIY's. Remember your bridesmaids are there to help you.
  • chescamchescam member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have most of my vendors booked. I decided that I should probably hire a day of planner just to make sure that things run smoothly. When I talked to planners the prices they quoted were outright ridiculous. It was like they didn't listen to what I was asking for. All I wanted was someone to be there on the wedding day to coordinate the ceremony and reception (basically provide a timeline etc. no setting up). I know I wouldn't pay someone $1800 to do this. FI agreed and we decided to just use a close friend to coordinate. 

    Only you know for  sure how much help you will need. I know that I didn't want our parents doing planning because they stress out easily over little things. If you need lots of help when it comes to designing, decor, set up etc. I would suggest going with a planner. 
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  • edited December 2011
    Whoa those are ridiculous. I'm using Julie from Chic Designs & Fabulous Events.. don't quote me on this but I think her day of package is 800. WAY more reasonable than 1800. This woman will not let a vendor get to you on your day. You can just tell. She's definitely someone you want on your side ;]

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  • edited December 2011
    With a wedding that large, I can't imagine NOT having a coordinator. I had a wedding with about 90 people and needed a planner! She helped me do DIY projects, worked with my vendors, set up, break down, I mean I couldn't have asked for more! Her rates were certainly not as high as the one you just received a quote from. I would keep looking, but I definitely think you NEED one and it is not a waste of money. I would have no idea what I would have done without my planner.
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  • edited December 2011
    Honestly, it really depends on your venue.  Some venues are completely DIY and don't offer much assistance.  I had my wedding at the Mirror Lake Lyceum and the owner there was amazing!  Between him, the catering manager, and DJ, they did it all.  It would have been a complete waste for us.  If you don't have a venue booked yet, I would take this factor into consideration when making your choice.  GL!
    Brooke + Chavis
    est. 10/10/10


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  • questvcquestvc member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    A Wedding Coordinator is so WORTH IT!!!  I also used Julie with Chic Designs & Fabulous Events for my wedding last year.  She was my DOC and her packages for that were $800...I did pay a lttle more because my wedding was in Miami so there were travel fees that I was responsible for.  As other brides mentioned some venues do offer Coordinators but I experienced that those Coordinators were only responsible for their venue.  They would not contact any of my outside vendors for me nor would they do Timelines etc. Most important to me was that Julie was there from the beginning of the day until the very end when the last vendor left making sure that everything was left exactly the way that it should have been. My family did not have to get involved in any of the set up process, and I was able to enjoy a my day with my Bridal Party and getting ready with the girls!  Julie saved me $ on Venue, Floral, Linen and my Cake...basically I was able to pay her fees with money that she saved me and still had a little more savings...can't beat that!  I can go on and on about how pleased I was with her...if you would like additional information please feel FREE to PM me.

    HTH! 
  • edited December 2011
    Would you mind telling me who you went through. We live in the same area : )
  • edited December 2011
    I have some experience with on sight coordinators and the day of they don't really seem to be much help oraginzing where everyone needs to go. So that's why I was looking for a coordinator. Thanks for all the advice. I'm gonna keep looking and comparing prices to see who has the best deal and who will have enough experience. Thanks again everyone.
  • rmjones6rmjones6 member
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    SO Worth it!!! Check at Monica from Elan Event Studio! She is making this process effortless and painless! She has great idea, knows great vendors and is handling all of the day of things for my wedding! Plus great prices!
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