Wedding planner for day of wedding?

[selflove]

I''m starting to think it might be good to hire someone for the day of the wedding to help me with some stuff...like decorating the reception site, and I dunno, maybe coordinate some stuff, make sure that things are going as planned? Any idea how much I would pay for something like that, just for the day of the wedding? I''m kind of wondering if for a 60-guest wedding I should just handle this all myself? Thing is, that we may not be able to get into the venue to decorate until 1-hour prior to our reception, and I''ll be at the church so that''s not possible! I might have the option of reserving the room earlier but I''ll have to weigh the cost of that with the cost of hiring someone to do some of this prep for me.

It''s funny b/c sometimes I think that I''m too tight with the pursestrings and other times I think I am doling out way too much for frivolous things! ARGH! But I think this would be money well spent b/c I think this day-of stuff may be what is weighing on me the most.

TIA for any suggestions, thoughts, experiences you can share!!

 

[peonygirl]

Here in San Diego a day-of coordinator will cost you $500. We are not using one though because my dad''s long-term girlfriend is a bit of a wedding expert and has offered to do it for us.

It is def. a good investment, depending on how complicated your wedding is.

 

[Faerievert]

We have a woman who comes with the reception site, I have to talk to her about how much exactly she''ll be helping. I also asked the sister of a bridesmaid to be my day-of coordinator. She''s graduating in may with a hospitality degree and did her senior project on wedding planning, so she''s totally stoked about the idea.

We don''t have much to do that day really though. About an hour of decorating (we''re gonna try to round up about 8 people not in the wedding party for that), and someone needs to deal with the people delivering the dance floor and wedding cake before the ceremony, and the chocolate fountain person getting set up after the ceremony. The caterer is in-house, the florist will deliver to the hotel because we only have ''people'' flowers, not decorative flowers. We don''t have any other vendors (like a dj, limo, etc.). She''ll also be in charge of the laptop controlling the play lists, but doesn''t like microphones, so she wimped out of being our MC. We''ll just get someone else to make the few announcements we need I guess.

 

[gongjoo143]

I''m getting married at a winery and they require a Day-of coordinator, so I had to get one. I ended up hiring her to help me with more of the planning (because I''m planning long distance) and it''s been the best decision ever! I feel really confidant that the whole wedding weekend will run smoothly, and I won''t be stressed out by the small details because she will take care of everything.

I highly suggest hiring one! even just for peace of mind so you know you can relax and enjoy yourself.

 

[San Diego Bride]

my day of planner cost $550. it seemed like a lot of money, but i really think it will be perfect. she''ll coordinate all of the vendors, make sure the ceremony and reception sites are set up the way we want them, cue the musicians and the bridal party, make sure everyone gets the right entree, help cleanup after the reception, pack up anything that needs to be taken out and put it in the appropriate car, and a lot more. she''ll even get some extra food from the kitchen and take it to our bridal suite for us along with rose petals and candles! i''m really excited. i just want to be able to show up and enjoy the day.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I'm also thinking of a "day of" person to do all the little things, and make sure nothing falls thru the cracks. However, I don't want to spend a ton of money, as our wedding will be small (75 guests), and I would have everything leading up to that day covered (after all, I do some event planning for my job!).

So I searched for "day of" coordinators on craigslist, and came up with a couple of good prospects. One in particular, is located in the SF Valley. We chatted once on the phone and would hire her, but I think it's a bit of a haul to Temecula (where the wedding/reception will be). Her minimum is around $250, which is well worth it!

I will be in San Diego for biz this week and have scheduled a consultation with a gal I also found on craigslist. She's located in Carlsbad- MUCH closer to Temecula, but further away from you. Her fee is also around $250 for "day of" services.

Let me know if you want additional info, and I'll email ya!

 

[selflove]

Hey everyone, thank you for your opinions...I think I am going to give this serious consideration, in the few short weeks I have left.

The events manager said she would do some of it (for a fee!) but I don''t get the best vibe from her--she''s the one who insisted that the first dance is always done after the dinner and was insistent about where to put the dance floor (simply b/c it was easier for the waiters to get in and out of the room). So I don''t really want to use her.

ChargerGrrl--I would love to get the contact info of the coordinator from the Valley! Can you email it to me? Thanks so much!

I had a bit of nerves tonight at Michael''s when I realized that it was actually close enough to start printing the placecards and do the seating chart.

I think having someone taking charge will really ease my mind, and that''s worth practically whatever they choose to charge me!

 

[Selkie]

Hi selflove,
I just asked this in the "planning from afar" thread, but I was wondering if things had worked out with the priest and church in Slovenia?

selkie

 

[flopkins]

selflove- I didn''t hire a professional, but I had a friend of mine coordinate everything the day of. She''s a good friend and a control freak and did a fantastic job... I just met up w/her a few times before the wedding, the most useful was the week before when I showed her all the decor and stuff, and she could see what I wanted. Then I asked a bunch of my friends to help out, and just do whatever the coordinator asked. I had an amazing group of about 8-10 friends ( more like 4-5 plus their bfs! hehe ) and they pulled everything off FANTASTICALLY!!

If you have some friends that are attending the wedding that you trust, I would definitely go that way.

One of the big things my pastor emphasized about the wedding was that ON the wedding day, leave all the logistics etc... to someone else - you shouldn''t have to hear about anything not showing up, or anything going wrong... you should just be there to enjoy your day... and that really made a huge difference for me to have someone I trusted in charge!

If because of the location or whatever you need to hire out, I would definitley do it, it will be worth it I think, just for the peace of mind.

 

[hawaii_justine]

Hi,

As an event planner and having experienced some heart ache at my own wedding I would highly suggest going with a day of coordinator. There are a million little details that can go wrong with any wedding, no matter how well you plan. The last thing you want is for a small detail to end up ruining your big day. A day of coordinator is great because they can take care (and usually forsee) any problems that arise without you even having to know. Event planners range in price depending on how much time they will be spending on your event, where your wedding will be taking place (hotel vs beach setting) and their experience. Hope your day goes great.

Justine

 

[FireGoddess]

I definitely think a day-of wedding planner is a good idea. I didn''t want to spend the money, but I think I probably should have. There are usually things that come up (like for me, 50 uninvited people!) and it''s just best if you''re not the one that has to deal with those things!!! My MOH and her husband did some of it, and I delegated stuff, but some things that spring up out of the blue, it''s best if someone else gets to deal with it!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

My dad works with a lady who used to be a wedding planner and she offered to be our day of planner. I think my mom is the one who is the most relieve because it takes some pressure off her. We are the first family on both sides so no one knows what we are doing

She will give us all some peace of mind.

 

[ello]

For a busy life style it would be wonderful to have a wedding planner/assistant, It can be expensive I hear but could be worth it considering it will minimize stress and keep you sane!

 

[firebirdgold]

I wouldn''t think of doing without one no matter what the size of the wedding! The very last thing I''d want to think about the day of is if everything is going smoothly. Getting married is in itself a big enough challenge. And do you really want to be worrying about placecards or whatever as you''re putting on your dress?