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 » Bride World Wide & Grooms Grooves
»  » Any use a Wedding Coordinator?
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Any use a Wedding Coordinator? |
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| P: 8/3/2006 1:09:56 PM | |
IndiBlue Cut Rock Total Posts: 139 Last Post: 9/5/2007 Member Since: 11/4/2005 |
If so, did you find that it helped you to not be so stressed? We're you able to be more hand off? I ask because my FI is begging me to use someone and I'm not sure I'll be any less stressed- Advice/experience anyone?
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 1:09:56 PM | |
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There are 15 replies to this message. There are 15 replies on this page. |
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| P: 8/3/2006 3:15:32 PM | |
piccolascimmia Cut Rock Total Posts: 341 Last Post: 7/6/2009 Member Since: 4/4/2006 |
I'm really curious about everyone's opinions too...except my situation is reversed. I deal with a similar kind of planning all day long at work, and all I want to do is have someone take it over from me (and plus, I am not that girl who has always dreamed of what the wedding would look like, and don't think I'd mind being hands off). But I feel guilty spending so much for a planner when a) my budget is smallish and b) I should be able to do it myself. But I love the idea of someone corralling everything for me, and making it all seem seamless to me!
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 3:15:32 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 3:40:28 PM | |
Tacori E-ring Ideal Rock Total Posts: 16,086 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/15/2005 |
We are, I think she is worth every penny.
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 3:40:28 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 3:44:00 PM | |
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IndiBlue Cut Rock Total Posts: 139 Last Post: 9/5/2007 Member Since: 11/4/2005 |
My budget doesn't exactly have room to pay for one either- My FI's God Mother has offered her help(she's the socialite type), but I wonder if it will really save me any stress. 
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 3:44:00 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 4:30:36 PM | |
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piccolascimmia Cut Rock Total Posts: 341 Last Post: 7/6/2009 Member Since: 4/4/2006 |
Oh, and the other way I'm justifying the cost of the planner is that I am not much of a negotiator, and if the planner is good...they say that they will negotiate much harder than you might and that could be the fee you're paying them. Or if I make a mistake with some negotiation/contract, and have to swallow the cost of something...that too could be the fee you're paying. And I personally believe that having a friend, or friend of the family, do it could be a recipe for disaster...I have gotten burned by trying to save a buck by asking a friend to do something I should really be paying for but then wanting to complain about something but stewing instead because you don't want to cause waves. 
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 4:30:36 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 4:37:59 PM | |
*~Sweetpea~* Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,747 Last Post: 3/20/2008 Member Since: 10/22/2005 |
We're not, but our reception has a day of coordinator included. I have about 16 months left till my wedding and have alot already planned, so I'm confident that I can pull it off mostly myself, plus I'm really enjoying planning the wedding, I'll be sad once I book the photographer and find my florist b/c then all I'll have left is my dress and things like limo and making programs (and other little things I think of along the way). I'm just glad to have her for the reception to tell everyone where to go and what to do.
*~SP~* |
| Posted: 8/3/2006 4:37:59 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 6:08:32 PM | |
Tybee Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,602 Last Post: 1/22/2007 Member Since: 7/26/2004 |
I had NO STRESS on my wedding day because of my wonderful planner! Everything seemed seamless. I would TOTALLY recommend one. My situation was a little different because it was a destination wedding--- but she really put everything together for us. We were really able to just have fun without worying where the flowers were, if the photographer was going to be on time... etc. |
| Posted: 8/3/2006 6:08:32 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 8:32:39 PM | |
jcrow Ideal Rock Total Posts: 6,477 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/8/2005 |
we decided to hire one too. we are just doing a day-of coordinator, though she's going to help out more than just that day. in fact she's already started helping me. we decided to hire her basically because i was the only one planning, and thus the gatekeeper of all info. i know i can tell others and give them lists, but in the end i figured it would be filtered through me the day of. that's too much stress just thinking about it! so i hope, this will make things go smoother and be more behind the scenes. not only can she negotiate, but also she gets things at discount to begin with!
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 8:32:39 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 8:50:17 PM | |
aphisiglovessae Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,140 Last Post: 6/26/2007 Member Since: 4/15/2005 |
I considered it, but rejected the idea for two reasons: 1) We just don't have that kind of money. 2) I'm such a perfectionist and I've always had the philosophy that "if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself." I was pretty sure that I couldn't trust such an important event in the hands of someone else, let alone a stranger. I didn't think my stress level would've been any less with a coordinator at the wheel than if I were to plan it myself. Weddings are stressful, no matter who plans it, IMO. Something always comes up that's going to make you freak out or worry. I'd just prefer to use my money towards something more practical. Just my two cents.
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 8:50:17 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 9:01:14 PM | |
widget Ideal Rock Total Posts: 4,254 Last Post: 12/20/2008 Member Since: 11/12/2004 |
Since I've been active on Pricescope, I've been amazed and filled with admiration for all these young brides...such resourcefulness and energy! I think if it were me, I'd have HAD to include a coordinator in the budget....or I wouldn't have survived to walk down the aisle! LOL.. Just curious...in general, how much does a coordinator cost? widget
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 9:01:14 PM | |
| P: 8/3/2006 9:17:20 PM | |
flopkins Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,025 Last Post: 1/20/2009 Member Since: 11/15/2004 |
I had a very trusted friend do all the coordination the day of, which I HIGHLY recommend. I did pretty much all the planning leading up to the day before the wedding, (I am uber control freak and even if I could afford it I prob wouldn't have gotten a full time coordinator) then from that day on I handed over all the lists and schedules etc... to her. I met w/her a couple times, before the wedding to go over everything, and she met my caterer and florist... she is uber organized and a perfectionist, and she is a friend and knows me, so it all worked out perfectly even though she had never done it before. So if nothing else, I ALWAYS recommend SOMEONE to be in charge the day of - you don't want ppl to come up to you on your wedding day, if something is broken or someone hasn't shown up - to bother you about it. Like my pastor put it - on your wedding day you want to be in a happy bubble where nothing bad can touch you... hehe sounds really corny but I am so glad he insisted that I have a coordinator.  And the best part? it was much cheaper than hiring out a pro, and I just got her a really nice thank you gift!!!
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| Posted: 8/3/2006 9:17:20 PM | |
| P: 8/4/2006 10:41:47 AM | |
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IndiBlue Cut Rock Total Posts: 139 Last Post: 9/5/2007 Member Since: 11/4/2005 |
At first I was worried about having a family memeber of my FI's help me, but the more I think about it the more excited I am to get the help! Even if she relieves just a little bit of the stress I'm anticipating, I'll be thrilled! Plus, it doesn't hurt that she's a lawyer! I'm glad to hear that all of you have had good experiences! Thanks!
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| Posted: 8/4/2006 10:41:47 AM | |
| P: 8/4/2006 2:32:16 PM | |
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Tacori E-ring Ideal Rock Total Posts: 16,086 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/15/2005 |
Not sure how tight your budget is but you can get a day of planner for under $200 (depending what part of the country you are in) so they are not THAT expensive.
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| Posted: 8/4/2006 2:32:16 PM | |
| P: 8/5/2006 8:05:42 AM | |
jas Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,461 Last Post: 11/13/2009 Member Since: 5/9/2006 |
We are using a wedding coordinator. In some ways, she's a time saver, and overall I would recommend a day-of definitely. Our WC helps narrow down vendor choices...so she takes away all of that research. This has been the best part of it so far! However, on the 1-2 areas I didn't agree with her vendor choice (i.e. hotels for blocks...really, my guests are *not* going to pay $300 a night!) I had to do some research. WC will be the "bad guy" for me in terms of negotiating. She's really quite awesome with this...she knows the budget and is keeping us there. (well, except for hotel blocks, but I think she assumes we're not paying for that, so it's every guest for his/herself *snerk*) She also is running some errands pre-wedding...she's going to Kinko's with the programs, for example. Where she is also invaluable is keeping in mind all of the details and reminding me of little nicities. For example, she is getting me to think of where to put the wedding programs at the ceremony -- do I want a basket? A silver tray? Where do we want the band in the room? If there by a certain wall, people will walk in and see amp cords and things. I would have never considered that. Things like that. For a big-picture person like myself, that is very helpful. She also has access to people (yeah, I know, kickbacks and all that)...she has offered me a "dresser" who will come in and make sure my dress is pressed and any last minute seamstressy things are taken care of. She'll also make sure I get the dress on correctly. (Not really an issue for me, but I can see with an intricate dress how that could be a process. For me -- arms up and slide my head through the hole.) Mine has very definite opinions. A less opinionated person than myself might get run over with that, but I like it. That may just be a personality thing, though. She always defers to my opinions, but I love the suggestions she gives. She makes me think of new ways of approaching things. She is also a good logistician -- she's helping me map out day-of activities. Her job there is not only to "direct" behind the scenes, but also to keep focus on me and FI. This is critical for my friends/family especially (the High Maintenance Gang)...it would be all to easy for me to run around and worry about everyone else! Now that's her job. And, she's overly thrilled to tell me about the brunch she'll bring along. (Bagels! Whoo! Ok, I'm a bagel lover. Sorry) In this time of stress, it is also helpful for me to have someone going, "No problem." And looking at me like, "Why are you worried about this?" I would consider what is important to you in the planning stages, whether you have the time to tend to the small details, whether you are or are not a small-picture person, how much your time is worth. Also consider the personalities involved. Think of her/him as your wedding, ummmm...I was going to say p*mp but that's not quite right. Your wedding bodyguard with your best interests in mind. Best wishes with whatever you decide!
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| Posted: 8/5/2006 8:05:42 AM | |
| P: 8/8/2006 2:28:07 PM | |
ChargerGrrl Ideal Rock Total Posts: 2,485 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 8/17/2005 |
Date: 8/3/2006 3:15:32 PM Author: piccolascimmia I'm really curious about everyone's opinions too...except my situation is reversed. I deal with a similar kind of planning all day long at work, and all I want to do is have someone take it over from me (and plus, I am not that girl who has always dreamed of what the wedding would look like, and don't think I'd mind being hands off). But I feel guilty spending so much for a planner when a) my budget is smallish and b) I should be able to do it myself. But I love the idea of someone corralling everything for me, and making it all seem seamless to me! picco- I'm in a similar situation... i do a bit of event planning in my job, so I'm totally familiar with it and know that it doesn't really take a ton to create a memorable event. My thought was that even though I'm type A and a perfectionist, I really want to let go that day and hand off all the details to someone else- a "day-of"coordinator. But I was cringing at the thought of paying someone upwards of $700 for what I know I can do myself. Plus, our wedding is somewhat manageable- 75 guests, ceremony & reception in the same place, low-key bride, etc... Anyway (sorry that this is long-winded!), I found a gal on craigslist that is starting up her own coordinating service and needs the experience. Mind you, she is no newbie- having worked in the wedding industry as a florist and at a baker for a couple of years. I met with her and we clicked. I am absolutely certain that she can handle the job!
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| Posted: 8/8/2006 2:28:07 PM | |
| P: 8/8/2006 4:59:02 PM | |
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piccolascimmia Cut Rock Total Posts: 341 Last Post: 7/6/2009 Member Since: 4/4/2006 |
Thanks ChargerGrrl...I'm no Type A, but the planning I do daily isn't so much event planning as it is just coordinating difficult people, projects and tasks. So I can't even really say that I'm well versed enough in event planning to do this. I've read online that for full planning, expect to pay anywhere from 10-15% of the total budget on the WP fee. Does anyone have experience in this full planning fee? The quote so far was a flat fee for all planning tasks between now and after the wedding...very all inclusive. At an all inclusive price, too! I will try to negotiate it down, and I've got an interview with WP #2 tomorrow...and will see if his price is any lower than the other one. So...I'm wrestling my guilt over paying a tidy sum for something it seems everyone does themselves vs. knowing how much I'm dreading planning and wanting to hand the reins over to someone else. My FH is supportive either way, and is fine with the fee. Any opinions?
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| Posted: 8/8/2006 4:59:02 PM | |
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