Opinions on 'day-of coordinator'???

Hi Ladies,
I consider myself to be a VERY organized and detailed bride but a few people have suggested I look into hiring one of these. I met with someone last night . This is the one thing my FI is totally not buying. He said $500 is ridiculous (He believes I could run this shabbang very smoothly, in fact he thinks I should become a coordinator). What do you guys think???????

I'm so organized, and quite frankly a little (or a lot) anal, LOL
So I woulnd't hire one. I can't even think about leaving things up to a stranger. My sister will help me the 'day of'.

That's JMO. I don't know if I'm really good advice on this, b/c I have control issues

I am VERY organized and still hired one because there were things that I wanted to be taken care of that I didnt want to deal with on that day AND I refuse to make my guests work at my wedding.

I was very glad I had her! There are several things that would not have run quite as smoothly or got done if she wasnt there.

I used to be a wedding coordinator and my opinion is this: Very few brides NEED one (unless you are using novice vendors or are very disorganized yourself or have a huge bridal party). However, what is $500 for peace of mind? Its a personal decision but its not THAT much in the scheme of things.

I think its a good idea because you want everything to be taken care of and you will have enough to worry about tht day. You must enjoy your day and if your spreading yourself thin trying to do everything, I think you might get a little stressed and you won't be able to enjoy everything as much. Since your very organized I would def suggest a very detailed meeting with the coordinator so she/he knows exactly what you want and how you want it. I think it is def worth the 500 dollars only if they can guarantee they will do everything to your liking. Ley me know what happens, I am also considering this

Have you checked with other brides that held thier reception in the same place you are? The bridal attend. and MD we had at Watermill had everything 100% under control. I didnt have to worry about a thing. Of course you really dont know this until the day of unless you hear about specific staff before hand. One of my cousins offered to assist with everything at the ceremony. She was actually a big help setting things up, keeping the 4 flowergirls calm, and making sure everything that was supposed to be returned was.

I guess it comes down to is it going to buy you piece of mind on your wedding day or not. Good Luck

Thank you ladies for all your feedback. I will take all this into consideration and think it over

Verdilla, I personally agree with your way of thinking, however I would NOT say it is a frivolous waste of money to anyone.
Piece of mind for me means controlling everything, however piece of mind for others may mean having someone there dedicated only to the task of making sure things run smoothly.
And to them, it's worth every penny

Honestly though that's my opinion......as I said in the post.

Meaning of frivolous:
silly, trivial, lighthearted, flippant.

I didnt say it was STUPID, I said it was a silly way to spend 500 bucks. MY OPINION as I thought I was entitled to have. Geez.

I've been toying with this idea myself. I'm leaning towards the fact that the attendant and maitre'd are experts at making sure the wedding day goes smooth. Unless you're getting married someplace really unique where they're not used to 'wedding day' issues, I would think the reception hall people are more than sufficient.

JMO!!!!

Just to give you an idea of what my coordinator did for me, Ive listed a few things below. I know she did A LOT more than I even know about but here are the highlights.

Getting Ready:
1)Ran out to get white nail polish after I had destroyed my manicure being clumsy
2)Put rose petals in cones and in basket for church
3)Kept my bridal party moving in terms of getting ready with only one bathroom and one bedroom
4)Entertained my flowergirl when she was driving everyone crazy
5)Tried to keep me on schedule
6)Brought everything I needed to church/reception that were last minute additions
7)Rounded up the crew to get everyone in limos as I was still running late (not her fault) and keep peopel out of my hair
8)Gave vendors last minute direction, etc..

Ceremony:
1)Set up programs
2)Made sure florist had delivered what was in the contract and helped set up pew bows
3)Gave out rose petal cones
4)Kept my guests all in one place when my strap had broke and I had to run off for a few minutes

Reception
1) Set room just as I wanted it
2) Tracked timing of everything
3) Confirmed with band what my selections were, etc.. made sure they followed
4) Dealt with injured guests/paramedics/cops
5)Encouraged everyone to sign my guestplate
6)Lit my placecard candles
7)Box all of my stuff up so I could have it picked up the next day

With the exception of a few thigns on this list - I would have to deal with all of it and a lot more. I know I COULD have done it but I really didnt want to be bothered. I didnt have to bat an eyelash to get anythign done - all I had to do is call over my coordinator and ask.

Edited to add that she moved all my ceremony flowers and pew bows to the reception which was a big deal for me because it allowed me to reuse a all of those flowers that were EXPENSIVE!

I know it seems like a lot of this stuff is done at the reception site but I know for a FACT that many reception sites do it their way NO MATTER what you say. Luckily for most brides, their way is the standard way that most brides want. I dont like standard so I needed a little help with a few things.

I guess I can see your point on alot of those things....but my vendors already did most these things....

Florist delivered several items directly to church & set up pew bows and altar arrangements.

Limo driver coordinated and lined us all up and coordinated the entire day with photog/video.

Groomsmen handed out programs & bubbles as well as escorted the guests into the church.

Everything needed at the hall was delivered days before. Once we got the the hall, bridal attendant kept us in line and Maitre D ran the affair.

Fortunately we did not have any injuries and I did not have any major mishaps myself. So, I dont know maybe it is peace of mind for some -- to others its another just another price tag.

Edited to say: bridal attendant boxed up all of our things even our top layer of cake and my parents brought it all home.

I am using one of my readers to help me with the programs, making sure everything is at the church. Then at the reception, making sure the menus are out, the favors are getting handed out when they are supposed to....
I want someone that I completely trust taking over the things that I will have over my head b/c like Lizlen said 'I am anal'. And I know my reader. She is worse than I am! And if something is missing or needs to be done, she will take over and handle it. She would only be doing 'work' per say before the ceremony and cocktail hour.
I guess its up to you if you want one and can afford it or not.

Verdilla, I never said you weren't entitled to your opinion, I actually feel the same way - for myself. I would never say you couldnt give your opinion. I just thought you might have offended some Brides who want a coordinator a little bit by saying it was frivolous. You didnt offend me at all personally. I was just offering my opinion on your comment. I try not to tell any Brides their ideas are silly, etc. . .
I didnt mean to offend you in turn.

I agree with Verdila.. and like I said in a dif thread..I have 12 bridesmaids.. if they can't keep me together on my wedding day, no one can.. lol I guess I always thought that bridesMAIDS are there to help you in every way..

and on another note, we all spend soo much money on all these vendors, that you know what? everyone should go over with their vendors just exactly what their responsbilities are.....

I'm sorry if I offended any brides by calling it a frivolous way to spend money- but wasnt the post was labeled 'Opinions on......'

And last I checked, sometimes opinions do differ be it for or against an idea.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on this. I have worked for brides who practically gave me their first born because they were so glad they had me there and I have had brides who I did virtually nothing for. Its really all about your family and you. I wasnt going to use one because I thought I had it all wrapped up but in the final weeks I decided that I was not going to ask my friends/family to worry about anything and I didnt want to worry about it either - I just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves 100%. But if you cant afford $500 more or just dont want to have one more bill - then you CAN skip it, most brides do.

PS: I think wedding expenses in general are frivilous so I can see where that view point comes from completely. I mean - isnt it silly that we get all dressed up and pay for hundreds of our friends to eat dinner?

Frivilous indeed............