Wedding consultants/Day of Coordinators?

Mrs.Ptobe Posted: Dec 29, 2005 04:31 PM

Wedding consultants/Day of Coordinators?

What is the difference and what makes people decide to get one?

I was asking b/c I was watching 'Bridezillas' on TV yesterday and noticed that the brides just seemed to have one more person to yell at. Seriously, thought since FH's son will be there it may be useful to have someone coordinating the event (to keep the kid in line without me having to raise my voice and get dirty looks from his family! Someone else could order him around and keep him busy). FH's cousin was just telling me the other day that her son was a Ring Bearer a few years ago and he came down the aisle holding the ring pillow by the tassels and tossing it about then during the ceremony ended up hiding under the brides dress - that's right in the middle of a church ceremony he decided that the bottom of her dress would make a great 'tent' or hideout. The bride had a good sense of humor - not sure I'd find the humor in it if it were me and a kid went up my dress. Babysitter helps for the reception, but especially if you aren't getting married in a religious institution - how do you 'teach' the children what to do at the wedding - do you do a rehearsal at the hall????

Thoughts?

Tina120206 Posted: Dec 29, 2005 04:38 PM

Re: Wedding consultants/Day of Coordinators?

We are not having any kids at our wedding, but when we spoke with Rosalie about what she does in her role as DOC she spent alot of time talking about entertaining kids if we had them. She mentioned bringing games, coloring books, etc. to keep them occupied and out of trouble. Try reaching out to her, she has tons of ideas to help you. That is what she is there for.

Mrs.Ptobe Posted: Dec 29, 2005 04:47 PM

Re: Wedding consultants/Day of Coordinators?

I agree, I need someone to convince FH that we aren't 'excluding' his son by allowing the kids to go up to the Bridal Suite and watch DVD's or play games - he gets very defensive and it's been the only topic of conversation pertaining to the wedding that get's heated. I mean - the child is basically attending a wedding without parental supervision - his father's a guest of honor and no way is his ex wife invited - not appropriate at all and would kill the kid (he's very uncomfortable around his mother and I in the same place) and FH's parents are the most uninvolved grandparents you'll ever meet - the kid can be hanging from the rafters they just act like nothing going on. Anyway, he and his family have this thing that the child needs to be seen and heard even if it means he's destroying the place or being obnoxious. Best way to keep them occupied is to not let them get bored and I like that a coordinator may open FH's eyes - is it an expensive thing?

October Bliss Posted: Dec 29, 2005 08:57 PM

Re: Wedding consultants/Day of Coordinators?

Wedding Consultant = person to help with the planning, help set up all vendor appointments (or attend them instead of or with you), make recommendations for vendors if you want to do it yourself. Very helpful for OOT bride or destination wedding.

Day of Coordinator = person to make sure the day runs smoothly: verifies all details w/ vendors the week of, keeps bride calm, makes sure people are where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be there, keeps the bride calm, fixes things that go wrong (as in sew dress or bustle if someone steps on it - yes the bridal attendant is supposed to do this, but coordinator is also there for this; but other things can go wrong, pinning bouts on the guys when they can't), keeps the bride calm, makes sure the hall has set everything up the way the bride wants it (as in bathroom basket in place, favors in place, memory candles in place), keep the bride calm, grabs wandering family members for photo shoot so that the bridal party doesn't have to, keeps the bride calm.

I decided to get one because my ceremony is not at reception hall it is at a private residence. I have parking issues, decoration issues, groom arriving at ceremony by boat issues, stuff that needs to be transported to ceremony, and then all the stuff for the reception like bathroom baskets, and favors and possibly memory candle. I don't want to have a worry in the world that day, and after I hired my coordinator - Francesca from Dazzling Affairs - I felt much calmer.