Anyone not having a Day of Coordinator?

I'm thinking about whether or not I should have one ... My FMIL wants to set up so bad and doesn't see an issue. My concerns are 1. She's type A and would probably end up over stressing

2. It's her sons wedding day

3. It's her anniversary

4. She would probably just do what ever she wants (chair covers lol)

5. She should relax and enjoy her day

But then I think ugh a day of coordinator is expensive lol more likely then not I will probably hire one .. apparently if you look and search hard some do have very good prices..

If family is asking to help let them help! If a DOC isn't in the budget then family is the next best option. All of my family is going to pitch in and help set up the day before. I have a friend that I wanted to include in wedding plans who is very organized so I put her in charge as my "DOC" so that I don't have to worry about the little things. If people want to help let them help in areas that they are strong at and maybe get them a little something for a thank you.

I don't have a choice but to not have a DOC. Honestly I didn't even have the option. Our wedding started out at 50 to 60 friends we are now at 100, it was just going to be this nice simple affair. Not so much now. But there is no way that I could have a DOC. So that's what friends are for. I can't even say family because I don't have any family that is willing to help. My family are willing to come party, but not one of them have asked if there is anything they can do to help. So on my wedding day I will be there at the hall with my partner and my MOH and her husband setting up the decorations, the tables and the way things are going the buffet. IF you have people willing to help you, grab them, take them up on their offer, be there for them when they need a helping hand. Buy them a drink, make a special toast to each and every one of them, laugh with them, give them a hug and by all means cherish them. Family and friends like that are truly special. By the sounds of your post you WILL get all accomplished with the help of family and friends no need for a DOC. You go this!!

It seems like you'll be fine on set-up and decor, I'd just think through who is going to be the point person on the wedding day for making sure vendors arrive on time, fielding calls and questions from vendors, who's in charge of executing a plan B if something goes wrong, who is in charge of the timeline and making sure things are happening on time and moving along!

You always want to prepare for the worst. We had an unexpected hurricane the day of my wedding and my wedding planner took over and made everything work!!

My family is also helping us set up the decorations the day before. I am having my old youth leader as my day of wedding coordinator. Really all she is doing is telling people when to walk down the isle though and making sure certain things get taken to the reception.

Since it's absolutely out of your budget, I'm not going to bother with the benefits of a DOC.

Here are my tips (this is what I will be doing)

- Plan everything ahead of time. Know exactly what you need to get done and how much time it will take. I would print out a map of the room with all the details. I will have a paper showing how I want tables (including EXACTLY what I want the centerpieces to look like and labeled with names for escort cards), chair setup, aisle decorations, etc.

- Tips in labeled envelopes. Give these to someone you trust to hand out to vendors

- Have everything ready to go beforehand. Meaning decorations, tablecloths, etc. in the car the night before. Anything that can't sit in the car? Sits by the door you plan to leave out of. If stuff has to sit in the fridge/freezer, leave a reminder note on the door.

- Emergency kit packed and waiting in the car

- UO - I think it's absolutely fine to ask someone to help you.

- Delegate a contact person and put them in charge of your phone (if they are willing) to deal with any questions posed (last minute cancellations, traffic, etc.). Alternatively, you can give out that person's phone number on your website as the contact person.

- Have your day mapped out and have a plan for getting the attention of the room when needed and wrangling people for special events (mother-son dance, etc.)

Doesn't your caterer set up the tables and the buffet? Doesn't the florist set up the flowers?

This is the easy part and not all that a DOC does.

You need to have a contact person who will be in charge of the vendors. You don't want the DJ, florist, caterer etc calling you at 2pm asking where they should set up. They also need to give vendors their tips.

Have someone make a detailed timeline of events and put them in charge of wrangling people and sticking to it.

Another person needs to be in charge of the gifts/cards/guestbook etc. and make sure that the items get into your car during the reception. Give them your keys.