I feel like I have found such a great community among my blogger friends . . . including the brides to be. This idea came to me as I was reading other wedding blogs. All of you other brides out there have great ideas, you have great taste, and you appear to be very organized. So many of you would make great wedding coordinators.
Here is my thought . . . what if brides starting bartering for “day of” coordinating services? At my sister’s wedding, my mom had an acquaintance come and coordinate the ceremony start. Then my mom did the same for her daughter. It was nice because they weren’t good enough friends to come to the wedding, but they trusted each other for this small task.
This post is not at all meant to offend any wedding coordinator. I link to several wedding coordinator blogs and they are really fabulous. I realize they provide a valuable service to a lot of couples. That being said, I don’t know how everyone else feels, but it shocks me to find out how much some wedding coordinators are charging.
If you all are anything like me, you have devoured every wedding magazine you’ve come across since you became engaged. I have read every wedding blog I could find. I have heard all of the horror stories and all of the “behind the scenes” stuff and what should be in your "emergency" bag. I feel like I am prepared to handle emergency situations, should they arise. So, I thought – some of my fellow bloggers must feel the same way.
What do you all think? Trading with another bride in your area, to be her day of coordinator and then she would do the same for you? I feel like this idea is so much better than asking a friend or a family member to be the coordinator. Because, this would be a person who is detached from the situation and all of your guests can enjoy themselves. The other added bonus is, who better understands than another bride? They know the small details mean something to you.
Obviously the two brides would have to talk about what their expectations would be, but I think it could work. It may mean giving up a Saturday during your wedding planning, but it might be worth it. What do you think?
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14 comments:
I think that's a great idea! But I stopped by to tell you that ebay bride was on Good Morning America this morning. They did a whole story on her and her auction for a bridesmaid. Which btw, was one of her bridesmaid's ideas. Still though, I think I'll pass.
I love this idea!! I would do it! I have a 'Mistress of Ceremonies' but because she's a close friend I feel bad getting her to do anything other then getting everyone down the isle when they are supposed to. What a way to save money too! I'd love to talk more about it!
In addition, many churchs (my own) have a wedding guild, which will coordinate your ceremony at the church. Our services are free (a ministry of the church), and you get an organized, informed, DETATCHED director!
I actually asked one of my best friend's fiancee. Since she is planning her own wedding, she's aware of all the details (just like you said) and since he's in the wedding, she'll be there for everything anyway! :)
She was excited to play a part. I wish I could reciprocate but I am in their wedding, so, I can't - but I would if I could!
-E
I actually have mixed feelings about this. On one hand it would be so nice and obviously less expensive. But on the other hand there are some circumstances that arise (at least at my wedding) that I was so glad we went with a professional.
I was so happy with my planner (she didn't do just do-of but the whole planning process) because she had so much experience, worked with all of my vendors, and literally NOTHING made her nervous or lose her calm.
I liked that we chose a professional because she was there to work and not socialize. I went to a wedding where the "planner" was a friend from church and she spent the entire reception sitting with the guests and not orchestrating the introductions, cake cutting, dances, get away, etc. Just something to think about...
I think this is a terrific idea. I am not going to use a wedding planner because I am a total control freak. However, I am considering asking a close co-worker of mine to help with the "day-of" stuff. She volunteered a while back and I thought maybe I would pay for her hotel room if she helped with the day of stuff...
I found a newbie DOC for $175 total, but if I didn't have her, I would love to use this idea. I wish I could find more Dallas brides, I would love to help someone with theirs this Summer!
I really like this idea. We had to use a coordinator from our church. For $300 she told everyone when to walk down the aisle. She was very stuffy and so worried about every little detail I tried to avoid her as much as possible. I wish I could have used a fellow bride instead.
I really like this idea! Sign me up! You can always use all the help you can get!!!
Hello! I just discovered your blog and think it is wonderful. What a wonderful idea to have that help on your wedding day, and you are right that it is not always something you can ask a close friend or family member to do!
I think that is a great idea. We got married last year and paid a friend who is working to be a wedding coordinator... and kinda wish we hadn't. If I could have done something like this, I totally would have.
I love going to weddings so much, I would do it just because! (no reciprocation needed!)
=)
I think it's a great idea! I had a woman from the church where we got married coordinate the ceremony and our reception site had a coordinator as well so I didn't have to worry about it. But without those options, I think trading services with another bride would work really well.
I like the idea! I would rather have already-married people, though, to "rent" because it seems like they would at least have the experience of having been through ONE wedding before. I'm not married yet, and I know I wouldn't know how to handle certain things in my OWN wedding, much less someone else's!
I think it is a great idea and in many circumstances would be incredible helpful.
I hired a DOC bc my venue does not offer this and we can not even store things there over night... and I wanted my family to be able to enjoy the day- not be worried over whether things got set up correctly or whether the cake cutting was behind schedule, etc. I do think that while my DOC has been a great resource, a recent bride that is a 'third party' absolutely could do this... and for less!
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