Few wedding choices are more controversial than whether or not wedding planners are worth the money, particularly if the couple is on a tight budget.
Mr. Peaches and I, due to a wide variety of factors, have decided it is important to us to have someone to hold our hands through the planning process in case we need anything, and show up on our wedding day to handle any mishaps so we do not have to stress out. This service is typically called Day-of Coordination.
Mr. Peaches and I fell in love with the very first DOC (Day-of Coordinator) we met, but she cost $1800 for the minimum Coordination package and we just couldn't do it. We wanted to spend around $800, or at most $1000 for someone to show up and handle what is surely to be a messy day. She offered to temper her cost in exchange for some Spanish lessons, but still- too much money. That was six weeks ago.
This afternoon I sent our very favorite DOC an email, which I am reproducing for you, Dear Reader, so that you will elope.
DOC,
I realize that what I am about to do may be impolitic in the World of Wedding Planning, but since meeting you, Mr. Peaches and I have dealt with the most ridiculous wedding planning saga and I just cannot handle another minute of it. In other words, I don't particularly care if it's impolitic.
So, you know that The Peaches totally adored you, but you were just too far outside of our budget. That's when we met with Super Cheap Planner-in-Training, who was only $450. I knew this was a mistake since we didn't get along with her well, but- hello, budget-friendly! Unfortunately, as I am sure anyone could have predicted she was completely irresponsible, took days and multiple prompts to even send a contract, and seemed quite offended when I asked her about her price point. We never signed with her.
Cue Wedding Consultant Number Three. Still no Favorite DOC, she was prompt, responsible, and we got along well. Her price was $1050 and we decided the extra $600 for someone we can get along with and trust was more than worthwhile. Unfortunately, she doesn't take weddings the weekend of ours, and her business partner would be doing our wedding. Except we never heard from the business partner. When we inquired Planner Number Three about this, she promptly asked the partner why she had not contacted us. The partner then quit. QUIT. Doesn't want to work in the Wedding Industry any longer. (This, of course is terrible for us, but I can't imagine how horrifying it is for Planner Number Three.)
Three referred us to Wedding Planner Number Four who only works with "Judeo-Christian" couples who mention God in their ceremony. I cannot put in writing how I feel about this for fear it will someday come back to haunt me.
Three then referred us to Wedding Planner Number Five, who we met this morning. We enjoy her, but she is $1400 and understandably cannot come down in price.
Can you see where I am going with this?
For $1400 she is going to do sporadic phone calls/emails about vendors, an upfront two-hour brainstorming session about colors and designs, and all Day-of services, with an intern or two.
All of this is to ask you, Favorite DOC, are you available on our date?
With Spanish lessons, house cleaning, babysitting, and occasional batches of cookies, can you come anywhere close to (or below??) this number for the same services?
We were fools.
We Miss You.
The Peaches
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