Declining a Coordinator

Finding a wedding coordinator was frustrating for three reasons. First, it was difficult to find who had a package flexible enough to exclude ceremony planning - we only need help with the reception. Second, it was difficult to find a coordinator who didn't have a long list of fluffy items pertaining to arranging the bridesmaids into a row and handing out favors to guests - we don't need these things done. Finally, it was almost impossible to get coordinators to talk to me because my wedding is considered "last minute" and is on a holiday weekend.

I did manage to find two very nice events coordinators at two different companies. Each were willing to work with fewer than 12 weeks to plan, on a holiday weekend, and with a package flexible enough to focus only on a reception. The cost was several hundreds of dollars - a plausible expense. The coordinators were willing to help us select vendors and take care of overseeing the details of the wedding. Essentially, they were willing to take all the planning Wm and I plan to accomplish and oversee it at the last minute.

Now why did we not go this direction? Essentially, the coordinator services were still more fluff and less implementation. The coordinator was willing to set out table cloths, but unwilling to get on a ladder. (I suspect the one we talked to in particular isn't insured for getting on a ladder.) She was willing to oversee the little traditional circumstances of a reception (we're planning on omitting all of them), but not really deal with any fires (figuratively or literally). Essentially, the coordinator would just be the person to call vendors in the event they didn't show up.

So. Yeah. Honestly? Initially when considering a coordinator. we only had a caterer and no other vendors, no other plans, no other vision. By the time we found coordinators to interview? We had more vision and had started identifying trusted service providers and volunteers. Coordinator? Meh. We want a sergeant at arms - someone to oversee, lend a hand, and put out fires.