To OTD or not to OTD? (part 2: the hunt starts!)

how do you look for your OTD coordinator?

luckily for me, being a member of w@w allows me to check on supplier's ratings. so after searching for recent ones who got OTD's with a satisfactory rating, i reached them either by phone, text or email.

after that, i shortlist them by choosing the ones who fall on my budget and the ones who are established. OTDs who come in a less expensive note are most probably the ones new in the industry and would like to gather more clients for experience. the pricier ones are, of course, the ones who are experienced in the field of coordination. now, it's up to you if your budget permits it, but my advice would be, go for those experienced since at least hindi masasayang ang ibinayad mo. pero kanya-kanyang opinion pa rin yan, some would take risks, it might pay off...or not.

after the shortlisting, i was able to get sample questions from others who have undergone the same experience. here are some important things to ask:

1. how long have you been coordinating weddings?
2. how many weddings have you handled?
3. explain the inclusions/coverage of your otd package. what happens on the wedding day, from preps to reception? how many meetings before the wedding? (for a more detailed explanation of their package)
4.when are these meetings scheduled and what do we discuss on these meetings?
5. how many are you in the team? attire? vehicle/equipment? any runner/male team member(s)?
6. ano yung pinakamalaking wedding na nahandle nyo?
7. ano yung pinakamahirap na nagawa nyo?
8. how many weddings do you handle in a day/week/month? (ayokong may wedding yun coordinator ko before my day. pano kung napuyat/super nangarag/pagod pa sya/sila dahil dun?)
9. is this your full-time job or you have a regular/day job?
10. have you handled weddings at our church? at our chosen reception venue?

after all the q & a's, you may also do some negotiation. it'll all depend on your number of guests, most probably 300++ guests are a lot to handle and may require additional manpower, hence the high price.

and most of all, check your rapport: do you guys click? are they more on voicing out their chosen suppliers than your own personal choices? how do you feel being with them? do you feel safe and content? are they dependable? check your gut feel, it might warn you if they are just pretending to be one or not.

i would suggest that you spend a moment with your fiance to discuss this and if you both feel the same way, then book them! baka may makakuha pang iba! =)

well, that pretty much sums up everything. good luck on your OTD hunting! =)