Photos by Gloria Mesa Photography
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.
We’re more than happy to answer your questions, but we’ve got the answers to just about everything you might want to know listed below by topic. There’s all kinds of good information here!
Why should I hire a wedding coordinator?
Planning a wedding can be very stressful. It takes a lot of time and energy in order to make your wedding day dreams come true. Everything involved in planning a wedding must be brought together to ensure that the bride and groom are able to enjoy themselves without worry. A wedding coordinator will be there to help reduce the stress by managing and organizing all of the details. Our expertise can help to create a pleasant planning experience. A wedding coordinator can save you valuable time by providing you with a portfolio of preferred vendors or doing the required legwork including vendor research and selections, venue site inspections, budget management, contract reviews, timeline planning from start to finish, and so much more.
What does a wedding coordinator do?
Depending on your needs, a coordinator can be helpful in many different ways. If you are working full time, it can be convenient to have a professional help you with the planning, phone calls and research, if not more.
We can assist you with your budget and be a “coach” to you if you just need some guidance through the process of planning, including providing referrals to reputable vendors.
We can help you plan your entire event if you wish—from site selection to decor and entertainment. We can help with vendor negotiations, attend meetings for/with you, and answer etiquette questions.
We can finalize details the month prior to, and then be there for the rehearsal and the day of your event to ensure everything goes as planned.
Won’t a wedding coordinator want to take control and run the whole show?
Some might. But, realistically, your wedding is all about YOU! we are professionals and work with our brides in handling as much or as little of the wedding planning as you want. It is your wedding and we would never want to deprive you of the fun of planning and making key decisions. You make all of the ultimate decisions; we make sure that everything is executed according to plan. It’s still your wedding, but it’s our job!
How do you make a wedding individualized for us?
We don’t plan the same event for every client. We sit down with each bride and groom to learn your likes and dislikes, interests, personal style, and vision for “your” wedding. Based on this information, we will give you creative ideas for planning an event you will love.
How do you stay current with the latest trends?
All Occasions Event Planning coordinators stay active within the California area to keep tabs on the newest shops and potential locations – regularly meeting with various vendors and suppliers to stay current with the latest trends.
We are also a member of NACE and our coordinators attend regular educational events through NACE our local Ventura chapter to continually expand our knowledge of the wedding planning industry.
Why do we need a “day-of” coordinator?
We recommend that you have at least one professional coordinator with you the day of your event. A “day-of” coordinator can handle the last-minute issues that you shouldn’t have to worry about, such as, setting up your personal items (favors, place cards, etc…) toasts, introductions, and coordinating various vendors to ensure that the timeline for your event is followed and the results are as you planned. Instead of putting yourself and your guests to “work” at your event, you can all enjoy the celebration worry-free.
My mom or a friend is going to help coordinate on the day of, why do I need a professional?
Really? If you think enough of someone to invite them to your wedding, why would you want to put them to work instead of being one of the important invited guests enjoying the day? Even though your friends and family want to help you on your special day, in reality, they don’t really feel comfortable taking charge and making decisions that are going to effect the most important day of your life. Because All Occasions Event Planning has worked very closely with you throughout the planning, you will have peace of mind knowing that everything will be handled as efficiently as possible by your coordinator. Whether it is a problem with the flowers, a cake that’s melting, or a stain on your dress, a coordinator can handle it behind the scenes so that you can enjoy your day stress free, and so can your family!
How do you charge for your services?
Since each client’s needs, ideas, and budgets are different, we charge a flat fee per event based upon the typical services required of us. Under the flat fee rate we will complete all the work that we have agreed to do regardless of how long it takes us to complete.
Why don’t you charge as a percentage of the wedding?
A planner who charges you a percentage of your total wedding budget has no incentive to find you the best deals on vendors within your budget such as florists, invitations, chair covers, etc… the higher your bills are, the higher your profit for them. Since we only charge a flat fee, we work in your best interest to negotiate the best prices for the highest quality of products and services.
Can I afford a wedding coordinator?
You can’t afford NOT to have a coordinator! A coordinator needs to be a part of the budget, not an extra expense. Based upon our recommendations and expertise, clients experience an overall savings that pays for our service while having the wedding of their dreams within their budget. One of the misconceptions is that a wedding coordinator does not fit into the budget, hiring a wedding coordinator can save you money, save you time, and allow you to relax and enjoy your special day knowing that everything’s being taken care of by a professional who has your best interest at heart.
What if we only want help with part of the planning?
We are here to help you with whatever you need—a little or a lot. We can do anything from helping you plan your entire wedding, come along side you some of the time, or just coordinate the month before and day of.
How much can I expect to pay for a coordinator?
Because each package is customized to meet your specific needs, fees are based upon location, amount of guests and event details. Special packages can be created to fit the visions of the bride, or single services can be purchased a la carte. Please contact us for more information.