Full-Service Wedding Planning: What's Included And What's Not

Full-service wedding planning is an end-to-end service that helps couples plan and execute their wedding. It includes creating a timeline for the wedding planning process, from the lead-up to the wedding to the special day and even post-wedding events like the honeymoon. Wedding planners handle everything from researching, vetting, and recommending wedding vendors to interacting with them, negotiating prices, confirming dates, and managing payments. They also help create and execute the couple's artistic wedding vision, ensuring that the theme, colours, and design style are cohesive across all aspects of the wedding.

Budgeting and paperwork

The planner will also handle all the paperwork and contracts involved in booking vendors and venues, saving you time and effort. They will likely have a network of trusted vendors and will present you with options within your budget, scheduling meetings and calls with them, and ensuring that all the necessary details are covered.

Full-service wedding planners often provide a wedding checklist, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. They will create a timeline for the entire planning process, from the lead-up to the wedding to any post-wedding events, such as the honeymoon. This includes managing the schedules for everything, from invitation production to vendor load-in and out times, and overseeing guest transportation and accommodations.

The cost of a full-service wedding planner can vary depending on their experience, location, and service offerings. Some planners may require a percentage of the total wedding cost, and upgrades or add-ons may incur additional fees. It is important to discuss your budget and expectations with your planner to ensure that you are on the same page and that there are no surprises.

Overall, a full-service wedding planner will handle the financial and administrative aspects of your wedding, providing guidance, expertise, and peace of mind as you navigate the complexities of planning your special day.

Vendor management

Once you have chosen your vendors, your full-service wedding planner will handle all the necessary communication and negotiations. They will interact with the vendors, confirm dates, negotiate prices, and ensure that the services agreed upon in the contract are delivered. This includes reminding vendors of their commitments and holding them accountable, so you don't have to worry about following up.

Additionally, full-service wedding planners often have established relationships with vendors across various categories, including catering, linens, decor, table settings, flowers, music, and even niche services like glassware rental companies or sari drapers for a Hindu ceremony. These connections can help you secure better rates and avoid the stress of dealing with unreliable or inexperienced vendors.

In the unfortunate event that a vendor cancels or backs out, your full-service wedding planner will be there to find a suitable replacement. They will work swiftly to resolve any such issues, ensuring that your wedding plans remain on track.

Full-service wedding planners also assist in developing detailed schedules and timelines for vendor load-in and out times, ensuring that all vendors are coordinated and arrive at the designated times to set up their services. This attention to detail helps create a seamless flow for your wedding day, ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Lastly, some full-service wedding planners may offer additional services related to vendor management. For example, they may provide decor items, table numbers, table runners, arches, candles, and more as part of their package, saving you the trouble of sourcing these items separately.

Venue booking

Research and Vetting:

Full-service wedding planners will conduct extensive research to identify potential venues that align with the couple's vision, theme, and budget. They will consider factors such as capacity, location, amenities, and availability to create a curated list of options. Planners may also pre-vet vendors, ensuring they meet the couple's expectations and have a strong reputation.

Site Inspections:

Some full-service wedding planners, like Michelle Rago, include site inspections as part of their venue booking process. This means physically visiting the potential venues to assess their suitability, taking into account factors like space, ambiance, and any unique features that could enhance the wedding experience.

Negotiating Rates and Contracts:

Wedding planners are skilled negotiators who will work on the couple's behalf to secure the best rates and contract terms. They will communicate with the venue to negotiate prices for catering, discuss inclusions, and confirm the timeline of events. Planners ensure that the couple understands the fine print and manages all the paperwork involved in booking the venue.

Managing Vendor Conversations:

Even after a venue is selected, full-service wedding planners continue to play a crucial role in managing conversations between the couple and the venue. They serve as intermediaries, ensuring the couple's needs are met, and any issues or changes are promptly addressed.

Handling Ceremony and Reception Booking:

While reception venue booking is standard in full-service packages, some couples may also require assistance with ceremony location booking. Full-service planners can help secure a separate ceremony venue if needed, ensuring it aligns with the couple's religious or personal preferences, such as a Catholic church wedding.

Customization and Add-ons:

Full-service wedding planners understand that each wedding is unique. They work closely with the couple to incorporate any specific requirements or add-ons, such as a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or brunch. Planners will communicate these expectations to the venue, ensuring that all aspects of the wedding are seamlessly integrated into the chosen location.

Design and decor

The design and decor of a wedding venue are crucial elements of the wedding experience. A full-service wedding planner will help you create a cohesive aesthetic across all aspects of your wedding, from the invitations to the table settings, flowers, and music. They will work with you to understand your vision and style preferences and translate them into a detailed plan that brings your dream wedding to life.

Full-service wedding planners can offer design services in-house or partner with an event designer to produce the decor. They will guide you through the creative specifics, such as choosing a color scheme, selecting flowers, and determining the overall aesthetic of the event. Planners with design expertise will ensure that all the design elements come together to create a cohesive look across spaces and details. They may also provide recommendations for other design-related vendors, such as florists, photographers, and videographers, ensuring that these professionals align with your vision and budget.

In addition to the visual aspects, full-service wedding planners will also coordinate other sensory elements, such as music, to create a holistic wedding experience. They will work with you to select the right entertainment and ensure that the chosen performers fit within your budget. Planners can also assist with other pre-wedding events, such as bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, ensuring that these celebrations are seamlessly integrated into the overall wedding design and theme.

Full-service wedding planners are experienced in managing the complex logistics of wedding design and decor. They will oversee the installation of any decor elements and ensure that onsite staff are managed effectively. Planners will also handle the negotiation and confirmation of contracts with design-related vendors, taking the stress out of the planning process and allowing you to focus on enjoying your special day.

It is important to communicate your design and decor wishes clearly to your wedding planner. They will work with you to understand your vision and provide expert advice on how to achieve it within your budget. By partnering closely with your planner, you can ensure that your wedding design and decor exceed your expectations and create lasting memories.

On-site management

Dedicated Presence

On your wedding day, your full-service wedding planner will be dedicated solely to you and your vision. They will be on-site, overseeing every aspect of the celebration, ensuring that your carefully crafted plans are executed to perfection. This dedicated presence means any last-minute issues or unexpected challenges are swiftly addressed, allowing you, the happy couple, to savour every moment without worrying about the details.

Team Coordination

Your wedding planner will typically arrive with a team of experts, each with their own areas of specialisation, such as food and beverage, service, décor, and transportation. This team works in harmony to bring your vision to life. Each member serves as a point person for specific aspects of the wedding, ensuring that every detail, no matter how small, aligns with your dreams.

Vendor Management

The planner will manage all the vendors on the day of the wedding, ensuring they stick to the agreed-upon services in the contract. They will coordinate the setup of wedding accessories, such as guest books, place cards, and flowers, ensuring that everything is in place and presented cohesively according to the chosen theme and design style.

Timeline Execution

The full-service wedding planner will also ensure that the day unfolds according to the carefully crafted timeline. They will manage transitions between different segments of the wedding, from the ceremony to the reception, and any other special events, such as a rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch.

Troubleshooting

A good full-service wedding planner is adept at troubleshooting and will work behind the scenes to iron out any last-minute details or potential pitfalls. They will be your advocate, ensuring that your interests are protected and that any issues with vendors, the venue, or logistics do not impact your enjoyment of the day.

Full-service wedding planning provides invaluable peace of mind, allowing you to focus on savoring every moment of your wedding day, confident that the intricate details are being expertly managed.

Frequently asked questions