FAQ

You can plan a wedding without one, but it's worth knowing what you're signing up for. Planning often takes about 528 hours, or roughly 22 full days. Couples also commonly work with around 13 vendors, each with a separate contract, deposit schedule, and timeline to keep in sync.

A planner carries that load. We know which questions to ask before you sign, what a fair quote looks like, and what tends to go wrong on the day, because we've seen it. Most couples tell us the biggest difference isn't the details. It's getting to enjoy being engaged, and being fully present on the day instead of answering vendor texts.

A venue coordinator is wonderful to have, but they work for the venue. Their job is the space itself: the floor plan, the venue's own catering and bar, its rules, and load-in. They usually don't build your budget, manage outside vendors like your photographer, florist, or DJ, handle RSVPs and seating, or coordinate events held elsewhere, like a tea ceremony at home or a rehearsal dinner across town.

A planner works for you across all of it. In practice the two work best together, and we partner closely with venue teams on every wedding.

It depends on your wedding. A small, simple celebration with lots of help from friends and family at one location may not need much outside help. The more guests, vendors, and moving parts you have, the more a planner earns their place: a ceremony and reception in different places, food catered from outside the venue, a gorgeous backdrop and different centerpieces to set up, or a weekend of events.

If you'd like support without a big commitment, day-of coordination is the next best budget-friendly option. It starts at $800, you keep the planning in your own hands, and someone steady runs the day so you and your family can simply be in it.

Not sure what you need? Tell us about your plans and we'll give you an honest answer, even if that answer is that you don't need us.

Full planning is for couples who want a partner from day one: venue, vendors, budget, design, and the day itself. Partial planning suits couples who already have the foundation and want help filling the gaps and refining the design. Month-of coordination is for couples who have planned everything and want someone to take over the final 30 to 90 days. Day-of coordination is for couples who have it all arranged and need someone steady running the day.

If you're not sure, tell us where you are and we'll recommend what fits, even if it's the smallest option.

Settle three things first: a rough guest count, a realistic budget, and a season or date range. Your venue depends on all three, and nearly everything else depends on your venue.

A common booking order: venue 12–18 months out; your planner, photographer and videographer, and caterer around 9–12 months; florist around 8–12 months; stationery and attire around 8–10 months; hair and makeup around 6–12 months. Popular Bay Area dates and venues book earlier, so if your heart is set on a specific place or a fall Saturday, start sooner.

Start from a total you're comfortable with, then divide it, rather than adding up wish-list items. A typical U.S. wedding costs about $34,000 for 117 guests, while a 150-guest San Francisco wedding can run around $84,649. Bay Area pricing runs well above the national average.

A typical split puts 40–50% toward venue and catering, 10–12% toward photography, and 8–10% toward flowers and decor. Before dividing anything, set aside 5–10% as a cushion and plan for service charges, taxes, and tips. Your guest count is the biggest lever you have: average spending is about $292 per guest, so every name on the list matters.

Beyond date and price, ask: how many hours are included and what overtime costs; the deposit and cancellation policy; tax, service charges, and any food, beverage, or bar minimums; whether you must use their preferred vendors; when vendors can start setting up; noise rules and the hard end time; the backup plan for outdoor spaces; whether you need your own liability insurance; rules on candles, decor, and sparklers; and parking and accessibility for older guests.

Then make sure every answer is written into the contract. If you'd like a second set of eyes on a venue contract, send it our way.

Plan for the Bay Area's microclimates, not just rain. Coastal and San Francisco venues can turn foggy, windy, and cold by late afternoon, even in summer, while inland and wine country venues can be hot in the middle of the day. Late summer and fall can also bring wildfire smoke.

For every outdoor wedding, we choose the Plan B before booking: an indoor space at the venue or a tent held on reserve. We also agree on a decision deadline a few days out, and add comfort touches like blankets, heaters, shade, or water where they're needed. Deciding calmly ahead of time beats deciding in a panic on the morning.

You'll need a California marriage license before your ceremony. In San Francisco County, both of you attend an appointment in person with valid government photo ID. The license is valid for 90 days and can be used anywhere in California. A public license requires at least one witness at the ceremony; a confidential license is available to couples who already live together and needs no witnesses. Other counties work similarly, but check your county clerk's site for appointments.

We add the license to your timeline so it's done comfortably inside that 90-day window and the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

Yes, and it's a beautiful option. The City's one-hour wedding package allows up to 100 guests, starts at $1,200, runs on weekdays only, and can be booked up to 24 months ahead and no later than 4 weeks before your date. Chairs and an officiant are arranged separately.

Many couples pair a City Hall ceremony with a tea ceremony, a banquet, or a dinner party the same day or later. We coordinate the whole day, including timing, transportation, photos, and getting everyone from one place to the next.

Possibly, but fewer than you'd expect. Under Napa County's Winery Definition Ordinance, most wineries can't host weddings; only a small number of grandfathered properties can. Many more can host a rehearsal dinner or welcome party. Private estates, resorts, and restaurants in wine country open up more options. Ask every venue about its end time and noise rules too. Many outdoor sites wind down around 10 p.m.

Yes. Personal celebrations such as engagements, showers, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and rehearsal dinners start at $600. Corporate events such as team offsites and holiday parties start at $700.

We also offer special packages, including a monthly Startup & Small Business membership for teams that run events regularly. See Other Events for current offers and details.

If you're the host, you probably want to be in the room, not running it. Without a planner, the day-of work usually falls to the host or a few teammates pulled away from their real jobs: checking in vendors, chasing the caterer, fixing the mic, and keeping the program on time. We take that over so you can greet guests, give the toast, or talk to the investors who came to see your demo.

As a rule of thumb: 1–3 months for a smaller private gathering, 2–4 months for a team offsite or all-hands, and 4–6 months or more for a large event of 100+ guests, a product launch, or a summit. Lock in the venue first. Holiday-party season and the weeks around major Bay Area tech conferences fill up early, so give yourself extra time if your date lands near either.

Almost always a certificate of insurance (COI). Many venues ask for general liability coverage, commonly $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, with the venue named as an additional insured. If alcohol is served, they may also require liquor liability coverage. Every outside vendor usually needs its own COI too, and deadlines are often 10 to 14 days before the event.

Ask for the venue's exact insurance requirements when you book, not the week of. We collect and check every vendor's paperwork so nothing holds up load-in.

Most problems come down to AV, timing, and headcount. Do a full tech run-through at the venue with the real laptops and slides, give every live demo a wired connection or a backup video, and leave buffer time between segments.

Expect fewer people than registered. No-show rates are often around 28% for free events and 17% for paid ones, so plan food and seating for who will actually come, and send a reminder the day before.

For full planning, as early as you can. Ideally that's before you sign a venue, so we can help you choose it. Partial planning begins 4 to 6 months out, and month-of coordination begins about 30 to 90 days before the wedding. We take on a limited number of weddings each year, so if your date is closer, still reach out. We'll tell you honestly what's possible.

Full planning starts at $6,000, partial planning at $3,750, month-of coordination at $1,600, and day-of coordination at $800. Wedding-planning services average around $4,047.

Your final quote depends on your guest count, venue, number of events, and how much you'd like us to take on. After our consultation, we send a proposal with the exact scope and price, so nothing surprises you later.

We reply personally to set up a no-pressure consultation call. We'll hear your story, your date, and what support you're looking for, and you'll leave with useful next steps whether or not we end up working together. Then we follow up with a proposal tailored to you. Once you're ready, a signed agreement secures your date and we start planning.

We recommend vendors from our network based on your style, values, and budget, but you're always free to book whoever you love. If you've already booked vendors, we'll work alongside them. Full planning covers vendor management across up to 5 key categories and partial planning up to 3, with more available as an add-on.

Not at all. We love learning a new space. Every package includes a walkthrough of your venue, and we work directly with the venue team on layout, timing, load-in, and the small rules every venue has.

Full planning includes up to 12 hours on-site. Partial planning, month-of, and day-of coordination include up to 10 hours, covering setup through the final breakdown. If your day runs longer or spans several events, we'll build that into your proposal.

Something small always does, and handling it is our job. We build backup plans into the timeline, carry an emergency kit, and handle vendor delays, timing shifts, and last-minute changes quietly, so you and your guests never have to notice.

Yes, and we love to. Our founder grew up in China and understands how much family and tradition shape the day. We help plan tea ceremonies, betrothal ceremonies, and other cultural moments, and we work with both families so every generation feels at home. We work in English and Mandarin.

We're based in the San Francisco Bay Area and plan weddings across the region, from San Francisco and the Peninsula to the East Bay, South Bay, and wine country. We're also happy to travel for weddings and events further away. Tell us where you're celebrating and we'll include any travel in your proposal.