FAQ

You can plan a wedding without a planner, but it helps to be honest about the number of decisions, vendor conversations, payment dates, and timeline details you want to manage yourselves. The right level of support depends on the size and complexity of the celebration, how much has already been planned, and how you want to spend the months leading up to it.

A planner can organize that work, surface questions that are easy to miss, and help carry the agreed responsibilities into the celebration. The goal is not to remove your voice from the process; it is to give your priorities a clear plan.

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 the beginning across the responsibilities listed in that package. Partial planning suits couples who already have a foundation and want help with the agreed gaps. Month-of coordination begins approximately 30 to 90 days before the wedding and includes three meetings, a timeline, walkthrough, rehearsal, and on-site coordination. Day-of coordination is for couples with a completed plan and includes a planning call, a separate handover call, a venue walkthrough, and up to 10 hours on the day.

If you're not sure, tell us where you are and we'll help you compare the published scope of each option.

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. Compare the packages to see what each one includes.

Your final quote depends on your guest count, venue, number of events, and the responsibilities included. After the initial conversation, we send a proposal with the specific scope and price for review.

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 and month-of coordination include up to 10 hours from setup through final breakdown. Day-of coordination includes up to 10 hours directing vendor arrival and setup and supervising the listed details; breakdown is not listed in its current base scope. If your celebration needs different coverage, it must be written into the proposal.

Unexpected changes can happen. Within the responsibilities in your proposal, we prepare for likely contingencies, carry an emergency kit where included, and help coordinate vendor delays, timing shifts, and last-minute adjustments. We communicate what needs a decision instead of promising that every problem can remain invisible.

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.

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 with a total you can spend comfortably, then name the parts of the celebration that matter most to you. Build the budget around those priorities instead of adding every wish-list item first.

Ask vendors for complete estimates that show taxes, service charges, delivery, labor, rentals, and gratuities where applicable. Keep a contingency for changes and remember that guest count affects many costs at once, including food, rentals, stationery, transportation, and the size of the space you need.

Beyond date and price, ask how many hours are included and what overtime costs; the deposit and cancellation policy; taxes, service charges, and food or beverage minimums; whether preferred vendors are required; when setup can begin; noise rules and the hard end time; the backup plan for outdoor spaces; insurance requirements; decor restrictions; and parking and accessibility.

Make sure the venue's answers and responsibilities are reflected in the written agreement. If you are unsure about legal terms, consult a qualified attorney rather than relying on a planner for legal advice.

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

Before booking, ask the venue what weather alternatives are actually available and what deadlines or costs apply. Depending on your package and proposal, we can help organize the agreed backup plan and guest-comfort details such as shade, water, heaters, or blankets.

Marriage-license requirements, appointment rules, fees, and validity periods can change and may vary by county. Check the official county clerk website where you plan to obtain the license, and follow its current instructions for identification, appointments, witnesses, and returning the signed document.

If license reminders are part of your agreed planning scope, we can place the relevant deadlines in the timeline; legal responsibility for the license remains with the couple and officiant.

Yes. San Francisco City Hall offers several ceremony and event options, each with its own guest limits, booking windows, fees, and requirements. Review the current information on the official City Hall events and County Clerk websites before choosing an option.

A City Hall ceremony can be paired with a tea ceremony, banquet, or dinner on the same day or later. The coordination included depends on your selected service and proposal, especially when transportation or multiple locations are involved.

Possibly, but permission varies by property and event type. Some wineries can host weddings while others may be limited to different kinds of gatherings. Private estates, resorts, and restaurants in wine country can offer additional options. Confirm the property's current event authorization, guest capacity, end time, noise rules, and vendor requirements directly with the venue before signing.

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.

Many venues require certificates of insurance from the host and/or vendors, and alcohol service can bring additional requirements. The coverage amounts, additional-insured language, and submission deadlines are set by the venue and its insurer.

Ask for the venue's current requirements before signing. We can help track agreed administrative deadlines when that work is included in your proposal, but insurance advice and coverage decisions should come from a qualified insurance professional.

Many event-day problems come down to AV, timing, and headcount. Do a full technical run-through at the venue with the actual laptops and slides, give important live demos a wired connection or a backup recording, and leave buffer time between program segments.

Track registrations and confirmations, agree on the catering guarantee date, and send clear reminders with arrival and access details. Use your own attendance history and the venue's guidance instead of assuming a universal no-show rate.