Wedding and Event Planning Tips l Los Angeles Event Planner Gianna and Company

Gianna and Company has been busy working on our brand, new website and blog and getting ready for a busy year.  If you are planning a special event or wedding or looking for a private estate or special venue, please let us know how we can help. xo

Here is a quick guide to keep your event from falling flat or going up in flames -

1. Don't skimp on the audio, so your guests can hear your vows, toasts, and the entertainment.

2. If you're having a slide show, make sure your content fits the equipment and is formatted correctly.

3. If you have a lot going on at your event, such as lighting, slide show, a band, schedule a technical walk-through.

4. Hire a professional and licensed alcohol caterer to serve the drinks; never agree to a self- service bar.  As the host, you are liable if your guests become intoxicated, and someone gets hurt - or worse.  When we produce an event, we use licensed and insured bartenders, experienced valet companies and off-duty police officers to help ensure maximum safety.

5. Make sure that you are kind to your event professionals. These people are hired to help make your dreams and visions come to fruition. We recommend that you confirm where they will park (make sure it is as close to the venue as possible), provide shade for the musicians, and a substantial hot meal if they are working more than four hours.

6. When planning your event, connect the dots from the moment your guests receive their
save-the-date to the final weeks before the event. Your event should be about the fun details, not about the money that you spend.

7.  When planning an event, we always think about the comfort of the guests - will they be baking in the sun, or could they be too cold?  When your guests are comfortable, the event goes more smoothly and everyone has a better time.

8. Be careful of event professionals who "promise you the moon."  Periodically, we talk with clients who have a $50,000 budget for a wedding in Los Angeles with 200 guests, and they want a high-end event.  I never say no to my clients as I value the importance of their needs, however my job is to be honest and help guide my clients toward reputable event professionals so they have options.

9. Watch the weather 10 days before your event and make sure you have a carefully considered contingency plan in place.

10. If you want to enjoy your event day and the time leading up to it, hire an experienced event planner to help you stay stress-free. Leave the planning to us and enjoy the process.

Estate Pick of the Week - We Have Access to Hundreds of Private Estates & Mansions

A Fun Idea for Your Next Event - 

Try a snow cone table for a late night snack.  Ask your venue or caterer to supply ice with a variety of exotic flavors, such as mango-mint, strawberry-basil and lavender-lemonade syrups.

Picks of the Week -

 Private Estate Wedding - Cake design by Super Fine Bakery

Jimmy Choo

 Love the crystal votives.  

 Hanna's bouquet.  

Love chandeliers and beautiful lighting.  

Have a great week!  XO, Gianna 

How Much Do Wedding Planners Cost in Los Angeles l Gorgeous Private Estates in Southern California

Let's face it, planning a wedding is not for the faint of heart.

Whether your guest count is 30 or 300, as the host, you want to make sure that you align yourself with the right wedding and/or event coordinator to help you plan your dream event.

Level One - $2500 - $3500
One personalized meeting to discuss planning, budget and design
Telephone, email and text support
Vendor recommendations - up to three in each category to match your budget and style
Review all vendor agreements for pricing, logistics and information before clients sign
Create an event itinerary/timeline with updates, including the final distribution to all vendors
Create a production spreadsheet, so no detail is over-looked
Confirm all the vendors one week before the event
Assist with floor plan design
One to two walk-through meetings with vendors to discuss design and logistics
Wedding rehearsal coordination and collect important items the day or week of the wedding
Event day - placement of escort cards, ceremony items, line-up the bridal party, vendor coordination, manage timeline and make sure clients have a great experience
Wedding day support with one assistant -10 to 12 hours
Note:  Additional assistants are required with estate weddings, larger venues and multiple venues
Setup and Strike day: Applies to private estates - hourly fee is applicable

Level Two - $3500 - $5,000
Two personalized meetings to discuss planning, budget and design
Telephone, email and text support
Vendor recommendations - up to three in each category to match your budget and style
Arrange all vendor appointments
Review all vendor agreements for pricing, logistics and information
Create an event itinerary/timeline with updates, including the final distribution to all vendors
Create a production spreadsheet, so no detail is over-looked
Confirm all the vendors one week before the event
Up to three design meetings with the florist and rental houses
Coordinate transportation itinerary and prepare transportation grids
Menu tasting with caterer or venue
Assist with floor plan design
Create a customized planning calendar based on Client's needs
appointment setting with vendors and venue based around our client's schedule
Assist the photographer with gathering family and bridal party for photos
Two onsite walk-through meetings with vendors to discuss design and logistics
Wedding rehearsal coordination and collect important items the day or week of the wedding
Event day - placement of escort cards, ceremony items, line-up the bridal party, vendor coordination, manage timeline and make sure clients have a great experience
Wedding day support with up to two assistants - 10 to 12 hour day
Note: Additional assistants are required with estate weddings, larger venues and multiple venues
Setup and Strike day: Applies to private estates - hourly fee is applicable

Level Three - $5000 - $7000
Personalized meetings to discuss planning, budget and design - as many as needed to handle all aspects of the planning.
Telephone consultation and support.
Vendor recommendations to match your budget and style
Arrange all vendor appointments for client
Review all vendor agreements for pricing, logistics and information
Create an event itinerary/timeline with updates, including the final distribution to all vendors
Create a production spreadsheet so no detail is forgotten
Confirm all the vendors one week before the event
Design meetings with the florist, linens and rental houses
Conference calls with vendors to review logistics
Coordinate transportation itinerary and prepare transportation grids
Menu tasting with caterer or venue
Assist with floor plan design
Handle RSVPs in our office
Create a planning calendar based on Client's needs
Coordinate and confirm the rehearsal dinner and brunch based on client's needs
appointment setting with vendors and venue based around our client's schedule
Assist the photographer with gathering family and bridal party for photos
Walk-through meetings with vendors to discuss design and logistics
Attend up to three shopping visits for wedding attire, make-up / hair trial session and decor
Wedding rehearsal coordination and collect important items the day or week of the wedding
Event day - placement of escort cards, ceremony items, line-up the bridal party, vendor coordination, manage timeline and make sure clients have a great experience
Wedding day support with three assistants - 12 to 15 hour day
Note: Additional assistants are required with estate wedding, larger venues and multiple venues
Decorate the honeymoon suite on the wedding night with fresh petals and ensure the suite is ready for the couple's arrival - suite must be within the same city as reception
Setup and Strike day: Applies to private estates - hourly fee is applicable

Full-service event planning service rates cost 10% - 15% of the estimated wedding. 

Taking a peak inside an event planner's emergency kit:
Batteries - AA and AAA
Hair comb/ spray/bobby pins
Q-tips
Heel protectors
Sewing kit
Baby powder
Make-up remover
Tide pen
Lint roller
Fake diamond ring (you never know)
Breath mints
Floss, a new tooth brush and toothpaste
Nail kit - file, clear and cream polish plus polish remover
Cotton balls
Scissors
Drinking straws
Binder clips - in case the dress won't cinch-up
Coat check numbers
Aisle ribbon in white and cream
Hand sanitizer
Measuring tape
Floral pins
Lip balm
Dr. Scholl's flats in various sizes for our brides
Ear plugs - not sure why we have these, but they are in the kit. XO

Featured - 
French Provincial at a Private Estate in the Hollywood Hills.

Scotch Bar

Fashion Picks - 

Have a wonderful day!  xo, Gianna

Event Planner Los Angeles l Wedding Planning Tips for Brides and Grooms l Sneak Peak from a Wedding at the Bel Air Bay Club

Sometimes, brides and grooms want to try things that are unique and sometimes they don't always turn out right. 

One of my many jobs, as an event planner is to guide our clients and do everything I can to help make their wedding day special and run smoothly.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate through the planning process -

Choose your event professionals carefully.  Make sure that they are reputable and come highly-recommended. There is nothing worse than having your florist, rental company or caterer show up late.  When this happens, it creates a ripple effect and the other vendors have to scramble to get things done - this is when mistakes happen.  

Try and keep the number of toasts to a minimum.  Normally, the parents, maid of honor, best man and the couple should toast on the wedding day.  Most toasts should last from one to three minutes per person, with no more than two or three persons going up at the same time.  

Consider having the "first look" before the ceremony.  Couples who wait to see each other when the ceremony starts usually don't enjoy their cocktail hour.  Experienced photographers are great at planning the "first look" so that it's special and poignant.  Photographers usually choose a remote spot on the grounds with just the bride and groom. keeping it romantic and private.

Carefully proof your timeline and make sure that you communicate your wishes to your event planner.  

Once all the planning has been done - don't obsess over the details on your wedding day - enjoy the day. 

Hugs, Gianna 

Here is a sneak peak from a recent wedding at the Bel Air Bay Club.

Kim and Tim's Wedding Highlights from the  Castle Green in Pasadena, CA
We were very honored to work with this sweet couple.  Wishing them all the very best.

Our Picks of the Week -

Sparklers make great exit if your venue allows it. 

What a fun idea for a photo shoot. 

Babies breath wreathes are really pretty. 

Love the dress and her hair style. 

Have a wonderful weekend.  
XO, Gianna