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

Hiring Event Professionals, Plus Our Picks of the Week

Planning a special event and booking event professionals can be a challenging process. Our job, as an event planning company is to ease the burden for our clients. For first-time brides and grooms, overpaying for flowers, catering, videographers and the reception is a major concern. Our company is equipped with a network of professionals to make sure our clients receive high-quality service at an affordable price. Although we could be involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or special event, the final decision on everything is ultimately yours. 

We recommend the following these tips before hiring event professionals:

1. If you find a professional that you really like, do a background check (their name and company) via Google and Yelp to see if there is any negative press.

2. Ask for referrals from friends and family that you trust.

3. Make sure that you get everything in writing that you have been promised.

4. Before signing contracts, read the fine print and/or have a lawyer review.

5. Compare prices to make sure that you are being charged a fair price for their services.  Avoid hiring someone because their price is the lowest.  There may be a reason for the low price, such as a hidden cost on the back-end.  Several years ago, one of our clients hired a photographer because his price was the lowest. After the wedding, they learned that the cost for the images were not included in his fee and those costs were outrageous.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about our services, please call our office at 818-246-2288. XO

Being a great guest at someone's event -

The bride should be the only one that wears white, unless you are in the wedding party and you have been asked to where white. On a few occasions, I have seen a guest wear an ivory gown...only need one word to describe the reception towards that person - awkward. 

Avoid getting intoxicated at the party/wedding.  Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and please don't forget to eat.  

Stay away from sensitive topics, such as politics and religion.

Choose your attire based on the day and time of the wedding. Someone may want to rethink wearing a low-cut gown to a morning wedding. 

If asked to give a toast, do your best to keep it short (one to three minutes) and avoid roasting the VIP or couple.

Estate 9600 Palos Verdes - 
Hanna and Dean's Wedding: 

Picks of the Week: 

Have a great weekend!
xo, Gianna

Just Got Engaged? Tips for the First Time Bride and Groom.

Happy Valentine's Week. 

Since it is Valentine's weekend, I thought it would be fun to write a blog with tips on how to plan a successful wedding, plus our picks of the week.

• Research potential event professionals carefully.  Please check them out on the internet and Yelp before you hire anyone. 
• Don't pay anyone in full for their services - best to spread-out payments. 
• Set a realistic budget and prioritize what is important to you and your fiancé.
• Take good care of yourself - drink plenty of water and get enough sleep.
• Spend quality time with your fiancé.  Remember, the wedding will last one day, but the relationship can last a life-time.
• If you find yourself becoming impatient or short-tempered, step away from the planning and take a break.
• Don't forget about the details. 
• Consider hiring an event planner to handle the details that you don't have time to pursue and focus on the projects that are important to you.

Fraud Alert -Avoid Scam Artists via On-line Dating. 

Our company has been fortunate enough to have planned some beautiful weddings for clients, who have met and fell in love via on-line dating.  However, we recommend that you are aware of con-artists who prey on dating sites, especially around the holidays which includes Valentine's week.  

Here are some red flags -  

They live far away and they claim to be in the military or working overseas.

He or she wants to meet with you, but his or her travel plans keep falling through. This person might even email you a photo of their plane ticket to show that they are serious about traveling to see you.   

After a short time, they start asking for money for their flight or if you can help them out of a sticky financial situation. 

Beware of fake dating profiles and Facebook pages. 

Some scammers may even ask you to move money around for them, which in turn can make you an accomplice to their scheme. 

Our Estate Pick of the Week -  Malibu 8536

 175 person guest count without having to cover the pool. 

 Helicopter pad for a ceremony or cocktail hour. 

 Beautiful vineyards surround the private estate. 

Our Featured Wedding - Jeannie and Eddie's Wedding

Sweetheart and Cake Tables 

Our Picks of the Week- xo

Have a great weekend.
XO, Gianna