Beyond Lace Events - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: Wedding Planning & Day‑of Coordination

1. What does a full-service wedding planner do?

A full-service wedding planner manages every detail of your celebration from engagement to “I do.” This includes venue research and booking, vendor sourcing and coordination, budget guidance, design and style support, timeline and floor plan creation, ongoing planning support, and on-site coordination on the wedding day. With full-service planning, we act as your partner at every step so you can enjoy the process without stress.

2. What is the difference between full-service planning and partial wedding planning?

Full Service Planning offers complete support from start to finish, including budget development, venue selection, vendor sourcing, design guidance, logistics, and ongoing support through the wedding day.

Partial Planning is ideal for couples who have already begun planning and want professional guidance to refine design details, source vendors, manage logistics, and create a cohesive plan leading up to the wedding.

Both services include wedding day coordination. The primary difference is when planning support begins and how involved we are throughout the process. Full Service Planning starts early and is the most hands-on option, including setting a realistic, achievable budget from the outset and guiding you through the venue selection process, the most significant financial decision of the entire wedding. By evaluating venues side by side and understanding true costs upfront, couples are able to make informed, cost-effective decisions from the start.

Partial Planning still offers expert advice, vendor support, and design assistance, while relieving you of many hours of planning, but assumes that foundational decisions, such as the venue and initial budget, are already in place.

3. Do I need a wedding planner or a wedding coordinator?

If you’re looking for support managing vendors, design, budget, and logistics from the early planning stages through wedding day execution, a Full Service Wedding Planner is the best fit. If you’ve already planned most of the details and want expert support to finalize logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly on the wedding day, a wedding coordinator (often called a Month-Of Coordinator) may be the right choice.

Many couples choose Partial Planning when they want something in between. At a minimum, we strongly recommend hiring a Month-Of Coordinator, so you’re not relying on yourself, family, or friends to manage timelines, vendors, and unexpected issues on the wedding day. Having a dedicated professional in place allows you to fully enjoy your celebration while significantly reducing stress and responsibility.

4. What does a Wedding Coordinator do?

Why a Wedding Coordinator Is So Valuable

A wedding coordinator ensures that all the planning you’ve already done comes together seamlessly on the wedding day. While couples often spend months selecting vendors and designing the details, someone still needs to manage the logistics, communicate with vendors, and handle issues as they arise so you, your family, and your wedding party can be fully present and enjoy the day.

A coordinator serves as the central point of contact, problem-solver, and timeline manager, making sure nothing is missed and everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

For many couples, having a coordinator is the difference between hosting their wedding and experiencing it.

What a Wedding Coordinator Does Before the Wedding

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, a coordinator steps in to understand your plans in detail and prepare for execution. This typically includes:

Reviewing all vendor contracts, timelines, and logistics
Confirming final details with each vendor (arrival times, setup needs, breakdown plans, contact info)
Creating a detailed wedding day timeline and distributing it to vendors and key participants
Coordinating ceremony logistics, including processional timing and cues
Reviewing floor plans, layouts, and load-in/load-out schedules
Conducting a venue walkthrough when needed
Preparing for contingencies such as weather changes, delays, or last-minute adjustments

This preparation ensures that everyone is aligned and that potential issues are addressed before the wedding day arrives.

What a Wedding Coordinator Does On the Wedding Day

On the wedding day, your coordinator becomes the person handling every moving part, so you don’t have to. Their role includes:

Serving as the main point of contact for all vendors and the venue
Managing the wedding day timeline and keeping events on schedule
Overseeing vendor setup and breakdown
Directing the ceremony processional and recessional
Cueing key moments such as entrances, speeches, and special dances
Troubleshooting any issues that arise quietly and efficiently
Managing personal items, décor placement, and transitions throughout the day
Supporting you, your wedding party, and your family as needs come up

Most importantly, a coordinator handles problems before you ever know they existed, allowing the day to feel effortless and stress-free.

5. How far in advance should we book a wedding planner?

Beyond Lace Events takes on a limited number of weddings each year to ensure a high level of attention and care. For that reason, we recommend booking full-service planning as soon as your date is secured. Partial planning is typically booked after your venue is locked in, and month-of coordination can often be booked closer to the wedding date, though availability remains limited, so earlier booking is always a great option.

6. Is Beyond Lace Events currently booking weddings for 2026 / 2027?

Yes! We are excited to support couples planning weddings in 2026 and 2027, including full-service, partial planning, and month-of coordination packages. Contact us to check availability for your date!

7. Do you plan weddings in Northern California?

Yes! Beyond Lace Events plans weddings throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose, East Bay, Marin County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and beyond. If your wedding will take place beyond 2 hours from San Francisco, we charge a small fee to help with travel costs.

8. Are you a destination wedding planner?

Yes! We love helping couples celebrate wherever love takes them. We can plan weddings outside the Bay Area with sufficient notice and details so your destination wedding is seamless and stress-free.

9. How much does a wedding planner cost?

Our packages come with a flat fee of $1,500 for Month-of Coordination, $2,500 for Partial Planning, and $3,300 for Full Service Planning (pricing subject to change).

10. Do you work with different wedding budgets?

Yes! We work with couples across a range of budgets and customize support to maximize value while achieving your vision. We believe that everyone deserves the same care and attention, whether their budget is $10,000 or $100,000+.

11. Can you help us stay on budget?

Yes! Budget guidance is included with both partial and full-service planning. Our goal is to help you create a beautifully executed wedding while making the most of your budget. We have no incentive for you to spend more than necessary; your best interests are always our priority. We’ll help you track expenses, prioritize spending, and make thoughtful decisions so you stay on budget while achieving your wedding vision.

12. Is hiring a Full Service Wedding Planner worth the cost?

Why a Wedding Planner Matters

Planning a wedding requires countless hours of research, decision-making, coordination, and preparation. If you’ve never planned an event of this scale before, the time commitment can quickly become overwhelming. This is where a professional wedding planner makes a meaningful difference, streamlining the process, eliminating unnecessary research, and allowing you to stay focused on your career and truly enjoy your engagement.

Peace of Mind and Expert Guidance

Many couples find that working with a planner provides peace of mind, keeps the planning process organized, and allows them to fully enjoy both their engagement and wedding day without unnecessary stress. Planners offer expert guidance, help prevent costly mistakes, and manage the many details couples often don’t want or have time to handle themselves. In fact, hiring a full-service wedding planner often helps couples save money by making informed, strategic decisions throughout the planning process.

Full Service Planning and Venue Support

Full Service Planning includes comprehensive venue research and sourcing, along with a clear, side-by-side cost comparison of your top venue options. We review rental fees, inclusions, vendor requirements, and potential hidden costs, such as catering and bar minimums, rentals, staffing, timing, and overtime, so you can clearly understand what’s included and how each venue truly compares.

Floral Planning and Design Support

We also assist with floral planning by helping you evaluate and narrow down floral quotes, identify opportunities for cost savings, and determine where adjustments can be made without compromising your vision. This includes guidance on sourcing florals through full-service florists, à la carte options, or wholesale/DIY providers, as well as advising on realistic quantities needed to achieve your desired look.

Budget Planning and Financial Clarity

As your Full Service Planner, we establish a realistic, achievable budget from the very beginning. Many couples set budgets without fully understanding the true costs involved in hosting a wedding, which can lead to unexpected overruns. By identifying these expenses upfront and aligning them with your vision, we help ensure your investment stays on track, so long as the vision remains consistent throughout the planning process.

13. Do you help with wedding design and styling, including themes, colors, and décor?

Yes! Whether you already have a vision or are starting from scratch, we guide you through developing your wedding theme, color palette, and overall aesthetic. From florals to tabletop décor, we provide design guidance, recommend quantities, and collaborate with your vendors to ensure a cohesive, beautiful look throughout your wedding day.

14. What if we don’t know our wedding style yet?

No worries! We’ll help you explore different styles, create mood boards, and narrow down options until we find a style that feels uniquely yours and reflects your personality and venue.

15. Do you help us find and book wedding vendors, and can you recommend trusted vendors?

Yes! Both full-service and partial planning packages include vendor recommendations, research, and assistance with booking. We work with a network of trusted, vetted vendors, including florists, photographers, DJs, caterers, rentals, transportation, and more. We connect you with the professionals that best match your style, vision, and budget. We only recommend vendors with a strong reputation and positive reviews to ensure a seamless wedding experience.

16. Will you attend vendor meetings and manage communication with them?

Yes! For full-service planning, we attend vendor meetings, tastings, and walkthroughs to ensure everything stays on track. Partial planning can include vendor meeting attendance based on your needs. We also coordinate all vendor communication leading up to and on your wedding day, reducing stress and miscommunication.

17. How involved are you during the planning process?

Our involvement depends on the package you choose: full-service planning covers everything from design, budget, vendor selection, and logistics; partial planning focuses on key areas where you need support; and month-of coordination ensures all details are finalized and executed smoothly on your wedding day.

18. Will you be on-site on the wedding day?

Yes! Taleen, our Lead Planner, will oversee your rehearsal (if included) and manage your wedding day, acting as the primary point of contact for all vendors and venue staff. All of our flat-fee packages also include one assistant to support the day-of coordination.

19. How many assistants are included on the wedding day?

The number of assistants we provide depends on the size and complexity of your wedding. Our flat-rate packages include a lead coordinator and one assistant to manage setup, vendor coordination, and day-of logistics. For larger weddings with 200+ guests, we recommend adding a second assistant for an additional flat rate of $300 to ensure seamless support throughout the day.

20. Can you assist with seating layouts and floor plans?

Absolutely! For our Full-Service and Partial Planning packages, we create detailed floor plans and seating charts to optimize space, enhance aesthetics, and ensure guest comfort. For our Month-of Coordination package, we review the plans you and your venue have prepared to ensure everything works smoothly from a logistical perspective.

21. Do you help with transportation or hotel blocks?

Yes, we provide guidance and recommendations for guest transportation and hotel accommodations when needed.

22. Can you help plan welcome events or rehearsal dinners?

Yes! We can help plan welcome events, rehearsal dinners, and other pre-wedding gatherings to create a seamless and memorable experience for your guests. These services are available at an additional cost, please contact us for pricing details.

23. Do you help with DIY or wholesale florals?

Yes! We can guide you in sourcing flowers and décor, including DIY or wholesale options, while advising on quantities and setup for a polished look.

24. Can we customize a planning package?

Yes! While we offer flat-fee wedding packages, we’re happy to customize a package to fit your unique needs, preferences, and wedding vision.

25. How do we communicate during the planning process?

We use email, text, phone calls, video meetings, and your preferred method of communication to stay in touch throughout the planning process.

26. Do you have a limit on the number of hours you spend with each client?

Unlike some planners who limit the number of calls during the planning process, I prefer to keep communication open so my clients always feel heard and supported. I welcome questions and check-ins throughout your planning journey, while ensuring that our time remains focused and productive.

27. How many weddings do you take on per year?

We carefully limit the number of weddings we plan each year to ensure each couple receives the attention and care they deserve.

28. Will we be working directly with you?

Yes. You will work directly with Taleen throughout the planning process, with support from our team as needed on the wedding day.

29. What happens if my lead coordinator or planner is not available due to an emergency on my wedding day?

In the unlikely event that the Planner must cancel within 30 days of the wedding due to an emergency, every effort will be made to provide a qualified replacement. If a replacement cannot be secured, clients who have booked Full-Service or Partial Planning will receive a full refund, minus the initial deposit to cover services already rendered. Clients who have booked Month-of Coordination will receive a full refund.

30. Do you require a deposit?

Yes. A 30% deposit is required to secure your wedding date. The remaining balance is due 30 days before your wedding date.

31. What Is Not Included in Full-Service Planning

Vendor Costs & Payments:

We will source vendors, share referrals, and present quotes for your review. Once you’ve selected a vendor, we will set up an introductory call for you, but all contracts and payments are handled directly between you and the vendor. For liability reasons, we do not collect or disburse vendor payments on your behalf.

Design Production & Physical Décor:

We do not purchase, transport, or store décor items. However, we will provide design guidance, creative ideas, inspiration links, mood boards, color palettes, and mock-ups of your venue and décor concepts.

We are happy to assist with light setup, DIY décor, and florals on the wedding day, as well as light teardown and storage of small personal items at the end of the night. We are unable, however, to perform large-scale floral installations, lift heavy items, or move furniture or equipment.

Stationery Production:

We can assist with invitation design, layout, and wording. We are also happy to assist with signage design and layout, but printing, shipping, assembling, stamping, and mailing will be handled by you.

Wedding Website:

We can provide guidance on content, wording, and overall structure for your wedding website, but setup, ongoing updates, and guest communication through the website are handled by you.

Rehearsal Dinner & Welcome Events:

Planning and coordination of additional events, such as the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or brunch, are not included. However, we are happy to provide venue or restaurant recommendations. If you’d like planning support for these events, we can discuss adding them for an additional fee.

Setup & Breakdown Beyond Coordination:

We are unable to lift heavy items, install lighting, draping, or structures (beyond simple setup), or complete large-scale tear-downs at the end of the night. We also cannot set up or break down chairs and tables. We can possibly assist with a light chair flip from ceremony to reception, depending on the circumstances and help from members of the wedding party.

Rentals:

We do not pick up or return rentals, including linens, tableware, or furniture. Rental delivery and return should be arranged directly with the rental company or venue.

32. How does full-service planning work over longer timelines?

How does your availability change throughout the process?

Full-service planning is hands-on, so we intentionally limit the number of weddings we take on each year to ensure each couple gets the time, attention, and care they deserve. It’s also important that we’re a good match, since we’ll be working closely together throughout the process.

For longer timelines, we approach planning in phases:

Getting Started: Securing Vendors

Full-Service Planning tends to be busiest at the start of the process and again as we approach the wedding day. Once the contract is signed and the deposit is received, we’ll work closely together in the early months to secure your vendors. Throughout the planning process, we’ll use Aisle Planner as our shared workspace, a place to exchange ideas, track progress, and stay aligned. We’ll check in regularly, typically weekly or biweekly, depending on how quickly decisions are made.

Mid-Planning: Slowing the Pace

Once the major vendors are booked, the pace slows, and check-ins shift to a more monthly schedule, with emails and updates as needed in between.

Final Months: Logistics and Timelines

As we move into the final 3–4 months, communication picks up again. We’ll work closely with you on logistics, timelines, and final details, staying in touch more frequently. The final month and wedding week are all about execution, and we’ll be fully focused on ensuring your day runs seamlessly.

33: Can you help us understand the cost differences between venues?

Yes, with the Full Service Planning package, we can definitely help with that! One of the first things we typically do with full-service clients is create a realistic, side-by-side cost comparison of your top venue choices. We’ll review each venue’s rental fees, included services, vendor requirements, and other factors that can vary. We’ll break down what’s included, what’s not, and any extra costs.

We’ll also help highlight areas where costs can be hidden, such as rental fees, guest minimums and catering, beverage and bar packages, required rentals and equipment, furniture setup and breakdown, timing and overtime, and location and accessibility. Understanding all of these factors will give you a clear picture of what each venue offers and how the pricing truly compares.

34: Where does your responsibility with vendors start and end on our wedding day?

Our goal is for you to enjoy your wedding day without worrying about any logistics. Our team will handle everything, from guiding vendors to their setup locations, overseeing the full setup, to managing cleanup and teardown. We’ll review all the details during our 30-day walkthrough, so you can relax knowing that every aspect of your day is under control.