Hiring a wedding planner is one of the first steps a couple should make when planning their wedding! They are not just there for you to help with vendors, but with so much more! Plus, hiring a planner can actually save you money. I interviewed two of my favorite wedding planners in California – Tan Weddings and Events and Alluring Events and Design!

Tan Weddings and Events

Tan Weddings and Events offer wedding and event planning services throughout Northern California. Their weddings have been featured on publications like Style Me Pretty, Glamour, and Grace, and more!

When did you start your wedding planning Business? Tell us a little about how you started and about your business.

“We started our wedding business 20 years ago part-time, first as musicians, and then added on officiating. Over the years, we observed many weddings that did not go smoothly. We began planning elopements and small wedding packages over 10 years ago. The planning grew into full-service, and our team grew to accommodate larger weddings. Six years ago, we decided to make Tan Weddings & Events our full-time career and currently have 17 staff, including designers, officiants, operations manager, inclusion specialist, lead planners, and event associates.”

What is the first thing you do when a couple hires you to plan their wedding?

“We send our couples our onboarding message, which details everything that they need to do about our process, communication, and online platforms. Then, we set up a workspace for them where they may view their timeline, vendor list, create their budget, upload design photos, begin their guest list, and more. We include a comprehensive checklist for them to keep them on task with planning each month. We also immediately introduce couples to vendors to create the perfect wedding day dream team!”

Do you help with the design of the wedding? What sort of things do you do to help create wedding vision dreams come true?

“Most of our couples hire us for design services, and depending on the venue, most of our packages automatically include design. One of our lead designers works closely with the couple on selecting a palette, linens, rentals, décor, paperie, and signage, and then communicates with the florist, cakery and venue to ensure that the design is seamless. We have a thorough design questionnaire that allows us to figure out the ideal design-related vendors for the couple to hire.

Some couple send us inspiration photos and we assist with placing rental orders to achieve their look. Others will give us an overall vision, such as “fairytale wedding”, or “rustic and elegant”, and we will work on a mock-up of linens and rentals with the couple in person or through photos/videos (if they live afar). We offer suggestions and ideas when couples are unsure about their design direction. We really enjoy this part of the planning process, especially because our team members have backgrounds in fine art, graphic art, and fiber arts.”

Do you organize all the wedding vendors? How does this work?

“We love assisting couples with finding the perfect vendors! We listen to their top priorities, look at their budget, consider the venue’s specific needs, and make a list of recommendations. Once hired, we review contracts and communicate with the vendors. Our communication platform includes a vendor workspace where we all can communicate. We send vendors all of the logistics, layout, and pertinent information to ensure that they will be successful, and update details the week of the wedding. Our own team keeps track of each vendor, their needs, if vendor meals are requested, and all of this is tracked in an internal software program for TWE. We also provide a vendor list and Instagram list so that vendors may easily post photos on social media while giving everyone credit. It takes an amazing team to make a wedding flawless!”

What sort of things do you do to ensure you stay within their budget?

“We start with an overall budget and place it into their budget tool in our online client workspace. This helps show the general breakdown of how much should be spent in each area. If a couple decides that one area is a higher priority than another, we can adjust their budget to accommodate. We come up with design ideas to help couples maximize their budget.”

On the day of how do you manage to make sure everything runs so smoothly?

“Our team has a crew to meet rental vendors, and assist with set-up. We usually have at least 3 people on site during the beginning of the ceremony to ensure that vendors are ready, wedding party is lined up, and the ceremony starts on time! We have specific jobs on a wedding day and assign them to our team, so that every element, space, vendor, and need is covered. A printed layout, guest list, vendor list, and inventory list is reviewed at the beginning and the end of each event.

The lead planner and at least one event associate stays throughout the duration of the event to ensure that the timeline is kept, little issues are handled, decisions made, and that the couple is ready for each step. We stay until the event ends and the vendors take-down. No matter the size and scope of the wedding day, having the best vendor team makes all the difference with smooth management on the day of the event.”

Alluring Events and Design

The team at Alluring Events and Designs is a premier planner in Sacramento, California. Their wok has been featured on Wedding Chicks, Inspired By This, Tahoe Unveiled, and many more!

When did you start your wedding planning Business? Tell us a little about how you started and about your business

“7 years ago. I left a full-time position as a venue event coordinator and left to start Alluring. I had a team of talented girls to help me in the venture. Many of which are still with me today.”

What is the first thing you do when a couple hires you to plan their wedding?

“Set up a meeting to get to know them and their wedding. Each client and their wedding is unique. it is very important to us to understand their vision and make their dreams come to life. As this point we also start to understand their event logistics, so we can set up a strategic plan for their wedding.”

Do you help with the design of the wedding? What sort of things do you do to help create wedding vision dreams come true?

“We do. We have specific design meetings and questionnaires to help us understand their vision. From their we create a design proposal. The proposal presents them with a very detailed idea of what their wedding will look like. We then source items and vendors that will bring their vision to life and work with in their budget.”

Do you organize all the wedding vendors? How does this work?

“Yes. We look at their design, budget and personality to see who is the best fit. From the moment a vendor is booked we manage all correspondence.”

What sort of things do you do to ensure you stay within their budget?

“Most importantly having realistic conversations. Often times Pinterest and IG present us with some many beautiful images that we fall in love with. It is up to us to set realistic expectations about what will work in their budget. If the main inspiration is over budget we will come up with alternative solutions, that will work for their price point.”

On the day of how do you manage to make sure everything runs so smoothly?

“Great pre-planning and strength in numbers. We organize and coordinate for months to ensure an event that will run smoothly. We bring a team of coordinators to make sure all aspects of your event will go smoothly from, vendors, event flow, bridal party and family needs.”

Lerone and Ashley’s Wedding

Wedding Coordination: Alluring Events // Venue: Park Winters // Linen: La Tavola // Rentals: Celebrations Party Rentals // Signage: Shimmer & Stain // Cake: Sugar Bits // DJ: Contemporary DJs // Video: Jensen Films // Hair and Makeup: Michelle DeeAnn // Officant: Cindie Wilding

Honey Lux Wedding Editorial Shoot with Tan Weddings

Planning, Desining, & Ribbons: Tan Weddings and Events // Featured on Let’s Bee Together // Venue: Gun Bun Winery // Videography: Phillip Alan Film // Florals: Yay For Cake // Rentals: Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals and Oksana Lucaci // Hair and Makup: Veronica Marshall – DV Beauty // Cake: Sugar Bits Custom Cakes // Linens: La Tavolla Fine Linen // Paperie: Laura Lambrix Designs // Black Lace Gown: Maggie Sottero // White Gown: Amare Couture // Veil: Bel Aire Bridal // Dress Shop: Miosa Bride // Models: @imsabrinamonique