FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WE JUST GOT ENGAGED. WHEN SHOULD WE HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER?

You should hire us 18-12 months prior to our wedding day if you’re looking for full planning coverage, 12-10 months prior to your wedding day for partial planning, and 12-9 months prior for Month-of Coordination.

HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT PACKAGE IS BEST FOR US?

We always set up a free 30 minute consultation with potential clients to gague what package is best for you!

HOW MUCH OF YOUR OVERALL BUDGET SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO WEDDING PLANNING OR COORDINATION?

Roughly 10 to 15 percent of your total budget should go towards wedding planning and coordination. Although, this may change based on your vendor priorities.

WHAT IS YOUR STARTING RATE?

We can create custom mini wedding and elopment packages for weddings hosting 30 or under starting at $2,500. Our Month-of Coordination package starts at $3,000 for full day-of coverage.

SHOULD WE PICK OUR VENUE OR OUR PLANNER FIRST?

We reccomend booking your planning team first before all your vendors or venue so you can gain advice and insight about your prospective vendors or venue before booking them. We prefer when clients book the planning team first because we can offer you insight on what venues may fit your style and even your ethics, however you can book your planner after you reserve your date and venue.

The bottom line is if you form a connection with your planning team and want to guarentee that they are available for your date, book your planner first.

WE JUST WANT A COORDINATOR ON THE DAY OF OUR WEDDING. IS THAT A SERVICE YOU OFFER A LA CARTE?

We do not offer day-of coverage a la carte. We have found that day-of coordination sets us up for failure because we never have enough context going into your event to execute your day-of plan. We need at least two meetings to discuss the timeline and generate a game plan for the big day. We always say if you’re looking for “day-of coordination” you’re really looking for “month-of coordination”.

MY VENUE INCLUDES A VENUE COORDINATOR. DO I NEED A PLANNER OR WEDDING COORDINATOR IF MY VENUE INCLUDES A POINT PERSON?

A venue coordinator is an hourly employee who represents the venue and helps with all things related to the venue. A venue coordinator represents the venue. A venue coordinator does not represent the client and will always do what’s in the best interest of the venue. A wedding planner or wedding coordinator represents the client and will always do what’s in the best interest of the client. A wedding planner aids in planning your wedding and has meetings with you leading up to your event to establish a game plan to execute your vision. On the day-of the wedding, a wedding planner coordinates the events of the day, offers you aid and keeps you in the loop and on time, insures you are recieving the services you’ve paid for with the addtional vendors that you’ve hired, communicates with vendors before the event and on the day-of as well as making executive desisions when things don’t go exactly according to plan. Think of us like the wedding day managers who reduce stress and see to all the little things so you have to.

I DON’T LIVE IN ARIZONA. CAN I PLAN MY WEDDING REMOTELY?

Absolutely! All of our planning meetings are held over Zoom and we are happy to do venue walk throughs, tastings and more in person on your behalf.

DOES GABRIELLA & CO. OFFER DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING?

Yes! We currently offer nationwide wedding planning and coordination services. Just cover our travel fees and we are there!

CAN I ADD ON HOURS FOR THE DAY-OF IF I NEED MORE COORDINATION COVERAGE?

Yes! Our hourly rate is $250 for an additional hour of day-of service for a lead planner.

WHAT OTHER SERVICES CAN I ADD ON?

If you can dream it, you can add it. If you’re looking to add on a venue walk through, an addtional coordinator, a floor plan, rehearsal dinner or farewell brunch set up and coordination we have a variety of a la carte options for weddings and surrounding events that require more coorination or planning than what’s included in our standard packages.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE GIVE TO THE NEWLY ENGAGED STARTING THEIR PLANNING JOURNEY?

Book vendors that you’re excited about! Nothing makes us more happy that that natural connection we get with our dream clients. As much as possible, try to hire vendors who align with you and your values. Hire vendors who view working on your wedding as an honor, because it is.