As a Wisconsin wedding planner with over a decade of experience, I get asked questions related to wedding planning a lot. Please read on to see my responses to our most Frequently Asked Questions, and to experience some gorgeous photography from our 2022 weddings!

Photo above by Ann Ilagan Photography

Photo below by Kailey Stencil Photography

FAQ #1: Why should I hire a wedding planner?

Most couples these days are working professionals and are simply too busy to plan a wedding with all its many details. Wedding planning can be overwhelming and stressful when you do not have the time that is needed to put into it. Your wedding is such an important – and expensive – event in your life. It makes sense to hire a professional to assist you during the process. We work with only the best wedding professionals, so you can rest assured that every member of your wedding team will be giving 100% to make your wedding fantastic.

Best of all, having a professional wedding planner means that you (AND your friends and family) can relax and enjoy all of the amazing experiences and emotions that come on your wedding day without being stressed. There are a million other reasons, but chances are, if you’re reading this, you are already entertaining the idea you may need a wedding planner!

Photos by Narvold Photography

FAQ #2: What is your planning process like?

Our planning process starts the moment we receive an inquiry. We are fast at work brainstorming ideas based on any information you give us. The more info you give us up front, the better! We want to develop ideas with you even on that first call.

From there, once a signed contract and a retainer are received, we hold the date and get to work! We send a questionnaire that allows us to get to know you. We ask that this is returned prior to our first consultation so we can be prepared with ideas for vendors, timeline, layout, etc. We provide lots planning tools and resources for you in this meeting as well. From there, our process depends on the service you secure with us.

Wedding Management

Wedding Planning & Design

We are available to you to answer any questions along the way! We check in every month to say hello and see how things are coming along but we encourage our clients to keep us in the loop, ask questions and allow us to be apart of the process. About 3 months prior to the wedding, we schedule a venue walk through with you and begin reconciling details with vendors and producing the final documents that will make your wedding day a success.

Following the initial consultation, we are fast at work pairing you with vendors that best suit your style and wishes. We attend meetings with those vendors with or on your behalf and assist in securing their services. We keep track of all the details and guide you through the pieces you’ll need to work on. Things such as your guest list, your gift registry and trying on a dress, things we can’t do for you. We are otherwise tending to the details and alleviating the burden of logistics.

And with both services, we conduct the rehearsal and provide at least one or two event assistants on the wedding day. Then of course, we follow up after every wedding to thank you for allowing us to serve you and to gain feedback on how we can better ourselves. We believe in always learning and growing and our clients are the best source of suggestions!

Photos by O&B Photo Co

FAQ #3: What does a wedding planner do?

We are the middlemen. We worry about vendors showing up, centerpieces arriving on time, directing guests, and setting up and breaking down so you don’t have to.

We are the secretary. We type out and organize timelines, budgets, VIP photo and song lists; we keep track of vendors and their contact information; and we even help with contract language.

We see the bigger picture. When planning a wedding, it is so easy to become overwhelmed with the tiny details, that sometimes the bigger picture can get overlooked. “I was so focused on the decorations, I forgot to order the cake!” We are here to help you take a step back and focus on the details AS WELL AS the bigger picture so you won’t miss a single detail.

We are your mediators. Every couple should be able to relax and enjoy their wedding day, and especially be able to enjoy one another. It’s much harder to do that when you have a million people running up to you with questions and mini disasters when all you want to do is soak up the happiness and enjoy yourselves. Our job is to handle the questions and mini disasters for you, and make sure you have as many happy moments as humanly possible.

We keep your best interests in mind. Did the rainy weather ruin your beautiful outdoor setting? We arrange it indoors, equally as beautiful, in no time flat. Did a bridesmaid’s hem come loose? We pin it into place. Did you forget to buy a knife and server set? We’ve got your back.

Photos by Anya Kubilus Photography

FAQ #4: Can I afford a wedding planner?

A wedding is an investment. If you’re going to host the party of your lifetime, doesn’t it just make sense that you want it to be as fantastic and stress-free as possible? Not to mention, don’t you want to know if you are investing your money in the right places? What would that be worth to you?

The couples that hire us are looking for peace of mind. Yes, you can afford it, and you deserve to have the wedding you want. Hiring dedicated professionals who spend their lives making sure people have the wedding they want is worth every penny.

We are happy to discuss pricing with you. No obligation, no awkward conversations after we chat if we’re not right for you. We believe a good fit is important!

Photo by Savannah Steiger Photography

FAQ #5: What is the difference between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator?

In a nutshell, from our experience, your venue coordinator is responsible for overseeing the set-up, food and beverage, and logistics as it relates directly to the venue. An outside wedding planner will coordinate and manage ALL logistics and design details with your entire wedding team.

A great wedding planner will not only make YOUR life easier and stress-free when it comes to planning your wedding but will also streamline and simplify the jobs of your entire vendor team (including your venue coordinator!). This allows each vendor to bring their A game to your wedding and results in wedding amazingness for all.