Frequently Asked Questions

Statistics say that planning a wedding takes most couples over 250 hours from start to finish! Hiring a Professional Wedding Planner or Coordinator can not only save you time and effort, it can also help you save money, prioritize qualified vendors, plan your own personalized budget, know what questions to ask ahead of time, review your vendor contracts, and so much more. After all, this isn’t our first rodeo! This may be your first wedding, but remember we plan weddings year-round, every year, so we know the best, reliable vendors, how to make your budget go further, how to make your dream design come to life, and exactly what is necessary for flawless event execution! And, most importantly, we can ensure you (and your family members and friends) are truly present and enjoying your special day.

A wedding manager (most commonly known as a Month-Of Coordinator or 60-Day Coordinator) is normally someone who assists with the clients’ already existing plans and already hired vendors. We are confirming that your booked vendors have the information they need to be successful for you, answering their questions and creating your cohesive timeline, and we are there to handle any stressors that may come within the final weeks of planning. We are managing all event details in the later stages closer to the wedding so you don’t have to.

A wedding planner is normally someone who is there for you through the early planning and design stages. We are organizing details from the beginning of vendor searching and hiring, contract reviewing, design mock-ups, full wedding checklists, and much more. You name it, we're doin' it.

To answer simply, we do not offer “day-of” coordination services. In our professional experience, the concept of a true “day-of” coordinator is misleading. A wedding requires extensive preparation, planning, and detailed oversight well before the event day. It is unrealistic to expect a professional to arrive on-site that morning and fully understand the countless moving parts, vendor communications, and personal details involved.

With Wedding Management, usually 30-60 days out, it ensures thoughtful preparation, seamless execution, and a wedding day that reflects your vision with every detail carefully considered. We can assist you with everything that is required before all of your final decisions and guest count are due. All of the final details will be taken care of and you can relax come a few weeks before your wedding day!

To Be Loved Events is perfect for the couple madly in love who is eager and excited to dive into the planning process! Working with me on your wedding planning is meant to be a relaxing and fun journey, while also being highly organized and thorough. My goal for each wedding I assist with is to make sure you are so happy with your design and details and that your event truly reflects your love story. My ultimate goal is to help you tell your love story to your guests through your eyes and for you to have the most memorable day of your life.

To Be Loved is inclusive and celebrates all love stories. ALL love is welcome here, and my goal is always to make my couples feel loved, comfortable, and like a priority no matter what race, sexuality, gender, ethnicity, religious or political beliefs, etc.

So the simple answer is yes, most of the time! Here is the difference between a Venue Coordinator and a privately-hired Wedding Coordinator:

Venue Coordinators are employed by venues which means, in most cases, they ultimately have the venue’s best interest in mind. These coordinators are mainly in charge of making sure the venue’s guidelines are known and followed. They may help with the general set up of the venue, catering, and what is included with your venue package, but normally they will not help with your specific details and full management of your wedding timeline and logistics.

Likewise, Wedding Coordinators like myself ultimately have YOUR best interest in mind every step of the way. We are hired by you to be there for you, as well as your other vendors too. We coordinate directly with your vendor team to make sure your day, all of your specific details, and your timeline are seamlessly executed. We will be there for the entirety of the event.

This is not to say that one is more important than the other. Both are so important to the success of your Big Day, but we do have separate purposes. Make sure to ask your venue what their preferences are and if they require a Private Wedding Coordinator or not.

My current pricing is in the mid-range for Southern California Wedding Planners, and all of my quotes are custom to every couple and event! Every wedding and client is unique and my pricing is based on the scope of the event, location(s), design, guest count, etc.

My pricing takes into account my level of expertise and education in the industry as well as the luxury service that I provide my clients. I truly believe that every engaged couple deserves to have a wedding planner or at a minimum a manager/coordinator (Ask anyone who has been through it or any other wedding vendor!) We are truly worth the investment to ensure your day is unforgettable and stress-free for you, your family, and your other vendors too!

I will always be your go-to point person on your wedding day, but most of my packages do include one Production Assistant to ensure your day unfolds flawlessly! My professional assistant(s) for your Big Day will be well informed about your wedding details prior to starting and will be knowledgeable about your timeline and any special requests or circumstances. I do also require additional assistants for larger guest counts, multiple venue locations, and more intricate design or production assistance.

Most Southern California wedding venues require that vendors who will be working on property have Liability Insurance. To Be Loved Events is fully insured with General and Professional Liability Insurance.

This is an amazing question and one that I don’t get asked as often as I should! One of my main jobs as your Wedding Coordinator is to be your eyes and ears for any unexpected issues that may arise. I am constantly on my toes watching for holes in the logistics and have ideas for backup plans if anything is to change or become a problem on your day or prior to the event. I am always 3 steps ahead of the timeline and making sure everything is in place so you don’t have to, and my detailed plans, production lists, and specifications are always at the forefront of my mind while you are off taking your beautiful, Newlywed portraits and laughing with your best friends.

What keeps me the calmest on a wedding day is 1) making sure I have an amazing team of prepared assistants with me who can step in if I have to handle a situation, 2) making sure every vendor is prepared and has communicated with me if they have any concerns prior to the wedding day, and 3) knowing my couples trust me to make the tough calls and decisions for the best of their event.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to at least have a 30 or 60-Day Coordinator to help you project and plan for any missing details or logistics. I truly believe the best coordinators are the ones with the most preparation and the ones whose clients trust them the most to execute their day. Having full trust in your Coordinator can bring you and your other vendors at ease knowing that he or she can handle anything that comes our way!

Feel free to email me directly at Samantha@ToBeLovedEvents.com with any other questions you might have!