Wedding planning is hard
Picking a wedding planner doesn't have to be.
We’re breaking down all the major questions folks ask during consultations, so we can focus on getting to know each other during our chat. If your questions aren’t answered here, feel free to ask us anything using our contact form!
Why Should I Hire a Wedding Planner or Coordinator?
A wedding planner or coordinator is there to reduce your stress throughout the planning process. If you want a smooth, beautiful wedding day, you should at least hire a wedding coordinator.
A planner is perfect for couples who struggle with procrastination, don’t have the time to plan the perfect wedding, or have no idea where to start. Planners provide helpful insight and resources on topics ranging from etiquette and organization to total design and vendor selections.
A coordinator works with clients during the final few months before the wedding to ensure that all the details you’ve worked hard to plan come together; they create your wedding day timeline; and they facilitate setup, tear down, and vendor coordination on the wedding day. They take the stress away from the couple as well as family, friends, and the wedding party, so y’all don’t have to answer vendor questions, spend time decorating the venue, or keep an eye on the time to make sure everything runs according to the schedule.
What's an Elopement?
We define an elopement as “an intimate exchange of vows,” which includes couple-only elopements, intimate weddings, and vow renewals. We love celebrating the intimate and authentic, so much that we founded a sister company, ElopeNC, which is a directory of elopement vendors focused on sharing resources and inspiration for couples who are tired of the wedding stress and expectations. We would love to discuss our Elopement Package with you!
What are the benefits of hiring B&B Events as my wedding planner?
We want you to enjoy your wedding planning process from start to finish, with a clear plan for what you need to work on and when. You can rest assured that I will guide you through the process and complete many of the big projects for you; I’ll do the heavy lifting so you can enjoy your entire engagement. Imagine how much extra time you’ll have if you don’t have to communicate with vendors, do tons of research, and stress over the little details!
Together we’ll tackle each step you need to complete before the wedding day, and if you have a busy life or you’re a self-proclaimed procrastinator, you’ll love knowing that I’ll be keeping an eye on the planning process so nothing gets lost, forgotten or rushed at the last minute.
I actually love the logistics – the budgets, timelines, worksheets and planning details that you might not love – so you get to focus on whatever part of planning you most enjoy. You’ll feel confident that the logistics will be taken care of, even if they aren’t your strong suit. Our worksheets ask all the major questions so you know what to think about, and we’re going to help you figure out the answers to those questions so you don’t feel alone. Then, we ask about every detail so your entire plan is on paper – my goal is that I could pass your final wedding weekend packet to someone who knows nothing about your day, and it’d still be everything you’ve imagined and more.
We want your close family and friends to be able to enjoy your wedding day as much as you. We’ll perform setup, work with vendors and answer questions that your family and friends might have otherwise had to do, and this allows them to spend more time with you on your wedding day. Plus, Matt loves taking care of parents and grandparents on wedding days!
What's the difference between a wedding coordinator and a venue coordinator?
The main difference is their priorities. Even if you pay for the services of a venue coordinator, they ultimately work for the venue and prioritize the venue’s best interest, while a wedding coordinator works for you and prioritizes your best interest. For more information on the differences, check out our blog post, “The Difference Between Venue Coordinators & Wedding Coordinators.”
Where did your business name come from?
I was sitting in the office at my day job a few weeks after my wedding, and the name just popped into my head. I didn’t even know I wanted to start a business or that I wanted to be a wedding planner, so I actually had the business name before anything else.
Broken down, “Beauty” and “Budget” each represent an important part of what we do. Beauty is easy to understand – we want to create beautiful moments throughout the wedding process, and stunning wedding days that truly capture who the couple is. As for Budget, we recognize that every couple has a wedding budget, whether things are tight or there’s some wiggle room, whether the couple is paying for everything on their own or they have family help. We want to help our couples have a truly beautiful wedding that sticks to the amount they want to spend.
And of course, our name is a play on the classic Disney story Beauty and the Beast, which expresses that we are playful, romantic, and love being true to who we are.
Do you only work with low budget weddings?
We love working with any budget! The word budget normally makes people think “low cost,” but any amount you want to spend on your wedding is your budget. It can be difficult to stick with that budget, no matter what it is, and wedding sticker shock is real. We want to help you set realistic expectations, stay on track with your total, and make decisions on vendor and decor based on your budget and preferences. We’ve worked with wedding budgets ranging from $6,000 to $60,000.
Are you an insured wedding planner?
We are! Beauty & the Budget Events has a policy through Hiscox Business Insurance for both general and professional liability. We recognize that many venues prefer to work with insured vendors only, so that won’t be an obstacle if you choose to work with us.
What's an emergency kit?
An emergency kit is the collection of items a wedding planner brings to each event that could help in the case of an emergency. Our extensive emergency kit includes items such as scissors, multiple kinds of tape, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, extension cords, command strips, hot glue gun, deodorant wipes, a cake cutting set, and so much more!
Do you have an assistant?
Yes! Every wedding has a lead coordinator and assistant, to assist with setup, tear down, and general management throughout the day. This allows us to be prepared in every moment, and respond to any wedding day surprises that need our attention.
What do you actually do on my wedding day?
A wedding day is a lot like a show – you’re the stars, your wedding party and family are the supporting cast, and I’m the director. You’ll get one dress rehearsal the night before, so it’s up to my team to direct everything happening behind the curtains, from props to stage crew, so you get to focus on your lines (“I do!”).
We spend up to 12 hours at your venue on wedding day, the first to arrive and the last to leave. We work with all vendors to ensure arrival times and setup specifications are followed, based on what we all discussed, and coordinate the timeline with them throughout the day. When it comes to set up, whether you purchased, rented, or DIY’d something, we’ll set it up if another vendor isn’t contracted to do so. We make sure both partners are ready and arrive at the venue on time, orchestrate the start of the ceremony, and make sure everyone gets down the aisle, just as we practice during the rehearsal beforehand.
After the ceremony, we confirm that the marriage license is signed (if needed) and who will be mailing it in (typically the officiant). We communicate with your photographer to make sure you get all the photos you want during cocktail hour and that the reception starts on time (or a little later if YOU decide you want more photo time).
Once the reception is ready to start, we line up the wedding party and couple for their grand entrance, make sure the emcee is ready to announce everyone, and send you into your reception. We make sure you eat dinner while your guests are served or head to the buffet – I’ll play bodyguard if needed! – and once everyone is finished eating, we manage the timeline so that you have your first dance, toasts, cake cutting and any other planned activities. We stay flexible and willing to adjust the timeline according to how the evening is going, and we keep in constant communication with all vendors so that everyone is on the same page. You’ll never need to know what time it is or what comes next; I’ll let you know when it’s time to do something important or exciting, like walk down the aisle or enjoy your first dance, so you can relax and enjoy your guests between points on the timeline.
When the wedding is wrapping up, we orchestrate your sendoff, make sure all personal items are packed up, and organize tear down with all vendors and family members to make sure everything is cleaned up and back where it belongs.
Will you travel?
We love to travel! We’ve been all over North Carolina, and we are more than happy to plan or coordinate weddings in other states. The first client to book us for a wedding in a new state receives 50% off their package! Travel fees may apply. Please contact us for details.
Check out a wedding that took place in…
Banner Elk, NC | Bear Creek, NC | Benson, NC | Cary, NC | Chapel Hill, NC | Dunn, NC | Durham, NC | Garner, NC | Greensboro, NC | High Point, NC | Lexington, NC | Raleigh, NC | Selma, NC | Willow Springs, NC
Can you hold my date?
We are unable to hold any date without a retainer fee. If you are the first person to inquire about a date but have not yet booked, we will notify you if someone else expresses interest in your date so you have the opportunity to book first. However, we will provide services to the first couple who signs a contract and pays the retainer for any given wedding date.
How and when do we have to pay?
We provide clients the option to pay online via invoice, which the client receives alongside their contract. Payment can also be made via check or PayPal. Clients are required to pay a 25% retainer to book their service, and the final payment is required 30 days before the wedding date. Clients have the option to choose how and when they pay the remaining 75% between those dates.
What's Your Cancelation/Rescheduling Policy?
If you choose to cancel an event, all monies paid are non-refundable, but you are not responsible for any balance. If you reschedule or move an event, you may be subject to additional fees.
In the event of a reschedule due to COVID-19, deployment, or other matters outside of your control, you may reschedule once subject to Beauty & the Budget Events availability, at no additional fee, for a date of equal or lesser value.
When should I book my wedding planner or coordinator?
As soon as possible! There is no harm in booking your planner or coordinator as soon as you get engaged since you know you’ll need one. Typically, clients hire a wedding planner 9 to 14 months before their wedding, and clients often book coordination 4 to 8 months before their wedding. If your wedding date is in high demand (April, May, September, October), we strongly recommend booking your planner or coordinator earlier to ensure you hire the vendor you want!
