what full planning + design actually looks like
A Real Breakdown of What We Handle (So You Don’t Have To)
When couples first inquire about full wedding planning, one of the biggest questions is usually:
“But what does full planning actually include?”
And honestly? That’s a fair question.
Because “full service” can mean wildly different things depending on the planner. Some planners simply manage logistics. Others focus heavily on design. Some step in only a few months before the wedding.
For us, Full Planning + Design means we are with you from the very beginning, helping guide every decision, organizing every moving piece, and creating a wedding experience that feels cohesive, intentional, and genuinely you.
This service is designed for couples who:
Have demanding schedules
Feel overwhelmed by where to start
Want expert guidance throughout the process
Care deeply about the guest experience and design details
Want to enjoy engagement season without constantly stressing over timelines and logistics
Our role is to become your planning partner, design guide, organization system, and calm presence throughout the entire process.
So here’s a real breakdown of what that actually looks like behind the scenes.
Phase One: Vision, Priorities & Getting Organized
Before we talk florals or color palettes, we start with the foundation.
This phase is all about understanding:
Your priorities
Your wedding vision
Your personalities as a couple
Your guest experience goals
Your budget comfort zone
What matters most (and what doesn’t)
This is where we help transform “Pinterest overload” into a clear direction.
What Happens During This Stage
Introductory Planning Meeting
We kick things off with an in-depth conversation about:
Wedding style
Desired atmosphere
Guest count
Budget expectations
Family dynamics
Weekend plans
Cultural or personal traditions
Logistics concerns
We also help identify where your budget should work hardest based on your priorities.
Planning Portal + Digital Resources
Once booked, you receive:
Unlimited communication access
A curated online planning portal via Google Drive
Planning templates
Budget trackers
Monthly checklists
Seating chart templates
RSVP organization tools
Photo shot list guidance
Vendor tracking documents
This becomes your wedding “home base” throughout the process. Instead of searching through emails and screenshots, everything stays organized and accessible in one place. You can also purchase individual planning templates through our Etsy!
Phase Two: Venue & Vendor Booking
This is where the planning really starts moving.
One of the biggest stressors for couples is figuring out:
Who to hire
When to hire them
What questions to ask
Whether pricing is reasonable
How to compare proposals
That’s where we step in.
Venue Selection & Booking
We help research, narrow down, and book your:
Wedding venue
Ceremony location
Hotel room blocks (if needed)
If venue tours are needed, we attend alongside you to help assess:
Layout flow
Lighting
Logistics
Rain plans
Accessibility
Vendor restrictions
Guest experience
Because a beautiful venue still needs to function well for your wedding day. Our goal is to build a vendor team that works well together, not just individually.
Phase Three: Full Wedding Design
This is where the wedding starts feeling truly cohesive.
Good wedding design is about creating an experience where every detail feels intentional and connected.
What Our Full Design Collection Includes
We create a complete visual direction for your wedding, including:
Overall aesthetic
Color palette
Floral wishlist
Reception table styling
Specialty rentals
Formal invitation direction
Paper products
Custom signage
Napkin folds
Lounge concepts
Candle styling
Wedding layout & diagrams
Every design decision is made to feel cohesive from start to finish.
The Design Deck
One of the biggest pieces of this service is our digital design deck. This becomes the visual blueprint for your wedding.
It may include:
Mood boards
Color story
Floral inspiration
Linen pairings
Tablescape mockups
Rental recommendations
Lighting inspiration
Ceremony concepts
Bar styling
Signage direction
Guest experience moments
This is especially helpful because it allows every vendor to understand the same creative vision.
In-Person Design Meetings
Throughout the process, we may attend:
Design meetings
Menu tastings
Floral mock-ups
Final walkthroughs
Venue tours
These meetings help refine the details and ensure every element works together beautifully.
Phase Four: Wedding Logistics & Management
This is the part couples often don’t see, but it’s one of the most important.
A wedding has countless moving parts behind the scenes. Our job is to make sure all of them work together smoothly.
We create a detailed minute-to-minute wedding day timeline that covers:
Hair & makeup
Photography timing
Transportation
Vendor arrivals
Ceremony cues
Cocktail hour
Reception flow
Toasts
First dances
Cake cutting
Late night events
Breakdown timing
Everyone receives a version customized to their role, because a smooth wedding day doesn’t happen accidentally!
Wedding Layouts & Diagrams
We create diagrams for:
Reception layouts
Ceremony seating
Lounge areas
Dance floor flow
Bar placement
Escort card displays
Vendor setup
These diagrams help vendors execute efficiently and consistently.
Phase Five: Wedding Weekend Coordination
Weddings today are often full weekend experiences. That’s why our Full Planning + Design package includes management of one additional wedding weekend event, such as:
Rehearsal dinner
Welcome party
Farewell brunch
Group activity
(Design for this event is not included.)
We also lead:
One hour rehearsal practice with the Principal Planner the day before the wedding
This ensures everyone understands:
Processional order
Ceremony cues
Timing
Entrances
Exits
This helps the actual ceremony feel much more relaxed and seamless.
Phase Six: Wedding Day Execution
This is where all the planning comes together. And while your wedding day may look effortless, there is a lot happening behind the scenes to keep it that way.
Your Planning Team
Your wedding day team includes:
Two Assistant Planners
One Bridal Duty Assistant
With up to 12 working hours dedicated to:
Ceremony coordination
Cocktail hour management
Reception oversight
Vendor communication
Timeline execution
Guest assistance
Problem solving
Behind-The-Scenes Support
On wedding day, we are:
Managing vendor arrivals
Answering questions
Cueing music
Adjusting timelines
Fixing décor issues
Bustling dresses
Handling emergencies
Keeping everything on schedule
Troubleshooting unexpected issues before you even notice them
We also assist with:
Setting up personal décor items
Cleaning up select personal items at the end of the night
And yes, we bring the emergency kit.
Full Planning + Design is more than coordinating a wedding day.
It’s creating an experience where every detail feels intentional, every vendor is aligned, and you feel supported from start to finish.
Our goal is simple:
To handle the stress, organization, logistics, and behind-the-scenes management so you can focus on the meaningful, exciting, and joy-filled parts of getting married.
Because you deserve to experience your wedding season, not just manage it!
Ready to get started? Click here!
