FAQ’s
Q: What are your fees and pricing structures for your services, and what is included in your packages?
A: Your planning fee is 15% of the overall budget, with a minimum retainer of $15,000. Your planning contract includes all wedding-related organization, venue and vendor selection, stationery and event design, rental management, plus coordination and staffing for the wedding and any additional events throughout the wedding weekend.
Q: What level of customization or personalization is available for your services?
A: Every planning package is customized to our client’s specific needs. Through the planning process, we are able to provide additional support whenever necessary.
Q: How do you handle the budget?
A: The budgeting process begins with an estimated budget based on our client’s guest count and preferences for venues & vendors. Then, we review these estimates together and fine-tune each category to create a realistic, respectful, and well-rounded budget that includes both big-ticket items and the small (but impactful) details required to achieve their vision and design.
Q: Is there a fee for an initial consultation or proposal?
A: No. Your initial consultation, proposal, and revisions are all complimentary. Because we only take a select few clients per year, it’s essential to make sure that we are the best possible fit for each of them.
Q: How early should we book a planner for our wedding?
A: Most clients book our services 12-18 months before their ideal wedding date. But we have a handful that book within 6 months of their wedding date.
Q: Do you offer services for other wedding-related events such as the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or post-wedding farewell brunch?
A: Of course! Many destination weddings include multiple days of events. Planning, design, and coordination of additional events can be included in your planning contract.
Q: How many weddings do you plan per year? Per month?
A: To provide each of our couples personalized attention and ensure a flawless celebration, we take on a maximum of 10 full-service events each year and do not offer day-of or month-of services. We only take one wedding per weekend.
Q: How do you communicate with clients throughout the planning process, and what is your availability for meetings and updates?
A: Our typical office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Your planner is generally available to take your calls during those office hours. Weekends are reserved for events and meetings with clients. Our studio is closed each year over Thanksgiving & Christmas weeks.
Q: Who will we work with?
A: Every wedding we plan is overseen by our Principal Planner. She will be your point of contact throughout the planning process, and she will also be with you on your wedding day. Behind the scenes, our associate planners, designers, and production teams led by the Principal Planner review all the logistics, so on your event day, you’ll have a knowledgeable team of planners who each know every detail as well as you do.
Q: What is your approach to handling the coordination and logistics on the wedding day?
A: Logistics management begins long before the wedding day. We focus on organization from the beginning of the planning process by building detailed timelines and event blueprints and then communicating with your vendor team to ensure flawless execution.
Q: What kind of insurance or contingency plans do you have in place for managing unexpected issues or emergencies that may arise during the wedding day?
A: Every event we produce includes built-in backup plans for inclement weather, timeline delays, etc. We also bring our emergency kit along to support our clients and their vendor teams. Most importantly, with over 15 years of experience, we have seen it all and can navigate the unforeseen with calm, flexibility, and grace.
Q: Will you work with vendors we select, or do we have to work with only your preferred vendors? What is your process for selecting and managing top-tier vendors such as florists, photographers, and caterers?
A: We will happily work with vendors that we haven’t worked with before, but we ask that first, we are able to interview them. We do this to ensure they are reputable, knowledgeable and willing to work with your vendor team, and that they will be good to our clients. On the rare occasion that we find a vendor unacceptable, we require that our clients hire a member of our preferred vendor list.
Q: How do you determine which vendors to recommend to us?
A: Based on your detailed estimated budget, we will recommend vendors that fit within that budget, as well as your style. In most cases, we recommend 2-3 vendors per category, then it’s up to you to choose the vendor you like best.
Q: Can you assist with legal and documentation requirements for destination weddings?
A: Yes. We can guide you through the process of obtaining licenses and permits when necessary.
Q: Do you have experience managing multi-cultural, religious, or non-traditional weddings?
A: Yes. Some of our favorite past events have included thoughtful representations of cultural, religious, or other beliefs woven throughout the design and guest experience.
Q: How do you handle guest list management and invitations?
A: Included in your customized planning portal is a guest-management tool to collect addresses, RSVP’s, dietary restrictions, and more. We will also send you reminders for when to send save the dates, invitations, and other communication to your guest list.
Q: Can you handle the travel and accommodation logistics for our guests?
A: Absolutely. Part of planning a destination wedding includes making sure that your friends and family are well-informed and supported in making travel and lodging arrangements. Your planner will set up room blocks, arrange transportation, and help you with wording on your wedding invitations and website to communicate with your guests.
Q: Can you provide references or testimonials from previous clients?
A: Yes. See our website for testimonials. If you would like to speak to a past client about their experience working with OFD, we would be happy to arrange it.
Q: How do we get started?
A: We will send you your contract with an invoice for the retainer, then we’ll happily get to work!