wedding planner & DESIGNER in washington, DC
Wedding planning can be very exciting, but also overwhelming. We take care of the details, allowing our clients to immerse themselves in the enjoyable aspects of the process— such as trying on dresses, menu tastings, selecting place settings, and touring venues—without the hassle of contracts, negotiations, or vendor follow-ups.
OUR FULL SERVICE PROCESS
With 8 years in the DC wedding industry, Madison has created a tried-and-true process that is organized into clear steps below so you can understand what our company does on your behalf to save you time, sanity, and even money!
01 Wedding Planning
Access to our online wedding planning organizer (Aisle Planner)
Creating a wedding checklist
Creating a wedding budget
Leading venue tours
Booking the venue (or tent for at-home weddings)
Vendor recommendations & contract review
Booking all vendors for the wedding day
Managing all vendor correspondence
Creating multiple floor plan options
Attending the menu tasting and other in-person meetings
General wedding etiquette, insurance, and website guidance
Discounts to our exclusive brand partners
Optional add-ons:
Wedding website creation
Booking hotel room blocks
02 Wedding Design
Analyzing your Pinterest board or inspiration photos
Providing unlimited color palette options
Creating 2-3 mood boards that narrow down the vision for you to choose from
Virtual design meeting to finalize mood board selection
Choosing a photographer that aligns with your photography style
Customizing the invitation suite and mailing it on your behalf
Communicating the vision with florists, bakers, caterers, venues, and rental companies
Going to the rental showroom to select place settings with you
Sourcing, ordering, and prepping all wedding day supplies
Styling all details on the wedding day such as flat lays, escort displays, photo angles, and more
03 Wedding COordination
Confirming all details with vendors
Finalizing the timeline and floor plan
Scheduling & leading the final walkthrough at the venue
Assisting in seating chart creation
Guidance on guest flow, music, entrances, introductions, and more
Attending photographer & DJ prep meetings
Planning the processional & recessional
Leading the wedding rehearsal on the day before
04 The Wedding Day
Lead planner and 2 assistants on the wedding day
Directing vendor set-up & ensuring they are adhering to their contracts
Answering all vendor questions and hiccups
Prioritizing the couple and their needs
Guiding family, bridal party, & guests
Dealing with any issues that arise
Overseeing vendor breakdown at the end of the night
Coordinating any last dances/sparkler exits
Packing your car or hotel with all gifts & supplies
INVESTMENT
Our pricing is custom based on the scope of the event. Please fill out our inquiry form for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
There are a variety of types of planners and planning packages available, so there is quite a range of answers to this question on the internet. As a planner who has been in the DC market for 8 years, I can confidently say that a full-service planner will range from 10-20% of your wedding budget. The lower end of the percentages will be for planners who have less experience or are less design-oriented, while the higher percentages will be for planners who have more experience and are highly design focused.
-
If you are looking for full-service wedding planning, right after you are engaged is most ideal so we can create the perfect vision for your wedding together from the start. If you already have a venue booked, that is a perfect starting place too!
-
A wedding planner is a hired vendor who manages the entire wedding planning process. A wedding coordinator is a hired vendor that comes in towards the end of the process (typically about 2-3 months prior to the wedding day) and ties all the details together that you have been managing thus far.
-
There is a common fear I hear among brides that if they have a full-service wedding planner, they are giving up control of their wedding. While we can’t speak for other planners, we can confidently say that our couples are at the forefront of our process and we have a collaborative approach that involves our clients in the process without them taking on so much that it becomes stressful.
-
This can vary between planners depending on experience level and scope of the wedding. For example, a custom tented wedding is going to take more hours than a venue with lots of in-house items. Another example is that a newer planner will take longer to create a master timeline than a seasoned planner.
-
Our full-service planning package is very comprehensive. The only things it does not include and can be discussed as add–ons are wedding website creation, RSVP tracking, and hotel room blocks.
-
The investment is broken up into three or four payments throughout the planning process. We send a secure digital link for you to pay via ACH (no fee) or credit card (3% fee).
-
For weddings within a 50 mile radius Washington, DC (exact address of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500), all travel costs are covered in your planning fee.
For weddings outside of that radius, we require that clients cover travel fees, and our planning contract clearly lays out these expectations upfront so there are no surprises down the road.
-
Fill out our inquiry form for us to review and we will schedule a time for a 1-hour complimentary consultation if we have availability for your date!