AB Event Company | Northern California Wedding Planner

I’m a wedding planner and these are the things I’d actually do if I was trying to save money on my wedding. AND none of it involves telling vendors it’s a “gala.” PART ONE: BIG TICKET ITEMS The biggest money-saving moves aren’t random cuts or icky “hacks,” they’re intentional decisions: -Cut the guest list before cutting vendor quality -Set priorities with my partner so we’re not spending money on things we don’t actually care about -Choose a venue that already looks beautiful so we don’t need tons of decor -Focus my design budget on high-impact and highly-photographed areas, like the sweetheart table -Repurpose every floral piece I could -Limit (or eliminate) the wedding party Saving money isn’t about cutting corners. It IS about making intentional decisions that actually move the needle. Part 2: Vendor strategy + creative tricks coming tomorrow Comment below so the algorithm brings you back tomorrow for part 2 ⬇️ Cover: @allexacrossonphoto

🏳️‍🌈HAPPY PRIDE🏳️‍🌈 We did this last year and have decided to make it an annual thing! WE’RE PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS!💰💵 For every new booking in June, we’ll donate $100 to @trevorproject , a nonprofit organization that provides information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round. We pledge to donate at least $200, even if we get zero bookings this month (but like, let’s do more!). We’re also adding the fundraiser to our bio so anyone can easily join us in donating if they are able 🫶 If you’ve been waiting to book your planner and you’re looking for a way to help LGBTQ+ youth, the time is now. If you’re not looking for a planner, but you want to donate; check out my bio for a link to the fundraiser! VENDOR TEAM: Planning & Design: @abeventco Photography:@katelynbradleyphotography Videography: @hapa.films Venue: @propagatesac Florals: @wildly_designed Content Creator: @withlovecontent Furniture Rentals: @petiteeventsco Tabletop Rentals: @memorableeventsrentals Cake: @sarahbakesgf Hair: @mainst.aesthetics Makeup: @lyssfacee Dress & Bridal Suit: @bridetobecouture Model Couple: @fernjinkings & @jessi.poo.165 ALL VIDEO CAPTURED BY @withlovecontent

Imagine if you actually enjoyed planning your wedding. This is how it’s done. BY HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER! Listen, I know everyone thinks they can plan a wedding on their own and theoretically, they can. BUT (and it’s a big BUT) it’s a LOT of work! If you’re working full time, it’s basically adding on a second job. Wedding planning *can* add on a lot of added stress & overwhelm, but it doesn’t HAVE to! Working with a professional wedding planner to help you through the process and take some (if not most) of those wedding planning tasks off your hands can allow you to actually enjoy the process! Novel concept, am I right?! You don’t have the be the stressed out bride. You CAN enjoy the ride. My books are open for ONE more full planning client and a few more partial planning clients in 2024! Interested in having someone who’s been in your shoes walk you through the process? Comment “ME!” below and I’ll DM you a welcome message to chat about your wedding details and determine how I can best help you enjoy your engagement! May & October are already FULLY BOOKED, so don’t wait to inquire! Cover photo: @heyhails . . . #sacramentoweddings #sacramentoweddingplanner #norcalwedding #norcalweddingplanner #professionalweddingplanner #weddingdesign #weddingplanninghelp #weddingplanning101 #weddingplanning #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanningtips

BRB Venmo requesting you for your meal cost 🏃‍♀️ …but in all seriousness this WILL happen and it IS extremely frustrating. I’ve seen over 200 weddings and only handful had every guest attend. Should you plan for this by ordering less food? NO! Prep your heart & mind for last-minute cancelations. People are rude and it’s going to happen. Stress & resentment will ruin your experience faster than a no-show guest. BUT ALSO: can we please all agree that if you RSVP “yes” to a wedding, the literal only reason you don’t go is an ACTUAL emergency? Send this to your friend who’s getting married this year! Cover photo: @jessmiriamphoto

Emily & Matt wanted their wedding to feel earthy and whimsical, but with a modern twist. We curated a neutral color palette that drew inspiration from the venue to ensure we were complimenting the property’s existing beauty, not competing with it. We kept the ceremony florals simple, including only a few larger ground arrangements so the beautiful fountain would be completely visible as their ceremony backdrop. For their reception, we repurposed the ceremony florals to create a ground installation that was the focal point of their sweetheart table. We utilized a mix of round & rectangular tables, with various arrangement styles & sizes set in neutral, earthy vases. Votive & taper candles provided romantic lighting during dinner and later dancing, really setting the mood for the remainder of the evening. Emily & Matt incorporated some personal touches on their tables through the use of baby photos on their table numbers and everyone LOVED seeing these! They also decided on a more unique dessert, which was so much fun for guests, and absolutely DELICIOUS! Who doesn’t love a churro with chocolate sauce?! Emily & Matt: your wedding day was stunning and so much fun! Thank you for trusting me with your big day 🤍 Design & Planning: @abeventco Venue: @parkwinters Photography: @jessmiriamphoto Videography: @everlastingmotionpictures Floral: @strelitzia_weddings_and_events DJ: @mvmntdjs Officiant: @tanweddingsandevents Rentals: @blossomfarmvintagerentals Makeup Artist: @makeupbydanicaroe Hair: @kayy.hairstylist Desserts: @churrobarco Transportation: @neumannlimo

Can’t believe it’s been nearly 2 years since this perfect day 🥹🫶🏼 Can’t wait to come back to this gorgeous venue next month 💌 • • • Photography: @alyssarubyphotography Coordination: @abeventco Venue: @grandislandmansion Content Creator: @thebridalgirly Floral: @strelitzia_weddings_and_events DJ: @extremeprodjs Rentals: @alexispartyrental Cake: @biancaakaabakes Welcome signage: @crumandco Makeup Artist: @makeup.by.lenna Dress: @alenaleenabridal @aandbe_bridalshop Suit: @indochino

If you want to actually enjoy your wedding day, this is your sign to hire a wedding planner. Sure, you can plan your wedding without a planner. You can also hitchhike. I wouldn’t recommend either. Here’s the thing: both technically get you where you’re trying to go, but one comes with wayyy more stress, risk, and “we should’ve done this differently” moments. Planning your wedding isn’t just picking pretty things. It’s timelines, logistics, vendor communication, problem-solving, and about a hundred tiny decisions you didn’t even know existed until you’re IN it. And yes, you *can* figure it all out yourself. But at what cost? Your time. Your energy. Your ability to actually be present and enjoy the day you’ve been waiting for. You deserve to feel taken care of. You deserve a wedding day that feels seamless, calm, and fully yours. Not one where you’re managing moving parts behind the scenes. If you’re a Fall 2026 couple and you’re starting to realize you don’t want to do this alone… I’m here 🤍 Inquire through the link in my bio to get started. Cover photo @katieee.jpeg

Somewhere along the way, weddings became A LOT. More details. More decisions. More “must-haves” that didn’t even exist five years ago. And suddenly, something that’s supposed to feel exciting starts to feel extremely overwhelming. I wouldn’t let my best friend overcomplicate her wedding. And you shouldn’t either. Not everything needs a custom moment. Not every corner needs to be styled. Not every trend needs to be included. Now don’t get me wrong, if you enjoy the process and want to go above and beyond, I LOVE to help you do that! *BUT* The weddings that feel the best are the ones that feel intentional, easy, and actually enjoyable to be a part of. If you’re looking to streamline the process and plan a wedding your guests will enjoy, focus on the basics: food, drink, music, and guest comfort. Upgrading in these 4 areas will make a noticeable difference for your guests. You don’t need always need more, you need what makes sense for you and your guests. Cover photo @jessmiriamphoto

It’s giving: chaos control but make it festive 🐣 As I was gathering the final items for my little ones’ Easter baskets, I thought about what my own ideal Easter baskets would look like (if it could include ANYTHING - and not just physical items)! Being a wedding planner means thriving in chaos… but also secretly wishing for:
- a pause button for the timeline - hair & makeup ahead of schedule - a steamer that actually works - clients who trust us (& mean it!)
- and vendor teams who read the timeline (& our emails) Just a few small dreams 🩷🩷🩷 2026 couples & other wedding vendors: what’s going in your Easter basket? 👇

The amount of wedding discourse on the internet right now is exhausting. Too trendy. Too basic. Too expensive. Not timeless enough. Too timeless (??) Meanwhile, the world is on fire and real people are just trying to plan a wedding they’re excited about. LET PEOPLE HAVE THINGS! The rules are made up. The opinions are loud. And none of them matter more than yours. Your wedding is going to reflect the year you got married no matter what you do. So you might as well make it feel like you. Do what brings you joy. Tell me something you love for your wedding that the internet is telling you not to do ⬇️ Cover photo @liz_zimbelmanphoto

We will do anything for those reception detail shots 💪 INCLUDING holding every personal item that was dropped at the reception tables early. Guess maybe I should add “coat rack” to my business card? Cover photo @deniseapgarphoto

Your wedding is about you, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. When you invite people to spend the day with you, there IS a level of consideration that comes with that. It’s not about tradition, perfection, or extravagance. It’s about basic hospitality. The weddings that feel the best to attend don’t have the most extras or the trendiest design. WHAT THEY DO HAVE: - A timeline that flows naturally so guests aren’t wondering what’s happening next - Enough food for everyone that is served on time - An environment that is comfortable - A plan that’s been fully thought through Weddings that feel seamless and joyful are ones that are thoughtfully planned, structured and managed. You don’t have to follow traditions or make decisions based on what everyone else wants, but don’t ignore the guest experience entirely in the process. Because no matter how beautiful something looks, people will always remember how it felt. BE HONEST: have you ever attended a wedding where it felt like guests were an afterthought?? 🫢 Cover photo @jennifermihalyiphotography