Wedding Planning FAQs

Our wedding services include the Essentials and Enhanced Collections, the Planning Partner, and the Full Experience. Essentials is final-phase wedding management for couples who have led their own planning; Enhanced adds planning resources and structured guidance while you remain the decision-maker. Planning Partner shares the planning work, and Full Experience puts us in charge of the planning system and production. We also offer full-service Elopement Planning for up to 10 guests, Micro Wedding Planning for 11–25, and Intimate Wedding Planning for 26–50. Original Event Design is separately contracted. Virtual planning and the Planning + Design Intensive provide different kinds of remote support.

Start with how much responsibility you want to retain. Coordination is best when your vendors and major decisions are already in place. Planning Partner is designed for couples who want to stay involved with consistent strategy, accountability, and guidance. Full Experience is for couples who want Danielle overseeing the complete planning process and wedding-day production. We will confirm the best fit after learning about your event, priorities, and progress.

Essentials helps turn the decisions you’ve made into a workable plan, with layout and practical design review, final vendor preparation, and wedding-day leadership. Enhanced adds ongoing planning guidance and dedicated design direction. Planning Partner shares more of the planning work with you, while Full Experience manages the planning process from the beginning. Original Event Design is a separate scope. We’ll help you choose the level that fits the support you want.

The Planning + Design Intensive is $350 for a private 90-minute virtual strategy session. We review your submitted questions and relevant materials in advance, work through the planning, design, vendor, or logistical decisions you choose, and send a concise written action summary. Vendor contact, research, document creation, implementation, and ongoing support require a separate scope.

The Essentials Collection begins at $4,750, Enhanced at $6,500, and Planning Partner at $9,500. Elopement Planning begins at $8,500 for up to 10 guests; Micro Wedding Planning at $12,500 for 11–25; and Intimate Wedding Planning at $17,500 for 26–50. Event Design begins at $8,250 as a separate service, and the 90-minute Planning + Design Intensive is $350. Full Experience and Virtual Planning are quoted by custom proposal. Your venue, location, guest count, staffing, travel, and production needs determine the final scope and fee.

Most of our clients reserve their date approximately 12 months in advance, particularly for peak-season Saturdays. We accept a limited number of events each year, so earlier inquiries provide the best opportunity to secure your preferred date. Availability varies, and we occasionally accommodate weddings on a shorter timeline.

Your date is officially reserved once your agreement has been signed and the non-refundable retainer specified in your proposal has been paid. Retainer and payment schedules vary by service, with the remaining investment divided into scheduled payments leading up to the event.

For events more than 60 miles from Grand Rapids, mileage, accommodations, overnight coverage, and per diem may apply depending on your location and service scope. Any anticipated travel costs will be outlined in your proposal before you book.

Danielle is involved in every celebration, guiding the planning and supporting the team. She may lead your wedding day herself, or another experienced planner may take the lead. After booking, we get to know you and your plans before matching you with the right wedding-day lead later in the process. Your proposal outlines the planning support and event-day coverage included.

You will receive a structured onboarding experience, access to the appropriate planning resources, and clear next steps based on your package. Coordination clients receive an early foundation session and then move into the active coordination phase closer to the wedding. Partial and full-planning clients begin an ongoing planning rhythm tailored to their timeline.

In many cases, yes. We’re happy to collaborate with professionals you have already selected, provided they are properly insured, responsive, and able to meet the logistical and service requirements of your event. We will identify any concerns that could affect the guest experience or successful execution of the plans. If a vendor cannot meet the necessary professional standards, we may recommend an alternative or clarify which responsibilities fall outside our control.

Yes. Every planning collection includes the functional layout and design review needed to make the plan work. Enhanced adds a Design Direction + Cohesion review; Planning Partner adds design-direction guidance; Full Experience includes aesthetic coordination. An original creative concept, a complete space-by-space Design Plan, active design-vendor sourcing and management, and onsite design-production direction belong to Event Design, which is separately contracted.

Email is our primary method of communication so decisions, details, and approvals remain organized and accessible throughout the planning process. Scheduled meetings are used for more involved conversations and decision-making. Text messaging is reserved for urgent or time-sensitive communication during the event weekend and is not used for ongoing planning.

Wedding-day staffing is determined by your package, guest count, venue layout, setup requirements, and overall complexity. Danielle remains the lead planner and directs the planning and execution strategy, while trained Futtitinni Events team members may provide portions of the on-site coverage. Tented events, private properties, multiple locations, or extensive setup may require additional team members. Your proposal and final staffing plan will clearly outline the coverage included.

Yes. We create a comprehensive master timeline, confirm the final logistics with your vendors, and distribute the appropriate details to the professional team. The goal is one clear operational plan so vendors, the wedding party, and key family members understand where they need to be and when.

Coordination packages include setup and end-of-night organization for a reasonable amount of client-provided décor and personal items. Large installations, extensive DIY production, floral work, rental installation, room flips, or full venue strike may require additional staffing or a separate professional vendor. We review the complete setup scope in advance so responsibility is clear.

We assess the situation, communicate with the appropriate vendors, and make the most responsible decision available within the agreed plan, budget, and authority. Our role is to anticipate likely pressure points, prepare contingency plans when needed, and keep problems from becoming the center of your experience.

No. Recommendations are made based on your priorities, budget, location, and the needs of your event. You are never required to hire from a predetermined list, although we may advise against a vendor when there are concerns about reliability, experience, or fit.

We intentionally accept a limited number of weddings each year so every client receives focused, thoughtful support. Before booking, we consider availability, scope, expectations, and whether our working styles are a strong fit.

Each proposal outlines the exact services and coverage included. Unless specifically added, planning services generally do not include physical installation requiring specialized labor, floral production, catering duties, transportation of unusually large quantities of personal décor, or responsibilities assigned to another contracted vendor.

Yes, when availability allows. Additional planning support, event staffing, rehearsal coordination, extended coverage, and select concierge services may be added as your plans develop. Added services are confirmed through a written agreement and additional payment.

Yes. Futtitinni Events plans celebrations throughout Michigan and may travel beyond the state for select events. Events more than 60 miles from Grand Rapids may require mileage, accommodations, or other travel expenses. We will outline any anticipated costs in your proposal before booking.