WHY DO I NEED PAPER HAT?

We bring the expertise of a planner, and all of the knowledge we’ve accumulated over countless events to help you make informed decisions when it comes to planning your own wedding. Through our organized, efficient, and approachable process, we have mastered the fine art of making a meticulously planned event feel spontaneous and effortless. By working with Paper Hat, we save you time and money for what you may have spent without our help.

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PLANNES?

We understand that a wedding is an investment in your memories. Our flat rates mean your prices don’t increase if your guest count increases, or you need 20 extra hours of planning. All of our services begin the day you book, no matter if you’re 1 year out, or 3 months out. We don’t wait until we get closer to start planning. We make sure you are set up for success no matter where you’re at in your planning journey. We then make a custom blueprint for where we go from there and help you execute it every step of the way.

WHY CAN’T YOU JUST SHOW UP ON THE DAY?

If we were to just show up on the day, we wouldn’t magically know what needs to go where, who is who, what your expectations are, or what the timeline is (speaking of which, who makes the timeline beforehand?) For us to do our job well, we need to come on board long before your wedding to get caught up to speed on everything that’s been done, assign all key players involved, confirm everything everyone is handling, make sure nothing is missing, and make a plan for the day.

YOU OFFER LEGAL SERVICES, HOW DOES A LAWYER HELP WITH OUR WEDDING PROCESS?

We want to make sure you feel confident in every part of the planning process, and that includes your contracts. Whether it’s a venue, caterer, florist, or other vendor, you’ll have multiple agreements you’ll need to sign, trusting those companies to provide you with those services they promised you on your day. We work exclusively with Crafted Law to offer legal services to review any contracts you may have, offer suggestions to lower cost, create requests to swap services, as well as make you aware of any requirements you may not have known to ask about. Contract review can end up saving you TONS of money in the long run, and can also help save you from any unexpected changes.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARTIAL PLANNING AND A FULL SERVICE WEDDING PLANNER?

Full-service wedding planners often specialize in longer-term projects, like managing your budget, selecting your venue, and attending vendor meetings. Partial Planning allows you the freedom to have your hand in the creative wedding process, while letting us execute all the planning for you. You have a vision and want to make the wedding your own, and can handle certain things yourself, but need a professional in the industry to help guide you through the process without the full-service price tag.

ONCE WE BOOK, HOW MUCH COMMUNICATION WILL WE HAVE?

Depending on which package you choose, you can have as much, or as little communication as you want! You can message us every day, or, if you feel you’ve got it covered, we can have a few planning meetings throughout. We’ll update your details, alter your timeline, review your vendors, and discuss any final arrangements. During this time we are happy to offer an insider’s views on your process, suggestions, and direction if requested. Just let us know what you need!

MY VENUE HAS A VENUE COORDINATOR, DO I NEED A WEDDING COORDINATOR AS WELL?

A Planner and Coordinator at Paper Hat works exclusively for YOU. A Venue Coordinator is in charge of your venue, and makes sure the location that is housing your event is functioning to serve your wedding. Lighting, heat, parking, kitchen for the caterers, all these things are under their care throughout your wedding day. We are in charge of assisting YOU months before you’re even onsite. We are in charge of tasks that venue coordinators are not. We finalize the details, design, coordinate and actually execute your vision that we’ve created with you. We not only manage vendors and set out personal touches, but we make sure the entire production of your wedding runs flawlessly and on schedule.

WHAT IF I JUST WANT YOU TO COME SET UP AND TEAR DOWN?

Even something seemingly simple as set up and tear down have a large number of moving parts that need to be coordinated. Our involvement is imperative ahead of time to know that your table amount is accurate, that your caterer providing your linens will be arriving before your florist in order for us to set up your reception tables, and a dozen other things that require us to contact the vendors involved ahead of time. We need to work with them, you and the timeline to make sure the logistics are confirmed and scheduled to run as planned.

WHAT IF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER OFFERS TO HELP ON THE DAY OF?

While friends and family seem like the easy choice with their willingness to help you set-up and run your wedding, your actual Wedding Coordinator will have discussed your vision prior to the day. They will then be able to provide you with professional resources and finally set everything up without any further direction, so you are able to enjoy the times leading up to, during, and after the big day WITH your friends and family. These people are your guests and should be enjoying your day with you, rather than feeling overwhelmed or unprepared for all that needs to be done. That’s our responsibility, so while you’re living in your moment, those closest can live it with you, (and not have to ask you a bunch of questions on the day!)

DO YOU DO WEDDINGS OUTSIDE OF GRAND RAPIDS?

Yes, yes & yes. We would love to be a part of your day, no matter the location. Additional travel-related expenses may apply. See our Services Page for more information.