Frequently Asked Questions
covering the basics
How do we know if you're the right planner for us?
Hiring a planner is the beginning of a long-term, personal relationship... and one that requires mutual compatibility. Planning a large-scale event means working closely together for up to 18 months (or more). Trust, connection, compatible personalities and work-styles are just a few of the essential ingredients imperative to the success of the planner/client relationship. To help you determine if we are the right planner for you, we invite you to check out our bios and instagram gallery to get a sense of who we are. Then, fill out our inquiry form and we'll schedule a FREE Discovery Call to begin the assessment to see if we're a match.
"Working with Alegria and the Gala Events & Weddings team was the best decision we could have made. It is with the absolute highest regard that I recommend Gala Events & Weddings for your next special occasion. They make magic." - Meghan Watts
How do we know if you're the right planner for us?
Our venue includes a planner/coordinator. Will we still need your services?
It's our experience that our services work hand-in-glove with the services provided by venue planners/coordinators, to ensure every detail of your vision is accounted for. In-house venue planners/coordinators primarily focus on venue-related set-up of their own tables, chairs, place-settings, and food and beverage service. They don't usually connect with your vendor team in advance of event day, set up your personal decorative installations, and build a comprehensive timeline that accounts for all of your outside service provider needs. Our planning services, will compliment the services your venue provides. We'll focus on the big picture of your event in its entirety, working collaboratively with your venue planner/coordinator and all of your vendors to ensure every detail comes together seamlessly.
Our venue includes a planner/coordinator. Will we still need your planning services?
Do you offer Day-Of Coordination?
We offer month + day-of services; we call this Event Management. This is the perfect package for those who wish to plan all the details of their celebration and then pass the baton so they can enjoy the party, rather than work it. We come aboard your celebration 4-6 weeks out from your event date to get familiar with your plans through a series of consultations and then we provide you up to 10 hours of event management on event day.
Do you offer Day-Of Coordination?
Do you work with LGBTQIA couples?
We love LOVE, and we absolutely support our LGBTQIA friends in their celebrations of LOVE. Inclusivity it one of our core values... and we take great pride in ensuring everyone feels welcome, safe, and included when they work with us. These values extend into our network of preferred vendors and service providers. We believe that in the business of LOVE there is no room for exclusivity, othering, let alone hate.
"My partner and I are SO HAPPY that we decided to hire Gala Events for our day of coordination. Alegria was such a blessing in our experience. I am getting teary even as I write this, thinking of her support. We are a queer couple who's wedding was postponed 2 years in a row. She was immediately responsive and loving about our concerns related to potential homophobia we might experience through our process. We never once felt othered or treated differently as a queer couple, something we are sensitive to. My spouse is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, and Alegria was immediately honoring and respectful. She joined us in grounded decision making, was thoughtful and informed, and really demonstrated so much care during the hard parts. And on our actual wedding day, which was so beautiful and perfect, Alegria joined us in our vision of a big community celebration. We could not have asked for better. Thank you, Gala Events!! xo Erin + Ames "
Do you work with LGTBQIA couples?
Where do you offer your services?
We are located in Eureka, CA and offer our services all over the Northern California Redwood Coast including Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Trinity County, and Mendocino. Sometimes, we even get up to the Southern Oregon Gold Coast. We are willing to travel, and have worked with couples throughout Northern California including Sonoma County, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Lake Tahoe. We love working in both familiar and new venues.
Where do you offer your services?
Do you work with clients from out-of-area?
We absolutely work with clients from out of the area. We can do most planning consultations over conference calls, Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime, and email. Living behind the redwood curtain, nearly half of our clients are from out of area. We are honored to serve as your local feet on the ground, and steer you in the right direction in sourcing the services and amenities you'll need and want for your celebration.
Do you work with clients from out-of-area?
What is your pricing?
Our pricing is based on many factors such as location, guest count, and the services we're providing. The services we offer accommodate a wide range of budgets from modest, intimate elopements to large-scale, over-the-top celebrations. As a point of reference, our Officiant Services start at $500, and Event Planning Packages start at $2750. Typically for events with a guest count of 100 we see our client budgets start at $15,000. We invite you to fill out our inquiry form and then we'll send you a link to schedule a FREE Discovery Call for a custom quote.