Serendipity Event Group
Suite 105A
Long Beach, CA 90807
(map) Phone: 562-217-4001
Reviews for Serendipity Event Group
GUEST
Courtney was the best. Not only did she make sure all my request were handled in a timely manner but she also did it with ease. Made me wedding day awesome. Very informative and insightful. You can't go wrong with Serendipity.
GUEST
We hired Serendipity (Courtney) for our April wedding. I was totally against a wedding planner at first but things got a little crazy at work and I needed help. I hired Courtney for month of planning and I have to say, she was AMAZING. She was very fast in returning all our calls (even on a weekend at 8pm at night), she had tons of great ideas and she saved us a crap load of money when we booked the vendors she told us about.
My entire family was impressed (and that's not easy with my family) with how hard she worked the day of the wedding. She really went above and beyond to help us out and save us money. I can not recommend her enough. If you need a wedding planner that will actually SAVE you money, call her. She's great!
GUEST
I hired Courtney as my DOC for my wedding at the Villa in Pasadena. She was doing a walk through with another bride when I went there for my walk through. I watched her with the other bride and she seemed really friendly, easy going and really knew what she was talking about as far as design and setup ideas.
I had already interviewed 4 other wedding planners and still had not found one I clicked with. Before I left I asked her for her card and we exchanged numbers. She called me that same day in a matter of hours. We ended up getting together again that day back at the Villa (mind you the Villa is in Pasadena and she lives in Long beach). She drove all the back out to meet me at the location because she really wanted to get an idea of how I wanted things set up (and I had not even booked her yet). She really listened to what I wanted and offered some really creative idea. I hired her on the spot.
My wedding was still a couple of month out but Courtney was great in answering any questions I had and either her or her assistant always got back to me within a few hours. I was still missing a few vendors so I signed up for their virtual planning service and that was wonderful. I found the perfect photographer and didn't have to call a million people to get quotes plus they threw in 2 free 8x10 because we booked them through Serendipity.
The day of the wedding everything went perfect. Courtney took care of EVERYTHING. She made sure everything was set up just the way we wanted, she was friendly to all of my guest, answered all of their questions and really made sure we were taken care of. I always knew what was next because she kept me well informed and she kept us on schedule which was important since the Villa has a very strict curfew. We had a slight issue with the make up artist we booked trying to leave early but Courtney stepped in and handled the situation perfect and made sure she stuck to he contract.
Overall Courtney was great and I am happy I hired her. My sister also booked her for her June wedding.
Thank you so much, things went great tonight. I heard several of the groomsmen mention that they were impressed with you and usually guys don’t notice things like that! You are such a god send. Thank you.
What can we say other than - You are fabulous and Thank You! We enjoyed working with you and will forever be grateful for all you did to make our day so special. Thanks for everything.
I just wanted to say “thank you” to Courtney and everyone at Serendipity Events for the planning of our wedding. It was wonderful and most of all, enjoyable. Everything was beautiful and thanks to Courtney and her team, I never had to worry about things getting done. Thanks again.
We really appreciate all that you have done. Our day would not have been complete if you all had not participated in it. Courtney, I want you to know that you were the calmest and most patient planner that I could have asked for, You did an excellent job with everything. I did not have one worry, you handled everything professionally and accurately. I really appreciate that.
Courtney, I want to thank you for everything! For keeping Lauren together, the great job on her dress and just being there for us - you were great.
About Serendipity Event Group
Congratulations on your engagement!
Many of our past clients have often told us their wedding day was the happiest day of their life and something they will remember forever. Serendipity has been helping brides coordinate the wedding of their dreams for more than eight years and we
would be delighted to help you coordinate the wedding of YOUR dreams.
As a Serendipity Event Group client, you will enjoy unlimited professional advice and planning via phone and/or e-mail as well as access to our online virtual planning center that hold valuable planning solutions as well as the peace of mind in
knowing you have a team of trained professionals by your side on your wedding day to cary out your plans.
Serendipity Event Group is proud to deal exclusively in Day of Coordination
What is Day of Coordination?
Serendipity Event Group is proud to specialize exclusively in Day of Wedding Coordination.
Although we call this our "Our Day of Service", our services actually begin long before your wedding day (usually 2-3 months prior). Our Day of Coordination service is ideal for the bride and groom who have done most of their planning (i.e. found their venue, hired most of their vendors and signed their contracts.) and just need help tying up lose ends and having the comfort of knowing they will have a team of professionals on site on their wedding day to execute all of their plans and keep everyone on track.
What's Included In This Service?
Our Day of Coordination service include the following
- Up to 25 hours of wedding planning services
- 8-10 hours of onsite coordination on your wedding date
- Access to our virtual planning website (Guest, Gift and RSVP tracker, Wedding Website, Vendors etc)
- One Sr. Coordinator one Jr. Coordinator
- One venue site visit (up to two hours)
- Attendance at your wedding rehearsal should your ceremony site not offer a coordinator (up to two hours)*
- Development of a floor plan
- Development of your wedding day timeline
- Confirmation of all vendors (obtaining/reviewing contracts, answering questions and distributing timeline)
- Communication with venue and/or catering manger (reviewing BEO, submitting final numbers etc.)
- Setup of Reception decor (photos, gifts/guestbook tables, guest tables, chair covers*, linens*, candy tables etc)
- Organize grand entrance, cake cutting, first dance etc.
- Discounts on rentals and invitations.
This all sounds great...How much does it cost?
Every wedding is different some clients hit the ground running, others need a little more hand holding. It's hard for us to quote you an exact price without meeting with you one-on-one to discuss in detail what you need. With that said, we are able to give you pricing for our basic services (listed above) and a few of our most popular add one.
Pricing for our basic services (listed above) based on a wedding of 200 people or less taking place within Long Beach and surround areas is $800.00 bellow are a few additional add on's you may wish to consider.
- Additional hours (over the 10 included) $35 per hour
- Attendance at vendor meetings $75.00 each meeting (up to two hours each meeting)
- Additional Jr. Coordinators $125 each for up to 10 hours (may be required in some cases)
*Attendance at your wedding rehearsal is only included should your venue not offer an onsite wedding coordinator leading the rehearsal. Should your venue offer this services and you would like us in attendance as well, there is a flat fee of $125.00. This fee will include attendance at the wedding rehearsal as well as up to two on site at the ceremony on the day of your wedding.
*Setup on chair covers, sashes, linens, etc are only included if you are renting linens through kennedy couture linens. If you are providing your own linens our using another company, please arrange delivery and setup services through them.
Great...Sign me up!
FAQ for Serendipity Event Group
Serendipity is proud to be an exclusive "Day of Coordination" firm. Our services start 3-6 months prior to your wedding date. Once you have nailed down all our vendors, finalized your decor and laid out all your plans, our team comes in and insures those plans are carried out on your wedding date. We assist you with drafting wedding day timelines for the big day, setup up your decor, confirming arrival times for all your vendors, coordinating your rehearsal and most importantly, we take care off all the details (big and small) on your wedding day so your guest can be GUEST and you don't have to lift a finger!
Do you recommend specific wedding professionals?
Serendipity is a "Day of Coordination" firm so we don't "refer" vendors as many of our clients have already selected their vendors by the time they book us. We do however have a list of vendors we have worked with over the past years that are AMAZING and we adore them. With that said, we offer this list to all clients and allow them to make their decision on rather or not they choose to use a vendor on the list. We do not receive "kick backs" from these vendors. Many do however offer a special rate for our clients however this discount is ALWAYS passed on to you the client.
What if you become ill or cannot come to the wedding? Who will stand in for you?
Serendipity employees two full-time lead coordinators. In the event both of us become ill (which is very unlikely) we have a partnership with a sister event company who would step in on your wedding day. Each of our coordinators keep detailed notes so if this ever become an issue the next coordinator will have the information needed to be up to speed on your event
Are you present at all vendor meetings? Do you pay the vendor fees and we pay you one lump sum?
No, we are a "Day of Coordination" only firm, many of our clients have already selected their vendors and/or venue prior to booking our services so we do not attend vendor meetings. With that said, we are in constant contact with all of your vendors via phone the months leading up to your wedding. We speak with them while we are designing the timeline, confirming their arrival times and contract details etc. however other then phone communication, the only vendor we meet with prior to your wedding is usually your venue catering manager (if you have one) and this is done during your site visit while we are discussing floor plans and layouts. If you need assistance finding and/or booking vendors (in addition to the vendor/venue list we will provide) you might want to consider something other then "Day of Coordination".
How many hours are you on site the day of the wedding/event?
Our Coordinators are onsite for up to 10 hours on your wedding day. We are flexible with arrival times based on your needs however in general we have found it works best when we arrive 15 minutes before your first vendor and leave 10 hours after. This usually breaks down to arriving at 1pm and staying until 11pm.
Do you charge for an initial meeting? If so, is this amount credited should we hire you?
No, we never charge for a consultation for consultations that take place in our office. This is our time to get to know you and uncover your wedding vision. With that said, if you need one of our coordinators to come to you, we charge a $50 travel fee, however his is waved should you book our services.
Can you assist with travel plans for out of town guests? Our honeymoon plans?
We have a list of vendors we have worked with that specialize in travel, accommodations and honeymoons. We would be delighted to provide you with a list of these free vendors.
Do you charge hourly, a flat rate or a percentage of my overall budget?
Serendipity charges a flat rate for our services They are as follows:
Day of Coordination for 50-150 Guests $1,050.00
Day of Coordination for 151-250 Guest $1,300.00
Day of Coordination for 251-350 Guest $1,500.00
For events 25 miles outside of Long Beach, we charge $.45 mileage for each trip to your venue or ceremony location.
What makes you different from other local coordinators? Why should someone hire you?
As the former event manger for Our Lady of The Angles Cathedral in Los Angeles, Courtney has extensive knowledge and wedding/event experience. She believe in true customer service and going above and beyond for every client. Having been in the industry to 15 plus years Courtney has had years of experience coordinating events.
How many months in advance do I need to reserve your services for my wedding date
As we are a "Day of Coordination" firm we recommend booking our services 3-6 months prior to your wedding date. While we do book clients as early as 1 year before their wedding please know that your services will not start until 3-6 months before your wedding. We are unable to accept clients whose wedding are less then 2 months out.
What is your event cancellation policy?
In the case the bride needs to cancel we offer a full refund of your retainer (deposit) up to 48 hours after booing. After 48 hours, your retainer is non-refundable however it can be applied to a future event or as credit for linen rentals.
What is your customer satisfaction cancellation policy?
We check in with our clients every step of the way. If at any point you are unsatisfied with our services we will address the issue and and make what ever changes are necessary to maintain your satisfaction.
What are your standard payment terms?
We require a 50% despot at contract signing and the balance 14 days prior to your wedding date. We accept Checks, Credit Cards (3% process fee) and Cash. We are unable to accept paypal.
21 Easy ways to cut back wedding expenses
1. Do your research. Give yourself plenty of time to research wedding expenses in your area. Be aware of costs before you set a budget so that (a) your budget is realistic which aids you in not overspending and (b) helps you be a better bargain shopper.
2. Comparison shop. Take time to interview as many wedding vendors as you can. Ask about any specials or discounts they may have available. You'd be surprised at how much you can save simply by asking for discounts but always remember the lowest price is not always the best service. Compare prices with service and reputation before you make your final decision.
3. Avoid impulse buys and pressured purchases. Don't fall prey to pushy salespeople and don't make hasty purchases without evaluating how the item or service fits into your budget and overall wedding scheme. Even if you’re on a tight time schedule, give yourself a days cooling off period to really think about the purchase.
4. Be flexible. Your ability to save money is directly related to your ability to be flexible. Prioritize which things you are willing to negotiate and which are absolutes. For example, do you absolutely have to have a June wedding? Are willing to get married on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon to get a cheaper venue rental rate. Do you really need those expensive chair covers and sashes ?
5. Streamline your guest list. The more people you invite to your wedding, the more invitations, postage, favors, drinks, meals, table settings, etc., you”ll need. By eliminating only 5 - 10 people from your guest list, you”ll save significant amounts of money from the very beginning. Example, by cutting back 10 guests:
- 10 x $40 per person catering = $400
- 10 x $8.00 per person beverages = $80
- 10 x $4.00 for invite & postage = $40
- 1 x $45 for 1 table, 10 chair & linen rentals = $45
- 10 x $1.50 for favors = $15.00
Total Saved = $580.00
6. Buy a white bridesmaid’s dress - many bridesmaid designers offer their gowns in white or ivory. For around $250 or less you can find gorgeous gowns in a multitude of sizes and styles.
7. Shop around for the best alterations pricing - though your bridal salon may offer an alterations service, they may not offer the best deals.
8. The Internet is your pal - shop online for your gown. You may be surprised at the discounts online shops can give you.
9. Hire a wedding planner! While it might seem like an unnecessary expense or an expense you just can't afford keep in mind they are expert price and contract negotiators and can often get you steep discounts and freebies in addition to peace of mind on your big day (which in it's self can be priceless).
10. Skip the favors. While they’re a lovely way to give a little thanks to your guests, they're totally unnecessary. Few people will notice or care that they are missing and (Gasp!) most get thrown away.
11. Forgo buying special bride & groom toasting flutes. Simply use the same champagne flutes your guests use. Have the caterer tie a simple ribbon around the stem of each if you want to dress it up a bit.
12. Fancy ink pens for your guest book can be pricey. Simple, regular ink pens are just fine - and better guaranteed to work. And, really, no one cares what your pen looks like. (Put a few of them in a pretty container in case people walk away with them.
13. Take Advantage of Your Season. By using “in season” items, you save money by not buying harder-to-find items. This is especially true for flowers and food. Tulips, for example, are a spring crop and are cheaper from February through April. You can still get them in August, but you pay a premium price. The same is true for vegetables. If your heart is set for asparagus in December, you’ll generally pay more than you would in May, at the height of asparagus season.
14. Cut bar costs - Champagne toasts, wine with dinner and an open bar can ratchet up the reception costs. A champagne-punch fountain is considerably cheaper than glasses of champagne all around. Limiting the alcohol choices to beer and wine can also save money.
15. A DJ can be a less-expensive alternative to a band, which can cost $3000 to $10,000 for a Saturday night.
16. Transportation costs can be cut by renting a limousine for the bridal couple only and having the rest of the bridal party use their own cars.
17. Cut decorating costs by using candles instead of floral arrangements on the tables, but first check be sure to check with your venue to make sure candles are okay or if additional insurance is required.
18. Let your floral arrangements do double duty and move them from ceremony to reception instead of purchasing arrangements for both sites. Also have bridesmaids flowers do double duty by putting them in pretty vases on the head table.
19. Don’t assume you’ll save on wait staff if you choose stationary hors d’oeuvres like crudites and cheese and crackers. Talk with your caterer about cost differences between stationary and passed hors d’oeuvres, and more affordable ingredients.
20. Limit the number of attendants you have. This will reduce your flower bill (bridesmaid's bouquets can be very expensive), the number of attendant gifts that you’ll have to purchase, the of cost of the rehearsal dinner, transportation costs, etc.
21. Don’t get into debt for this day. Though you’re looking for ways to save money now, this will save you money for the rest of your married life. While using credit cards is a great idea for deposits, using them to pay for all of your expenses and not paying the total balance each month is the wrong way to begin your married life. If you put $25,000 on your credit card with the average 14 percent interest rate and only pay the minimum payment of 1.5 percent required each month, it will take you 100 years to pay it off!
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