Questions, Answered

The things couples and hosts ask us most often, written plainly.

How far in advance should we book?

For weddings, most couples reach out 10–14 months before their date. We accept a maximum of twelve weddings per calendar year, so peak Saturdays in June, July and September fill earliest. Private gatherings can often be planned in 8–12 weeks.

Do you travel beyond Seattle?

Yes. About a third of our work happens outside the city — Bainbridge Island, the Methow Valley, the San Juans, and the Oregon coast are frequent. Travel is quoted at cost, never marked up.

Is a deposit required to hold a date?

A 25% retainer reserves your date and is applied to your final balance. The remainder is invoiced across the engagement on a written schedule you approve at signing.

Can we hire you only for the wedding day?

We do not offer day-of-only coordination. A wedding that lands well on the day is almost always the result of months of preparation. Our partial planning engagement is the smallest wedding offering.

Do you take a commission from vendors?

No. We do not accept commissions, kickbacks or referral fees from any vendor. Our income comes only from our written planning fee, which keeps our recommendations honest.

Are you LGBTQ+ friendly?

Yes, openly and unreservedly. We have planned same-sex weddings since our first year and have long-standing relationships with vendors who do the same.

What happens if a vendor falls through?

Every booked event has a written contingency vendor list — the second-choice florist, caterer and rentals partner already briefed on your event. We have used it twice in twelve years.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. Past the initial retainer, we are happy to spread the remaining balance across monthly invoices. We do not charge interest.

Have a question we did not cover? Write to manager@nova-plan.com — we answer personally.