Wedding Planning FAQs for Arizona & Destination Couples

What wedding planning services do you offer?
We provide a range of services designed to meet your needs, including Full Wedding Planning and Design, Partial Wedding Planning and Event Management Packages and consultation packages.

What are your business hours?
Our business hours are 10am - 5pm, Monday through Friday and you can schedule a meeting online easily at for a chat or we’re available to assist via email ( Care@SterlingWeddingsandEvents.com) or call at 480.234.1336. Please note: on event weeks/days our availability may change but be assured we will be in touch as our earliest opportunity.

How do you determine vendor recommendations?
We vet vendors based on reputation, quality, pricing transparency, and alignment with your aesthetic and values. We’ll provide you with a mix of trusted contacts and fresh talent that fit your vision.

Can we use our own vendors instead of your curated options?
Absolutely!— you can stick with vendors you already love, or use our curated suggestions. We’ll help you evaluate and compare options side by side. WE will always advocate for professional services providors vs. friends or family assisting with items like Photo, Video, Catering, and Bakery.

What if we don’t know where to begin with our budget?
No worries — our first step is to help you build a realistic budget structure. We’ll guide you through industry standards, priority-based allocation, and adjustments based on your vision.

Does the smart start package conflict with full or partial planning services later?
Not at all. It complements any of our broader packages. If you upgrade later, the Kickstart work becomes the foundation we build upon — no duplication.

What if I don't know what I want?

No problem, you'd be amazed at how often we hear this.  We really get down to your style and tastes to make sure the event screams you two.

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How do we get started?
Reach out to schedule your complimentary consultation. When you are ready to book, we’ll send a contract and invoice to reserve your date and get the process and portal started.
 

What is included in the Wedding Kickstart Package?

Our Kickstart Package helps you start planning your Arizona wedding with confidence. We’ll create a personalized wedding budget plan, curate a list of recommended wedding vendors that fit your style and priorities, and develop a custom wedding timeline so you can stay organized and stress-free from the very beginning.

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How many years of experience do you have as a wedding planner?

Sterling Weddings and Events has been planning weddings since 2003, serving couples across Arizona , California, New York and New Jersey and awarded Wedding Wire and The Knot's "BEST OF" for years as well as other awards in design and concept developement and execution and "Best Fundraising Event" by NACE.  With over a decade of experience and hundreds of weddings coordinated, we bring proven expertise, strong vendor relationships, and insider knowledge of what makes a celebration run smoothly.

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What venues do you serve?

We specialize in weddings throughout Sedona, Phoenix, and Scottsdale, and are proud to be a preferred partner at Agave of Sedona since 2017. That said, we have worked at a wide range of Arizona wedding venues — from rustic outdoor ranches in the Desert to luxury resorts like the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North, The Omni Montelucia Scottsdale, Arizona Biltmore, Mountain Shadows, Hotel Valley Ho, Andaz and Royal Palms— and we’re always excited to tailor our services to new locations, including destination weddings and home events.

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When is it too late to hire a wedding planner?

It’s never truly “too late” to hire a wedding planner! Even if your wedding is just a few weeks away, we can jump in to provide day-of coordination or last-minute planning support. However, the earlier you hire a planner, the more value you’ll receive from budgeting, vendor guidance, and timeline development. We recommend starting 9–12 months before your wedding date if possible.

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Why are wedding planners so expensive?

Wedding planners may seem costly, but you’re paying for much more than “one day of help.” A professional planner invests dozens of hours behind the scenes managing vendor communication, problem-solving, creating schedules, and coordinating details so you don’t have to. We also save you money by avoiding costly mistakes and recommending vendors who are the best fit for your budget and style. Think of it as an investment in peace of mind and a flawless celebration.

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How do you choose vendor recommendations?

We don’t just hand you a generic list and it's not about us. We carefully curate vendors based on style, budget fit, availability, and reputation. Our recommendations come from years of trusted relationships in the wedding industry, and we always prioritize vendors who align with your vision and values.

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Can we use our own vendors instead of your suggestions?

Absolutely! If you already have vendors in mind, we’ll help you evaluate contracts, compare options, and build them into your custom timeline — our role is to guide you, not to limit your choices.

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What if we don’t know where to start with our budget?

We’ll help you create a realistic, detailed wedding budget by walking through your priorities, guest count, and venue choices. From there, we’ll show you how to allocate funds wisely and adjust as needed.

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Do you only plan weddings in Sedona?

While Phoenix and Scottsdale weddings are our specialty, we also plan many celebrations in Sedona and across Arizona every year. Whether it’s Scottsdale, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sedona or another Arizona destination location, we’ll provide the same expert support.

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Do you plan other events like showers, birthdays or anniversary parties?​

We absolutely do.  Actually, our previous wedding Clients have hired us to plan events for them!

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Can  you help us with our destination wedding?

You want to say “I do” somewhere spectacular—whether it’s the red rocks of Sedona, a sleek rooftop in NYC, or a hidden gem in California. We love a good adventure, and we’re here to make sure the planning feels like a getaway, not a headache.

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What is a Full Planning and Design Client Experience with you like?

Our one and only goal is to help you plan your dream wedding, not ours, not your moms, not your sisters.  From Budget, Conceptualization and Execution you can expect the following:

 

The Deep Dive and Venue Visits:
Before we ever hit the road, we’re doing a deep dive—vetting venues and getting preliminary proposals to review PRIOR to a site.  When it’s time to visit in person, we handle the boring stuff so you can just walk into the space and see if it feels like you.

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We’re the Eyes and Ears:
During planning, you should be present and soaking it all in. We’re the ones in the background taking notes, negotiating costs, and proviing you full transparency on all details. 

 

The Guest Experience:
To us, great events are built on hospitality. We want your guests to feel seen and celebrated from the moment they arrive. We can help coordinate hotel blocks, local transportation, and those "welcome to the city" touches that make their trip unforgettable.

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Local Flair, Sterling Standards:
We love infusing the local culture into your day—whether it’s regional cuisine or a vendor who knows the hidden photo spots. We’ll build a trusted local team, but we stay your main point of contact. You get the authenticity of a destination wedding with the "grace under pressure" management you expect.

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Logistics? we've got them.
From the first rental delivery, the room set up, timeline to the final item picked up, we own the logistics. You focus on making memories; we’ll make every moment happen and execute with precision.