If you or someone you know are looking for a wedding planner. STOP!!!
You just found Events by Ari. You literally do not need to search any further. Let me tell you why:
My sister’s wedding. September 2018.
For many years, I was an event plann...er (weddings, corporate, and social) for independent companies and hotels/resorts. As a planner, I always told my clients that if they chose to forgo a full-service planner that they should at least get a day-of planner. When it came to my sister’s wedding, it was no exception. I did not want our families to spend the “big day” worrying about all the big and little details (and trust me there are more than you might think!). My sister and her now-husband are both engineers and have little-to-no spare time. I wanted to help them fulfill their DIY wedding visions, but also knew we needed to find a planner early…enter Events by Ari.
After reviewing several planners in the San Diego area, I realized Ari immediately stood out in several important ways, including:
(1) She is extremely RESPONSIVE by phone and email.
(2) She is COMPETITIVELY PRICED, especially for the highly desired San Diego area and considering how excellent she is at her job.
(3) She is THOUGHTFUL and PERSONABLE.
(4) She is appropriately THOROUGH in her communications.
Bride and groom met with Ari at their home (future wedding venue) and decided it was a good fit. She became their day-of planner which included pre-planning emails, a venue site visit, ceremony rehearsal, two onsite assistants on the day of, and general peace-of-mind that she and her team will be there to run the show.
Now for the actual wedding day….I AM PRETTY SURE IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT ARI, DYLAN, AND RICHARD. They literally saved the day with their calm presence and gentle helping hands. They truly went above and beyond. The wedding was highly DIY (from food & beverage to decor..even the dress was hand made by my mom!). While DIY makes for a beautiful and unique experience, it also means TONS of moving parts, last minute hiccups, fires to put out, and things to remember. The Events by Ari team was able to take charge and pull it together rather seamlessly, even as guests were arriving. We put the full reigns in their hands to make executive decisions where possible, and we couldn’t have been happier.
I would hire her again IN A HEARTBEAT. The only thing I would do differently is hire Ari as a full service planner, and not just a day of. I am sure we she would have really helped us polish plans for the day. I have planned or been involved in over 120 weddings in my career, and I can tell you it is a different story when it is your own family or your own wedding. A neutral third party to nudge everything in the right direction can MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Not to mention how helpful it is to tap her wealth of knowledge about the San Diego / Southern California region’s vendors, etc.
If you are still reading this lengthy review, know that she was well worth the time it took to write it. Book her now. You won’t regret it.
Lauren
Sister of the Bride / Planner