Planner - Jenna Carino
- Business: JCDesigns Weddings & Events
- Location: San Diego, California CA
- Experience: 15+ Years
- Profile: JCDesigns Weddings & Events
- Website: www.jcdweddings.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hi, I'm Jenna, Founder and Lead Planner of JCDesigns Weddings and Events. I'm an East Coast transplant with a love of sunshine and Southern California weather! My background is in production and stage design and for a while I worked on Broadway in New York City. I'm used to a fast paced environment, high stakes, and lots of pressure to make things perfect - and that is exactly what I love to do. I always enjoy getting to know you and figuring out just what “perfect wedding” means to you. Planning and coordination also offers me the opportunity to put my past experience with design to great use! There are so many design details- big, small, and everything in between- that your wedding is nothing short of a work of art.
I believe wedding planning should be fun and stress-free. Your engagement should be filled with celebrations of your love with family and friends—not worrying about your to-do list. That’s why we’ll be by your side every step of the way to make sure no detail gets missed, and no to-do goes undone!
My goal is to bring your vision to life on your wedding day by incorporating personal details and unique touches that showcase your love story and express who you are as a couple. My passion is creating and facilitating the perfect event, where everything looks stunning, runs smoothly, and my couple and their guests not only enjoy themselves to the fullest, but experience something truly special and memorable!
2. What's your experience as a wedding planner? How many weddings have you planned?
My experience as a wedding planner extends beyond weddings to larger productions and events for the past 15 years. Weddings are my true passion, and I help plan about 20 weddings per year. Because of my background in production, I know that a perfect event involves many people, which means that clear communication between the client and all the vendors is vital, which also means always being one step ahead and creative problem solving. My previous experience also extends to catering, bartending, floral work, and even being an electrician, so being able to speak the language of all your vendors is important because I know whea questions to ask them, and I know exactly what they need to create the perfect wedding day. I've worked with with a ton of big personalities and celebrities, in different countries and with people of different backgrounds, so I have a wide range of experience navigating tricky dynamics with ease, making sure everyone feels taken care of and everyone is heard.
3. What sorts of services do you offer (month-of coordination, full-service planning, or à la carte planning)?
I offer Design, Full Planning, Partial Planning, and Coordination packages. I also have a variety of add-on services which can be added to any package, and all my clients may use my decor inventory free of charge. I can also customize any package to fit your wedding planning needs!
4. How do payments work (a percentage of the wedding budget, a flat fee etc.)? What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
A retainer is due upon signing the contract to secure your date. Depending on the package you choose, the remaining balance will be split up throughout the planning process with the final balance due before the wedding day.
5. Who else is in your team and how many people on your staff will be at the wedding?
I will be leading every wedding with at least one assistant. If I am unable to attend any meetings for any reason, one of my colleagues who is also a certified wedding planner will fill in for me.
6. What happens if you're sick or otherwise unable to be there on the day of the wedding?
I always have a backup plan, and while this has never happened before *knock on wood,* it is in my contract that a professional, certified wedding planner will take my place and handle everything seamlessly on the day of the wedding.
7. How many meetings will you have with the couple and how will they be involved?
This is dependant on the level of support that the couple chooses. Before being hired, we offer a complimentary consultation, where we can get to know each other and you can ask all the wedding advice you want, completely free! Full planning has unlimited in person, zoom, or phone meetings from the moment we're hired up until the day of the weddings, including monthly check-ins. Partial planning has monthly check-in meetings and other meetings scheduled as necessary. Coordination typically has 3-4 meetings total. Regardless of the package, I always like to make sure my couples have a stress-free experience, so if that means more communication is needed, then I am flexible to arrange more check-ins.
8. Will you handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing? What about guest list coordination and RSVPs?
This is handled in my Full Planning & Design package, otherwise invitation and RSVP management is an add-on service.
9. Do you handle rentals? Will you coordinate delivery, arrival and set up times with the photographer, the florist, the musicians and the caterer/banquet manager?
Yes! No matter what package you choose, I will handle all rentals, delivery, arrival and set up times with all your vendors.
10. Can you create a timeline that tells everyone involved in the planning process (other pros, members of the wedding party, to-be-weds and families) what to do and when to do it? How will you make sure everyone sticks to the schedule?
Yes, Event Timelines are a part of every package as well and sent out to all vendors, with a final version sent out 1-2 weeks before the wedding day. This event timeline outlines all key events, arrival times, and setup details, including who is responsible for providing what.
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