Step 1 of 3
What is the one number you will not cross?
Say it to the family before any vendor hears it. Confirmed money only — promises are not funds.
Nothing to answer to yet
Every decision here should serve a decision you have not made yet. Create the experience first.
Turn the vision into a real ceiling, real owners, a real timeline and protected contingency.
Output: Foundation Plan
You are ready to move forward when: One ceiling · one financial owner · one decision-maker · one contingency · one timeline.
What experienced planners know here
“Families do not fall out over the money. They fall out over the missing receipt.”
From the Playbook
Three honest numbers
Said · Committed · Paid
a verbal yes to a caterer is already a commitment
Hidden costs
12–20%
service charge, corkage, overtime, generator, vendor meals, cake cutting