Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
 
We are based on lake Como and lake Lugano - Northern part of Italy and Italian part of Switzerland.
IN WHAT COUNTRIES/REGIONS DO YOU WORK?
 
We work all over Italy, Switzerland, France and Spain. Our team has many years’ experience in arranging events in different parts of these countries. So we are not restricted to the one option. 
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
 
Happy Moments Collector was established in 2012, but long before that our founder had been working with different famous brands in event industry.
HOW MANY EVENTS HAVE YOU PLANNED?
 
We have planned more than 250 beautiful events that we still keep in our hearts. We take limited number of events per season. We focus on quality over quantity.
DO YOU PROVIDE A FULL SERVICE PLANNING?
 
Yes, we provide event planning and management service from A to Z. More about service we provide can be found here
DO YOU PLAN ONLY WEDDINGS?
 
No, we often plan anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events, etc. 
DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH CELEBRITIES AND VIPs?
 
We are happy to have in our portfolio events and weddings planned for famous singers, actors, models, designers, influencers, politicians and others. Some of the events are confidential and we cannot share them with anyone, unfortunately. We are really grateful and honored to be among the trusted planners for the VIPs.
WHAT IS AN AVERAGE STARTING BUDGET FOR THE WEDDING IN ITALY?
 
The average starting budget for the wedding in Italy is from 60-65k EUR for around 30 guests. If you are planning more number of guests we recommend to keep in mind around 2k EUR per person. It will allow to host a beautiful wedding like the ones you can see in our Portfolio. 

For weddings from 80 guests, the proportion may vary and the budget can start from 80k EUR and higher.

The amount a lot depends on the chosen venue, on the final number of guests, on the entertainment and on the vision of the couple. There are some events in our portfolio with budgets of more than 500k.
IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE STARTING BUDGET IN THE VARIOUS PARTS OF ITALY OR IN THE OTHER COUNTRIES YOU WORK WITH?
 
Regarding Italy, there can be a difference between the same level venues on Lake Como and Tuscany, or on Amalfi Coast and Rome. Switzerland and France are higher in terms of the budgets and have their own nuances.
DO YOU HAVE ANY “ENTRANCE” BUDGET YOU WORK WITH?
 
No, we don’t have any entrance budget. What is important for us is that the planned budget is realistic for the number of guests and your vision, ideas within the selected region or country.
IS THE FIRST CONSULTATION FREE OF CHARGE?
 
Our initial consultation is free. This is a great chance for both of us to get to know each other and see if we are a good fit to work together. We are glad to organize a zoom call or any other call that is more comfortable for you.
ARE YOU READY TO ORGANIZE A WEDDING/AN EVENT IN THE VENUE IN WHICH YOU HAVEN’T WORKED YET?
 
We usually propose venues we know well and we have worked with. But we are always in search of the new locations and often travel to check the new places to be added to our huge base. If you choose a venue that is new for us, we will be happy to make a site inspection and share with your our expertise. There are lots of important points that need to be checked before signing the contract with location that usually couples/clients don’t pay attention to.
DO YOU OFFER ALSO COORDINATION ON A DAY ONLY OR SOME PARTIAL PLANNING INSTEAD OF A FULL PLANNING?
 
Unfortunately, we don’t offer only coordination service on the day or some partial planning. To manage the event and guarantee everything to be smooth, it is crucial to be in charge of the event planning from the very beginning, knowing all the details, all the little decisions were made, all the expectations of the couple and be sure that the chosen vendors are the trusted ones to avoid any surprises on the day of the event.
DO YOU PLAN SMALL WEDDINGS TOO?
 
We love intimate weddings! With a more intimate guest list, we can focus on creating a personal and unforgettable experience for you and your guests paying attention to lots of little details and creating a special program for all the days of stay, for example.
DO YOU SEND OVER SOME EXAMPLES OF THE POSSIBLE VENUES WITH THE INITIAL BUDGET SPLITS BEFORE SIGNING THE CONTRACT?
 
Usually we start working on the project after our contract is signed. Depending on the request we are happy to share some preliminary ideas on the venues and the budget before the signature of our contract.
 
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IF WE ARE READY TO HIRE YOUR AGENCY?
 
We start working on the project upon the signature of our contract and the first deposit payment.
WHAT IS YOUR PLANNING PROCESS?
 
We start with the venue search based on the region, budget and the clients’ preferences. After we decide on the location and fix the date, we proceed gradually with all the further steps like creating of the approximate budget split, design and concept development, choice of the main vendors, site inspection, tastings, technical timings, etc. Our main goal is to have everything done and decided on at least 3 months before the event. We have a special timeline we create individually for all of our Clients and keep an eye on the budget split as well.
DO YOU HAVE A FIXED SERVICE FEE OR DO YOU WORK ON THE PERCENTAGE DEPENDING ON THE BUDGET?
 
We are working based on the FIXED service fee. It is separate from the budget
you are planning to spend. We think that it is the most transparent and honest way to work. We have different packages depending on the number of guests, difficulty of the project and the number of events we need to organize.
DO YOU PUT THE BUDGET OF THE EVENT THROUGH THE AGENCY AND PAY TO THE VENDORS DIRECTLY?
 
You will have the direct contracts with all vendors. So that you can see the prices without any commissions or additions from the agency. This system is very transparent. It lets you see the real prices and all of the specifications directly. We think that it is very important for a client to know the vendors, direct costs and other details.

Plus to this we find it honest to avoid possible bank commissions while sending the payments to us and then us sending them to the vendors. So we work as your representatives, check and keep an eye on all the contracts and payments done.
WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR PLANNING SERVICES?
 
The payment is usually divided in three parts based on the planning process. Generally the system of 30/40/30% works the best. You make the 1st deposit of 30% upon the signature of the contract. Then you send the 2nd deposit of 40% around 7 months before the event. And the 3rd deposit of 30% should be sent 2 weeks before the event.
DO YOU CHARGE EXTRA FOR TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR TEAM?
 
It depends on a region. If the event venue is situated on Lake Como, we don’t charge any extras as we are based there. If we have to travel more than 2 hours from the Lake there can occur transfer/accommodation costs. When we travel to Southern Italy or France, travel and accommodation expenses are charged extra. We are always keeping costs reasonable and we communicate them before booking any accommodations or tickets.
HOW MANY EVENTS DO YOU PLAN PER YEAR?
 
Every year we take a limited number of weddings. As a rule each planner is in charge of maximum of 10 events per year.
HOW EARLY SHOULD WE START WEDDING PLANNING?
 
We recommend to start the process around 12-16 months prior to the wedding date in order to have some free dates in the venues. It also helps to avoid the situation when your favorite vendors are booked. Honestly we, more than once, have managed and planned fabulous weddings for celebrities and VIPs in less than two months. But it is better to stop yourself from being stressed making any decisions in the super fast way. And instead be calm and confident that your special day will be exactly the way you imagine it should be.
WILL YOU BE SUPERVISING MY WEDDING?
 
Sure! Your wedding planner(s) will manage your event along with other coordinators of our team.
HOW MANY TEAM MEMBERS WILL BE AT THE EVENT?
 
Usually at least two wedding planners will be from the setup till dismantle. Depending on the number of the guests, difficulty of the project and the type of the venue we can have more coordinators on the day. This point is decided beforehand and agreed with you. At some events 2 planners are enough, at others – there should be a team of 10 planners, coordinators and more. 
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU'RE SICK OR OTHERWISE UNABLE TO BE THERE ON THE DAY OF OUR WEDDING?
 
The other ones of our professional planners would take the lead. We are the excellent team. And we always bring our minds together to discuss the progress, design, and schedule of each one of our events. We are involved in all process of our agency and share the same working method.
DO I NEED TO TRAVEL TO MY WEDDING LOCATION BEFORE THE WEDDING?
 
We always encourage our couples to visit the chosen location – first of all, you deserve all the excitement, secondly, it helps you visualize the areas and the flow of the event, which is important for all the decision making that will follow.

At the same time, as we specialize in destination weddings and work a lot with international clients, we know the couples don't always have the opportunity to arrive. That is why we help to organize this process online. And there were many cases when our clients saw the venue for the first time on the day of the event and they were absolutely delighted. So we are professionals in arranging everything online! Even the tastings and site inspections!
ARE SITE INSPECTIONS COMPLIMENTARY?
 
Yes. All our packages include our presence on the site inspections. We find it very important to follow the client through the property and discuss different points all together. The only extras can occur if we need to travel.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE? DO YOU RECOMMEND COUPLES TAKE OUT THEIR OWN WEDDING INSURANCE POLICY?
 
We hold Public Liability Insurance covering any damage and injury caused by our staff. All the trusted suppliers we work with have the same individual insurance, but we would always recommend our couples to take out wedding insurance, so they are fully covered for all circumstances beyond their control, including a pandemic.
WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING AMID THE COVID PANDEMIC?
 
We suggest you to make sure that COVID and Cancellation clause are clearly stated in all your contracts with vendors. As planners we always keep an eye on these points in order to be sure that your deposits are protected in case of forced cancellation or postponement. It is important that only the trusted vendors are in charge of your event.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY FOR YOUR SERVICES?
 
We work with not refundable deposits. If you cancel your event, we must apply a charge up to 100% of the agreed planning package. The later the cancellation is the higher the charge will be. This is because most of the planning is completed well ahead of the event date - at least 3 months prior. The deposits you will be paying through the planning process are not refundable because the work is already done.
WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR GUEST NUMBERS CHANGE FROM THE INITIAL ESTIMATED NUMBER?
 
The most important thing is to go from the minimum guaranteed (that’s important for the catering and the price per person) and be sure that the venue can accommodate increased guest numbers. Usually the final number should be communicated to the catering service 2 weeks before the event. But, surely, the difference of more than 10% should be communicated as earlier as possible. 
WILL YOU HANDLE THE INVITATIONS? DO YOU HANDLE GUEST LIST COORDINATION AND RSVP MANAGEMENT?
 
We can offer this service at a separate rate, but we believe that communicating with guests and mailing them with a beautiful invitation is much more personal when done by the couple.
ARE YOU IN CHARGE OF CREATING A WEDDING WEBSITE FOR US?
 
We are glad to help our couples with the idea of a personalized website and can advise some tools and presets. If instead, you wish to design a personalized website, we can recommend some of our trusted partners that can create a special website design under our management.
DO YOU OFFER GUESTS’ CONCIERGE SERVICES?
 
We have a special manager dedicated for guests only if the Concierge package is taken. We assist with the booking of accommodations/flights for guests (room blocks in Hotels or B&B’s), transfer, restaurants, guided tours and etc.
ARE YOU FREE TO MEET UP OR TALK IN THE EVENING OR AT WEEKENDS?
 
Our planners are busy almost every weekend during high season, when supervising events. During the planning stages, we try to schedule calls Monday to Friday during working hours. At the same time we are also trying to do our best to schedule calls at different times as we work a lot with couples coming from USA or Australia and have a really great time difference. And of course we are always available for emergencies!
WHAT DOES SET YOU APART FROM OTHERS?
 
We are fully devoted to what we do as event planning is our vocation. We feel so lucky we have found something that brings so much love and happiness to us and have turn it to the daily work. Collect moments, not things – that is our moto and that’s why in each of the event we plan, we put all our hearts and soul. In addition to that we speak different languages and during our working experience have met different Clients from various countries with different traditions, mentality and background.




Reviewing our portfolio you will see that with our designs we are trying to enhance the natural beauty of the location, from the overall theme down to the smallest details, respecting natural backdrops and personality of the Client. So there is a perfect match – starting from the point how Save the Dates look like finishing with the décor of the wedding cake. 

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