Venue
Book first: it sets your date and capacity. Get arrival/teardown times, approved-vendor rules, alcohol policy, and insurance requirements in writing.
Plan · Checklist · Vendors
Plan your event
Enter your event details once. We use them for your checklist and timeline, your vendor shortlist, and the separate budget check.
1. Plan your event · 2. Checklist · 3. Vendors · 4. Send your request · Budget & quotes
1. Plan your event
Fill this in once; it feeds your checklist, your budget check, and your vendor request. Planning tools run in your browser; nothing is sent to us unless you send your request in step 4.
2. Your checklist & timeline
Counted back from your event date using your details above.
3. Your vendors
Pick what you need, preview local matches, and read what to ask each vendor.
Quick vendor category guide
What to ask each type of vendor before you book. Always confirm licenses, insurance, and what's included in writing.
Catering
Ask what's included: service charge (often 18–22%), tax, gratuity, staff count, rentals, and setup/cleanup. Food trucks and taco carts need power, water, and space.
Photographer
Compare hours of coverage, number of edited photos, delivery time, and second-shooter options. Book 6–12 months out for weddings.
DJ / music
Confirm hours, sound and microphone for toasts, lighting, overtime rate, and power needs. Share must-play and do-not-play lists early.
Florist
Bring photos and a budget. Ask about delivery, setup and pickup times, and whether centerpieces or arches are rentals.
Cake & desserts
Order by guest count; ask about delivery, setup, cake-cutting fees at your venue, and allergy-friendly options.
Rentals
Tables, chairs, linens, tents, shade, and heaters. Confirm delivery windows, setup, and damage/cleaning fees. Shade matters in Central Valley summers.
Bartending
Use a licensed bartending service with liquor liability insurance. Ask about ID checks, RBS/LEAD-trained staff, and whether your venue needs a permit.
Restrooms
For home, park, ranch, or outdoor venues. Luxury restroom trailers feel like indoor bathrooms; portable units suit casual events. Ask about ADA units, hand-wash stations, attendants, level ground, truck access, power, and water. Book 2–4 months out.
Event security
Use only companies holding a California BSIS Private Patrol Operator license (verify at search.dca.ca.gov). Decide on door/bag check, parking/traffic, and crowd control; agree on written post orders.
Are you a local vendor? Join the Event Forager network.
Save, share, or print your plan
Print it, email it, save it to a file, or get a link to pick up where you left off.
4. Send your request
Last step. We send your details from steps 1 and 3 (name, email, phone, event type, date, start time, number of days, guests, budget range, location, needs, and must-haves). You'll see instant matches from our local list, then get a confirmed shortlist of 3–5 local options by email within 1 business day. Free for event hosts.