We streamline the wedding planning process by serving as the central point of contact for all vendors, ensuring clarity, consistency, and efficiency at every stage. Our couples value having a trusted expert overseeing both the creative vision and the operational details, allowing them to remain present and enjoy the experience.
- Curating and managing best in class vendor teams aligned with your style and priorities
- Strategic budget guidance and allocation
- Timeline creation and logistics oversight
- Design direction and visual cohesion
- Seamless communication through our planning platform
what we do
Weddings by Susan Dunne is a full-service Southern California wedding planning and design studio specializing in refined, intentional celebrations for couples who value aesthetics, experience, and expert guidance. Based in Southern California and serving Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Palm Springs, and destination locations worldwide, we create weddings that feel effortless, elevated, and deeply personal. Our approach blends thoughtful planning, meticulous logistics, and a design process rooted in storytelling ensuring every decision supports both beauty and guest experience from the very beginning.
Our role includes:
Our Approach to Wedding Planning & Design
Our Approach to Wedding Planning & Design
We intentionally take on a limited number of weddings each year, allowing us to provide a highly personalized experience and an exceptional level of service. Our clients appreciate a calm, organized planning process paired with an elevated design sensibility rooted in fashion, style, and storytelling.
From the outset, we focus on understanding who you are—your lifestyle, values, cultural background, and what matters most—so your wedding feels authentic rather than formulaic. Every element is thoughtfully considered to ensure your celebration reflects you while offering guests a seamless, memorable experience.
Our Wedding Design Process
The design journey begins with gathering inspiration and insight into your personal style and story. Through questionnaires, conversations, and shared inspiration, we gain a deep understanding of your aesthetic preferences, lifestyle, and vision.
Our Wedding Planning Process
Attention turns to how the event will look, feel, and flow. Floral design, rentals, paper goods, and guest experience elements are thoughtfully selected to appeal to all the senses.
Wedding Planning Services
Weddings by Susan Dunne offers full-service wedding planning and design for couples seeking a highly curated, expertly managed experience. Our services are designed for clients who value thoughtful production, clear communication, and seamless execution across every phase of planning. We intentionally work with a limited number of events each year to ensure every wedding receives the attention, strategy, and expertise required for complex, high-end celebrations
Full-Service Wedding Planning & Design
Our full-service wedding planning and design offering provides comprehensive guidance from initial concept through wedding day execution. This service is ideal for couples planning large-scale, highly customized weddings who want an experienced professional overseeing every detail. From venue selection and vendor management to design development, logistics, timelines, and on-site production, our team manages all aspects of the planning process to ensure a cohesive and elevated experience for both our clients and their guests.
Destination & Long-Distance Wedding Planning
We offer full-service destination and long-distance wedding planning for couples hosting celebrations both within California and abroad. This service is designed for clients planning weddings away from home who require a trusted expert to manage vendor relationships, site visits, and complex logistics on their behalf. With experience producing weddings in California, France, Italy, and additional international destinations, we serve as an on-the-ground partner wherever your celebration takes place, ensuring every decision is strategic, seamless, and aligned with your overall vision.
Wedding Weekend & Additional Events
For couples hosting multi-day celebrations, we offer planning and production support for full wedding weekends and additional events. This may include engagement parties, welcome events, rehearsal dinners, farewell brunches, and post-wedding gatherings. Each event is thoughtfully designed to complement the overall wedding experience while maintaining continuity in style, flow, and guest experience across the entire weekend.
Phase I – Securing Your Vendor Team
Phase II – Aesthetic & Guest Experience
Phase III – Final Logistics & Execution
This phase focuses on booking your most in-demand vendors, beginning with the venue. Strategic vendor selection early in the process ensures availability and sets the foundation for all logistical planning.
In the final phase, all details are confirmed, timelines are finalized, and logistics are coordinated. On the wedding day, our team manages every aspect so the celebration unfolds effortlessly.
Inspiration & Discovery
Formal Design Proposal
Feedback, Refinement & Finalization
Using this information, we develop cohesive design concepts including color palettes, textures, floral direction, rentals, and decor. You will be presented with thoughtfully curated design proposals that reflect your vision while elevating it.
We refine the selected design through feedback and revisions, culminating in a final design plan broken down by ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. A detailed design sourcing guide ensures every element is executed seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions About our services
What areas do you serve in Southern California?
We serve clients throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Santa Ynez, Rancho Santa Fe, and private estates across the region. Our work often involves complex venues and private properties that require thoughtful planning, infrastructure, and experienced oversight. While Southern California is a core market, our planning approach is designed to scale seamlessly for destination celebrations as well.
How involved will we be in the design process
Design is a collaborative and guided experience. We lead the creative direction while inviting thoughtful input at each stage, ensuring decisions feel clear rather than overwhelming. Through curated concepts, detailed proposals, and refinement, clients remain involved without being burdened by logistics. The result is a design that feels personal, layered, and intentional executed with precision by the right team.
Do you work with specific vendors?
We curate an A-team of vendors for each event based on vision, scope, personality, and logistics. Rather than working from a static list, we thoughtfully match clients with professionals who align creatively and operationally. This approach ensures strong communication, mutual respect, and seamless collaboration resulting in a planning experience that feels cohesive and a celebration that feels truly one of a kind.
What level of investment is typical for your clients?
Our clients typically invest at a level that supports full-service planning, custom design, and elevated guest experience. While each celebration is unique, we work with couples who understand the value of professional guidance and thoughtful execution. This level of investment allows for flexibility, quality, and the ability to plan with intention rather than compromise. Most of our clients are budgeting for at least $2,000 per guest.
Do you plan destination weddings in France and Italy?
Yes. We plan destination weddings in France, Italy, and select international locations. Our role is to guide the full planning and design process from the client’s home base while collaborating with trusted local partners abroad. We manage communication, timelines, contracts, and creative direction to ensure the experience feels cohesive, elevated, and aligned with your vision regardless of geography.
How early should we begin planning?
For full-service planning, we recommend beginning 8 to 18 months in advance. This timeline allows for strategic vendor selection, refined design development, and a calm, well-paced planning experience. Estate weddings, destination celebrations, and multi-day events often benefit from additional lead time to ensure every detail is thoughtfully considered. We are not afraid of a planning a wedding in 30 days.
"My wife and I lived on opposite coasts, and Susan did everything in her power to make the planning and execution of the wedding absolutely exquisite. She brings a superb level of organization, seamlessness, and peace of mind to a day that could have otherwise been chaos with 230+ guests. With Susan coordinating, you can actually sit back and enjoy your wedding.. and did we ever!"
an outstanding job!
"Her and her team did a fantastic job coordinating our 230+ guest wedding. She is very detailed, organized, super sweet and bubbly! She truly helped us bring our ideas to life and made us feel calm throughout the whole process. Every single one of my vendors contacted me saying how wonderful she was to work with. Trust me, Susan is the real deal. Hire her immediately!!"
everything was seamless
"From the day we connected, we knew we were in good hands with our destination wedding. Susan is the epitome of the perfect wedding planner. Warm and friendly, great eye for detail, impeccable taste, can do attitude, and a boss lady. She made the whole process a breeze. Thank you so much Susan for being there for us every step of the way and making our wedding dreams come true."
the perfect planner
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social events
We sure love to plan, if you need assistance in planning a special party, look no further as we are your one-stop shop! We will guide you through your Event Theme, Design, and plan your special occasions.
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Elopements and Micro Weddings - Proposals – Engagement parties – Bridal showers – Rehearsal dinners – Anniversaries – Birthday parties – Baby showers – Bar/bat mitzvahs – Corporate events
See our work