First Pick Planning Services

My husband and I hired Emma Seitz, from First Pick Planning, and she orchestrated the wedding of our DREAMS. I have no reservations recommending her work enthusiastically; you would be so lucky to have her plan your wedding! It’s amazing to me that she can be so on top of so many details – I honestly don’t think she forgot a single wedding-​related idea I ever mentioned – and yet always seem so relaxed, easy going, and funny. We both just loved her. If you’re asking yourself whether a professional coordinator or planner is worth the money – YES, for Emma and the First Pick Planning team, every penny and then some!!!
For starts, she gave us (multiple) referrals for just about every vendor we hired, and she saved us money at every possible turn. Emma found us the BEST photographers, the perfect florist for exactly what we wanted, an amazing caterer (our guests raved about the food!) and a brilliant baker who made us the cake we wanted for SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS less than anyone else had quoted us. Honestly, she made the planning process so easy, she helped us keep the whole thing well within our modest budget, and when the day-​of came, our wedding. was. perfect. Partly because I got to marry the love of my life and all that, but also because Emma is a magician.
We didn’t make it easy on her, either. Our (gorgeous) venue was entirely outdoors – no refrigeration, limited parking, very few electrical outlets, even. Emma made it work. On top of that, I wasn’t the most organized bride; Emma would send me the friendliest little guilt-​free nudges and reminders, to help me stay on top of things. She kept us moving along our planning-​timeline while being very understanding of our busy lives, and as often as you hear people say wedding planning is a nightmare, Emma made it easy and fun. We went pretty non-​traditional, too, and Emma was enthusiastically supportive of the decisions we made that were right for us, however unconventional. She’s clearly very knowledgeable about wedding history, customs, and traditions, which was helpful, but never put the slightest pressure on us to conform to anyone’s dream wedding but our own. She was great with all our parents, our family and bridal party all loved her, and we had the happiest day of our lives and didn’t have to worry about a thing because Emma was on it. A+, 5 stars, 10 out of 10. Happiest bride in the world. Hire Emma.

JEN IS THE BEST. Sorry for the yelling, but seriously, Jen is the best. Everyone always tells you that things will go wrong on your wedding day, and to expect that it won’t be perfect. Well, my wedding at Center for the Arts Eagle Rock was perfect, and that is completely thanks to Jen at First Pick Planning. She held our hands through every stressful moment of the planning process and through every blissful moment of the big day. Her vendor recommendations were so spot on, it’s like she was reading our minds. She seems to know everybody in the wedding biz, and can tell you who is amazing and who isn’t. Though we were on a budget, we felt like every dollar we spent was well spent.
My (now) husband and I were pretty clueless about how this whole wedding thing worked. We had questions like: Why do you need a DJ? How much does it cost to get 100 people tipsy? What else do you need to get married besides two people in love? Etc. She was endlessly patient and absolutely the best investment we made toward our mutual happiness and sanity.

While planning our wedding, I started to feel overwhelmed. I did NOT want my friends and family to be in charge of set up and breakdown on our big day. We booked Sarah for day of coordination. First Impression? We LOVED her! The first time we talked wedding, she was in the midst of planning her own out of state wedding and we were able to share our experiences. This connection made it easier to plan our wedding and her wedding hardly interfered with ours as we were still able to communicate. Since we were out of state, Sarah went above and beyond to help our day go smooth. Being booked as a day of coordinator, she went out of her way and drove from Long Beach to Temecula to meet me and my husband during our details meeting as it was the only time we were able to meet in person before our big day. She even volunteered to stop by my moms house to look over the décor. The day of our wedding went smooth. Sarah and her crew setup and we fallowed the schedule Sarah created. Everything seemed to be on time. We enjoyed the frequent check in’s she made while we were getting ready. My husband and groomsmen even enjoyed her company on our big day. They loved having her around, saying she was so nice and helpful. Our day had no hiccups (if there were any, I didn’t know about them). Sarah returned the next day before 10am to help pack all of the supplies. We honestly couldn’t have done it without her. I recommended her for our cousins wedding and they love her just as much! Besides her organization and communication skills, Sarah’s best quality is how nice and personable she was with everyone. My family and wedding party have raved about how great she is and still mention her when we reminisce about our wedding.

My husband, Paul and I were about 75% through with our wedding planning and prep believing that we would be okay without hiring a planner or coordinator. Looking back on our wedding day (as we do often, haha), we always discuss and talk about how it definitely wouldn’t have been what it was without our dearest, Sarah Bond (Wooley)!
Even though we went with only the day-​of coordinator package, it was as if we’d been friends with Sarah since forever! She was instant magic from the moment we met her. Lovely, friendly, honest, sweet, hard-​working, talked food and sports with Paul AND extremely detail-​oriented (which I am also) and this is when we clicked and knew that we had to book First Pick and to work with Sarah!
Working with Sarah did not feel like another wedding task; it was effortless and easy and like working with a friend! There are not enough good things to say about Sarah and all that she, Jen and Erin did to help bring our magical day to life! Fast and prompt emails, texts, calls, etc. Communication was never an issue. Our family and wedding guests and friends (until now) continue to commend our wedding day and how naturally thorough and organized it was. Some even said that it was the best wedding they had ever attended!
Our family and dearest friends loved meeting her and seeing her hard work behind the scenes. Compliments on Sarah still keep raving our way and we love it and bragging about her!
Our wedding was perfect to us. We had tons and tons of fun, felt so full of love and joy that day and did so without having to stress or worry about a single thing. This was important to Paul and I. Thanks to Sarah.
We firmly believe that Sarah was the best investment we made during our wedding planning journey and if we had to do it over again, we’d choose her over and over and over again! First Pick Planning is a first class team, so wonderful to coordinate/​work with and helped make the best day, our best day EVER! We strongly recommend them for any events and hope to work with them again soon in our future ;-)
THANK YOU SARAH!!!
–PAUL & MYRA GAVINI
JULY 4TH 2015 WEDDING

Loved working with Sarah as our wedding coordinator! She went above and beyond every step of the way and helped make our wedding spectacular. For instance, we had our wedding reception in a tavern at the Newhall Mansion where we were getting married and I didn’t really plan much in the realm of decoration. Sarah pieced together things we had at the mansion (an arrangement that was there for the centerpiece, some candles we had, etc) and made the table look amazing. It was nothing I asked her to do, she just went that extra step to make my event that much better (of course making sure it was all okay with me). I also felt that she handled and worked with my vendors exceptionally well. I had a vendor that was being a little difficult and she worked it out with them making sure we were able to get what we wanted without being stressed about it. Every time I thought of a possible snag or problem that might occur during the wedding, Sarah was way ahead of me and had it handled or already had contingency plans. I can’t recommend First Pick Planning enough!

We can’t say enough about First Pick. We had a destination wedding in Palm Springs and had the help of Ashley as our «day of» coordinator. She was so much more and we couldn’t imagine the wedding without her. Ashley is based in San Francisco and we didn’t meet in person until the day before the wedding. We instantly felt at ease after our first Skype meeting and she was so on top of everything through the whole process. Whenever we had even the littlest conflict with a vendor Ashley stepped in and helped things get resolved.
The weekend of the wedding we were able to stay calm and enjoy ourselves because we knew Ashley and her assistant Amy were going to take care of it. While Ashley was making sure everything was running smoothly, Amy was behind the scenes running everywhere and working so hard. My father in law has even told us numerous times how appreciative he was to have Ashley keeping him in the loop. It’s a real skill to get all of the bridal party, vendors, and guests where they need to go and still have everyone like you. These girls did it to perfection.
We seriously can’t thank them enough and would recommend them to anyone. True professionals.

Hiring Jen Bergmark with First Pick Planning was the best wedding decision that my husband and I made! If you’re going back and forth on whether or not you need a wedding planner, the answer is you DEFINITELY need one, and you need Jen. Jen was amazing from our first meeting with her, until the end of the wedding. She made everything go so smoothly, she and her team had fantastic energy and if anything did go wrong, we had no idea! Ashley was her assistant coordinator for our wedding, and we loved her just as much! I can’t say enough good things about this company, seriously hire them!

Jen is very professional and she still manages to be very fun. We trusted her right away — the initial meeting was very detailed but enjoyable. The only reason we were not able to use her is because a personal friend popped up and we had to go with her. Despite the personal friend connection, my fiancé and I deliberated for a few days! She is that impressive.

If you’re looking for personalized service with a woman who is not only a creative and adventurous entrepreneur but is an absolute joy to hang out and work with, you must hire First Pick Planning. From the very beginning when you first sit down for your initial meeting, you get the immediate impression that Jen has found her calling in life and she is passionate about her work. She strives to meet each client’s wants and needs, offers helpful advice on things large and small, and introduces you to other like minded vendors who can help you create a spectacular event. She is a warm, energetic, hard working individual with an infectious personality who will stop at nothing to make you happy. Her team is composed of lovely individuals who make a great impression on your guests, expressing that warmth and familiarity that Jen, their fearless leader, offers. I highly recommend her services whether you’re planning a wedding, party, or corporate event!

Having Jen and her team in charge of our day-​of coordination was hands down the best decision we made for our wedding. My first impression of Jen before we even met was very positive. She was so flexible and available for our first meeting. When we met, she got us even more excited for the wedding and I felt so relieved and assured that everything would be ok. Our wedding ended up being a do-​it-​yourself event and Jen was the best part of our team. She was so helpful and responsive to any questions during my planning and provided great vendor recommendations. She was familiar with our venue space, had an awesome relationship with our venue staff, and she had great chemistry with our caterer and rental crew– both by her recommendation. She was so enthusiastic and supportive of our experiential and aesthetic vision for our wedding. We met close to the day of to sort out the details and the schedule and she went above and beyond in giving us her time and attention. I don’t know how she juggles so many weddings at one time, but you would never know because you really feel like she is giving you her full attention and never forgets the details. Because of Jen and her crew, we didn’t have to worry about a single thing on the day of and we got married without a hitch. She never looked stressed even with the most complicated details, she was always on top of the schedule, she accommodated our preferences while also stepping in to give important guidance, she exuded constant positive energy, she was great with our families and guests, and she made us feel like we pulled off the best most beautiful wedding ever. She also made sure we ate and had a good time from beginning to end. And, she and her team looked like they were having a great time too which made us really happy. On top of that, some of the pics she took for us and of us were our favorite, even more than our photographer’s photos! Jen continues to hold a special place in our heart — just A+ all around, and she is made for this business!
So sorry for the way overdue review, Jen! You deserve every single star, and you and your team were unforgettable!

I had SO much fun on my wedding day and I can confidently say that it was in large part thanks to
Jen at First Pick Planning. I never thought I would be one to get a coordinator, but after deciding to do an at home wedding I thought that would be a good decision so that my family and I would be stress free that day. I chose the partial planning package so that Jen would be familiar with everything along the way. What I ended up getting was so much more than I expected. Jen spent HOURS with me and I’m sure went way beyond her contracted hours. She came with me to almost every vendor meeting, recommended AWESOME vendors, offered to do and put together so many things that other vendors would charge an arm and a leg for (she put together the flowers for a recent bride!!!), and more. She works tirelessly, always with a smile on her face, and consistently goes above and beyond. She would answer my emails at 2am after getting home from another wedding! If that’s not dedication I don’t know what is. She remembered the smallest of details (I can’t tell you how nice it is to have someone to remember everything for you, when you’re sleep deprived and stressed, it can be hard to keep track of all the details vendors are throwing at you), she helped out with things way beyond her job description (helping my dad figure out our lighting design and offering to assist with DIY projects), and so much more.
The day of the wedding, Jen was always there when I needed her. I honestly don’t know how she handled all that she did. She also put together all of the details I had planned and she executed it exactly as I envisioned and maybe even better! This included things such as a persian sofreh table and a smores bar. She even made sure all the other vendors did their job better.
Jen has the best personality and always made me feel so calm! By the end she felt more like a friend than anything else.
On top of it all, Jen has extremely competitive pricing. If anything she should charge more. Do yourself a favor and hire Jen. It’ll be the best money you will spend on your wedding.

Jen was just like Jennifer Lopez in the Wedding Planner except the whole stealing your groom part!
She was meticulous, professional and stylish. She went above and beyond everything we asked her to do. She even did things pre-​emptively without us even asking.
If you want someone to wake up at 6:30am to pick you up from Santa Monica and drive you to the Flower Mart at Downtown LA then choose Jen and her First Pick Planning team.
If you want someone to bring her own steamer to the hotel and steam your dress in the middle of making sure everything else goes right with your wedding, then choose Jen and her First Pick Planning team.
If you want someone you can trust to put together your decorations, boutineers and bouquets with little instruction, then call Jen and her First Pick Planning team.
If you can get your 2 ½ year old flower girl to smile, walk slowly and throw petals like she is supposed to, then hire Jen and her First Pick Planning team.
If you don’t want someone to read over contracts, suggest awesome vendors and try to save you money while still creating an event that looks like a million bucks, then don’t pick First Pick Planning. BUT, if you do want everything that I have mentioned then PICK Jen and her First Pick Planning team. No need to look elsewhere. Trust me!

Can’t recommend First Pick enough! Jen and her team were amazing and I was able to enjoy my wedding day completely! They dealt with all the vendor stuff, and I didn’t have to worry about a thing, even for my destination wedding in Vegas! She was always available for my questions and took my every request seriously. My only regret is not hiring Jen SOONER! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

best wedding planner ever… seriously. Such a great experience working with First Pick Planning at Union Station in DTLA on 9−6−14. As a fellow industry professional, I work with wedding coordinators often. Most coordinators are good at following the basics, but very few are great at going above and beyond to make an event flawless. Jen and her team did it with ease! What I loved most was the quick responses via email as she was always on top of every detail. That’s the sign of someone who does this professionally and passionately. I was more than impressed with her entire team as they made sure everything was nothing short of perfect. If you’re looking for a great wedding coordinator/​planner/​even designer, call Jen at First Pick Planning first… you’ll see!

If I could give Jen and her event coordinator team 10 stars, I would! Smart, efficient, and fashionable event planners seem to be lacking in San Francisco and I could not be happier to be working with First Pick. Jen and her team recently opened a San Francisco office to bring a piece of Los Angeles coordinator flare up north. It was immediately obviously that they bring a fresh and organized approach to their events and I absolutely loved their elegant-​yet-​fun launch party at The Stable in the Mission. First Pick is my first pick! Thanks for everything, Jen!!!

When it comes to working with a wedding planner, it can go either smooth or very rough. I have had experiences with both and working with Jen at last nights wedding was amazing. She was in constant communication with me to ensure that before i made any announcements as the M.C. that everyone was where they needed to be. She helped facilitate the timing of the formalities to ensure that the photographer got all their shots before having to go overtime which would have cost the client extra. From the first email to the final clean up Jen and her team were professional and very fun to work with. If you are looking for a wedding planner that truly cares about the success of your event you cannot go wrong with First Pick Planning. I cant wait for us to work together again.

Most amazing coordinator and team ever! She’s professional, fun, and gets things done early and efficiently! She helped me for my day-​of, but honestly, I felt like she was helping me months before then! Her and her team did the most amazing job keeping my extra-​large wedding flowing super smoothly! Absolutely love them!

I’m copying and pasting my review from weddingwire!
So you think you don’t need a planner? You are wrong! We hired Jen as our day-​of coordinator but she was so helpful even before we committed to hiring her. I really feel that she gave us 110%. Her personality makes her a great coordinator because you feel like you are working with a friend. My husband and I both felt so lucky to have found her and booked her early on. Plus she had a wedding the day after ours but I never felt like she wasn’t giving me her full attention on my wedding day. Every time I looked up she was within view ready to get me whatever I needed. Meet with her and you’ll see what I’m talkin’ about!

I met Jen at the Bride World Expo in July 2013. I’m getting married in June 2014 and went to primarily meet vendors. Her setup was so cute and she invited myself and mother to chat with her when we walked by. She gave me a brochure with package information and pricing. She clearly had nothing to hide. A lot of vendors wanted me to call at a later date for pricing. About a week later she emailed me stating she was coordinating a wedding in Santa Barbara which is close to my home in Ventura. She offered to meet with me over coffee or at my home on her way home back to LA the next day. It worked out perfect because her show special was contingent upon a consultation within a certain time period. Here is what I loved about her:
*She was able to answer all my questions with the «right» answers
*Competitive pricing
*the «day of» package included a lot of lead time working together. I feel my dollar goes further with her. Some other coordinators would charge for a «month of» for the same services.
*Her contract was the easiest read of all contracts I have had to read thus far.
*Timely follow up
*Not pushy
Thank you First Pick Planning Services!

Jen is such a gem. I met her at a wedding event and we clicked immediately — I remember leaving our first meeting feeling totally sure that she was the right choice. I was actually massively hungover when I met her at the event, but I still managed to like her enough to set up a meeting.
Boy was I right! She knows a ton of vendors and hooked us up with our caterer, who was an AMAZING cook with totally reasonable prices. I had only been to one wedding before I had to plan my own, so I had a ton of questions — who do I tip? when do I need to book a florist? who gets invited to the rehearsal? how many speeches? — she answered them all quickly and easily. She took great notes on things I didn’t think to write down.
She gave us a timeline early on with important tasks for us to complete. She even came over to help me stuff the invitations.
The best things about Jen are: 1. She is so fast. 2. She knows the BEST people. 3. She is a happy, helpful problem solver. Whatever has happened, she’ll quickly and cheerfully figure out the best response. When I was getting annoyed with a vendor’s communication, she quickly took over and everything was immediately solved and smoothed over. She was also honest. If I suggested something she didn’t think was a good idea, she’d say «I don’t think that would work out. Here’s why.»
My wedding was a huge success and I know it’s in large part thanks to her. THANK YOU JEN!