You have been to the website. Scrolled through the portfolio. Read the testimonials.
Something feels right.
But there is a question sitting at the back of your mind — the one that every couple, every corporate client, every person who has never hired an event planner before quietly asks:
What actually happens after I say yes?
This is the honest, step-by-step answer. No jargon. No sales pitch. Just a clear walk-through of what working with Aura looks like from the first conversation to the last song of the night.
It starts with a conversation. Not a sales pitch. Not a menu of packages. A genuine conversation about what you are imagining, what matters to you, and what your celebration is really about. Whether you are planning a luxury wedding in Kenya, a destination event across East Africa, or a private milestone celebration, this call follows the same shape.
You will be asked: What is the feeling you want your guests to carry home? What moments matter most to you? What are your non-negotiables? What are you worried about? By the end of the call, you should feel understood — not sold to.
✦ Insider Tip You do not need to have answers to every question on the first call. Many clients come in with a feeling and a Pinterest board. That is more than enough. Clarity is what the planning process builds. |
The proposal is tailored to your specific celebration. It outlines the scope of services, the planning timeline, the team assigned to your event, and the investment required. There are no hidden fees. Once you sign, onboarding begins — a detailed questionnaire, a shared planning document for real-time collaboration, and your first formal planning session.
Your planner takes everything from the discovery call and onboarding and translates it into a visual design concept. Mood boards. Colour palettes. Spatial layouts. Floral direction. Lighting mood. Tablescaping style. The design presentation is a moment many clients describe as the first time their wedding ‘felt real.’ Nothing is locked until you feel it.
Aura does not hand you a list and wish you luck. Your planner shortlists vendors for every category — photographer, caterer, florist, entertainment, AV, transport — based on your specific brief, budget, and aesthetic. You meet the finalists. You choose. Your planner handles contracts, coordinates timelines, and manages communication between every vendor.
✦ Insider Tip Ask your planner which vendors they would book for their own wedding. The answer tells you more than any portfolio review. |
Every Aura event operates from a master run sheet that maps every minute of every day — when tastings happen, when final design elements need confirming, when the rehearsal takes place. For multi-day celebrations, it becomes a production document coordinating dozens of moving parts. You receive a simplified version. Your vendors receive the detailed operational one.
Your planner conducts one or more site visits before the event — operational assessments confirming load-in access, power supply, lighting positions, ceremony sightlines, and weather contingency logistics. For weddings, a rehearsal is strongly recommended. Walking the ceremony sequence and testing the audio prevents the small stumbles that can interrupt a sacred moment.
You wake up. Your phone stays in the bridal suite. Every question from every vendor goes to your planning team. The florist arrives early and knows exactly where every arrangement goes. The caterer has been briefed on dietary requirements. The photographer has a shot list.
When the rain arrives 40 minutes before your outdoor ceremony, the backup plan executes while you finish your makeup. When your uncle’s speech runs long, the timeline adjusts invisibly. You never know it happened.
“You ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing us to fully enjoy our celebration without any worries. Aura exceeded our expectations.” — Lamia
Aura manages the breakdown, vendor settlements, and post-event logistics. Within a week, you receive a post-event summary: what went beautifully, what was adjusted in real time, and what could be improved for future events.
Luxury weddings: 9–18 months from first call to wedding day. Twelve months is the sweet spot.
Corporate events: 3–6 months for standard events. 6–12 months for large-scale conferences or multi-day programmes.
Private events: 4–12 weeks for milestone celebrations, depending on scale and venue availability.
Destination weddings across East Africa typically require the longest lead time, due to cross-border logistics, venue exclusivity calendars, and guest travel coordination.
Q: What should I prepare before the first call?
Nothing formal. A rough guest count, a general budget range, and any images that capture the feeling you want. Come as you are.
Q: How involved do I need to be throughout the process?
As involved as you want. Some clients attend every tasting and vendor meeting. Others check in monthly and trust the process. Your planner adapts.
Q: What if my budget changes mid-planning?
It happens. Your planner re-engineers the plan. The goal is always to protect the moments that matter most to you.
Q: Do you plan events outside Kenya?
Yes. Aura plans weddings and events across East Africa — Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique. For clients coming from overseas or managing international guests, the destination wedding enquiry guide covers what happens after first contact.
You will be heard. You will be guided. And on the day itself, you will be free.
Free to laugh without checking the timeline. Free to cry without worrying about the caterer. Free to dance without wondering whether the DJ knows the next song. That is what a great planning process delivers — not just an event, but the experience of being completely, beautifully present for it.
→ Ready to start? Tell Aura what you’re imagining. The first conversation is free.
Explore Aura’s services: luxury weddings · destination weddings · corporate events · private events · little celebrations · about Aura