Finding the best event planners in Blenheim means finding someone who can hold a wedding, conference or milestone celebration together from the first concept meeting through to pack-down. The planners below cover full event management, styling and design, and on-the-day coordination across Blenheim and the wider Marlborough region, with OnPoint Events working from Blenheim itself and Roam Events travelling across from Nelson.
1OnPoint Events
OnPoint Events is a professional event management service based in Marlborough, owned and run by Kathy Hughes. The team handles the full logistics of an event, from menu design and lighting through to sound checks and table settings, and works across conferences, weddings, corporate functions and private celebrations. It suits anyone who wants a single point of contact managing every supplier rather than juggling them personally.
Services
- Conference and business dinner management
- Wedding planning and coordination
- Corporate functions, gala dinners and brand launches
- Birthday celebrations and other special occasions
- Trade events, masquerade balls and bereavements
Highlights
- Over 30 years of experience working in the Marlborough region
- Owner-operated by Kathy Hughes, whose background spans the wine industry, marketing, tourism, design and hospitality
- Exclusive access to The Function Centre, a venue with five rooms suited to everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale functions
- Detailed function sheets prepared for every event, so clients can follow the plan from start to finish
- Not tied to any single venue, with established partnerships including Marlborough Lodge and Giesen
Location & Contact
Name: OnPoint Events
Address: 81 David Street, Blenheim
Phone: 027 281 6444
Website: onpointevents.nz
2Roam Events
Roam Events is a design-led styling and planning studio founded by wedding photographer Ana Galloway, based in Nelson and servicing the Marlborough and Tasman regions. The studio offers tiered styling packages alongside month-of planning with on-the-day coordination, and keeps a hire collection of furniture, linen and decor of its own. It suits couples who want the visual side of a Marlborough wedding designed and executed by one team.
Services
- Full styling and design packages, including concept development and vendor liaison
- Month-of planning with on-the-day coordination
- Set-up styling of client-supplied decor and hire items
- Wedding furniture, decor, lighting and linen hire
- One-off styling and planning consultations, in person or by video call
Highlights
- Founded and led by Ana Galloway, after more than a decade photographing weddings across New Zealand
- Online client portal covering budget tracking, floor plans, guest seating, vendor contacts and timeline creation
- Package inclusions and pricing published openly on the website rather than quoted on request
- Staffing set in advance against guest numbers, with a lead stylist plus assistants on site for set-up and pack-down
Location & Contact
Name: Roam Events
Address: Nelson, servicing Marlborough
Phone: 022 079 0550
Website: roamevents.co.nz
How to Choose the Right Event Planner in Blenheim
- Decide the level of help you need first: full planning, styling and design only, or on-the-day coordination are three different jobs at three different prices.
- Check the planner has run your type of event, since a vineyard wedding and a 200-seat conference call on very different skills.
- Ask about their Marlborough supplier network, as local relationships with caterers, venues, florists and hire companies are most of what you are paying for.
- Confirm what tools you get for tracking the plan, whether that is a function sheet, a run sheet or an online client portal.
- Get the fee structure and inclusions in writing, including travel or mileage if the planner is based outside Marlborough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blenheim Event Planners
What does an event planner in Blenheim actually do?
A planner takes responsibility for the parts of an event that would otherwise fall to you: budget, venue and supplier selection, design and styling, run sheets, guest logistics, and running the day itself. The scope varies by package, so it is worth agreeing early exactly which of those sit with the planner and which stay with you.
How much does an event planner cost in Marlborough?
Pricing depends on the level of service. On-the-day coordination is the cheapest entry point, styling packages sit above it, and full planning is usually a larger fixed fee or a percentage of the total budget. Some Marlborough planners publish their package prices on their websites, which makes comparison straightforward; others quote once they know the guest numbers and venue.
What is the difference between planning, styling and on-the-day coordination?
Planning covers the logistics: budget, timeline, suppliers and how the whole thing fits together. Styling covers how it looks, from colour palette and florals to table settings and signage. On-the-day coordination is the narrowest of the three, where someone runs the run sheet on the day so you are not fielding supplier calls in your wedding clothes. Many people buy one and add another.
How far in advance should I book a planner?
For full planning, around twelve months ahead is normal, and longer if you are marrying over a Marlborough summer weekend when venues and suppliers book out early. Coordination-only packages can often be arranged a few months out. Both are worth enquiring about as soon as your date is fixed, since planners take a limited number of events per season.
Do Blenheim planners handle corporate events as well as weddings?
Yes. Conferences, gala dinners, brand launches, trade events and staff functions are all standard work for Marlborough event managers, and some do more corporate work than weddings. Check that the planner has handled your guest numbers and format before, particularly for anything involving staging, catering for large groups or a multi-day programme.
Do I still need a planner if my venue has a coordinator?
A venue coordinator looks after the venue’s side, such as room set-up, staffing and service timings. A planner works for you across every supplier and the whole event, including everything that happens off-site or before the day. For a straightforward function at a full-service venue, the venue coordinator may be enough, but larger or multi-supplier events usually benefit from both.
Do I need a permit or licence for an event in Marlborough?
It depends on where the event is held and what is being served. Events on council land, road closures, temporary structures and the sale or supply of alcohol generally require approval, and the timeframes for applications can be several weeks. The Marlborough District Council is the place to check before you lock in a date, and an experienced local planner will usually handle the paperwork for you.
What should be in the contract with an event planner?
The written agreement should set out the exact inclusions, the number of hours or staff covered, deposit and final payment dates, what happens if the event is postponed or cancelled, and how any extra work is charged. Consumer NZ has general guidance on service contracts and deposits that is worth reading before you sign anything with a large non-refundable component.