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The Compass — Italian wedding planning support
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A Planning Service by Italian Venues

The Compass

For couples doing an Italian wedding themselves — but not alone.

From €500 — no retainers One-shot deliverables — no ongoing fees Led by Lauren Portia Free discovery call

Why the Compass Exists

You Don't Need a Full Planner. You Need the Right Help at the Right Time.

Most couples planning an Italian wedding don't need someone managing every detail for 18 months. They need specific, expert help at specific moments — finding the right venue, building a supplier team, having someone on the ground on the day.

The Compass is three one-shot services, each designed for a different stage of planning. Buy one, two, or all three. No retainers. No percentage fees. Just clear deliverables from people who do this every day.

Three Services

One for Each Stage

Each service is standalone. Buy what you need, when you need it.

Service 01 · Pre-booking

Compass Venue

The venue match. We learn your brief, search 307 curated venues, and deliver your shortlist with a bespoke budget.

750

  • 45-minute milestone call with Lauren
  • Curated venue shortlist — 4–6 venues
  • Bespoke wedding budget for your top venue
  • Venue contract review — risks flagged
  • Introduction emails to your top venues
  • Delivered within 14 days

Best for

Couples just starting out who need to narrow Italy down.

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Service 02 · Pre-wedding

Compass Vendors

Your supplier dream team. We match you to photographers, florists, music, beauty and celebrants — and make the introductions directly.

500

  • 30-minute milestone call with Lauren
  • Curated supplier shortlist — 3–5 names across 5–6 categories
  • Direct introduction emails to your top picks
  • Sample contracts and questions to ask
  • Regional pricing benchmarks
  • Delivered within 10 days

Best for

Couples with their venue locked who need a supplier dream team.

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Service 03 · The day itself

Compass Day-of

A trusted Italian coordinator on the ground. They run your timeline, manage the suppliers, handle the small fires — so you don't.

1,000

  • Matched to a vetted coordinator from our network
  • Pre-wedding briefing call — 60 min
  • Day-before walkthrough at your venue
  • On-site coordination from set-up to last toast
  • Supplier check-ins and timeline running
  • Delivered on the day

Best for

Couples who've planned everything themselves but want someone on the ground when it matters.

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The Process

How It Works

01

Free Discovery Call

A no-obligation call to understand where you are in planning, what you need, and which Compass service fits.

02

Choose Your Service

Venue, Vendors, Day-of — or combine them. Pay a one-time fee, no percentages or retainers.

03

Your Milestone Call

We dive into your wedding details — your brief, your budget, your questions. This is where the work begins.

04

We Deliver

Your shortlist, introductions, or coordinator match — delivered within the stated timeframe. Clear, complete, actionable.

Is This You?

The Compass Is Built For Couples Who…

Are planning their Italian wedding from abroad and want expert help at specific stages

Need a curated venue shortlist — not a Google search through 300 options

Want vetted supplier recommendations with direct introductions, not just names

Need someone Italian-speaking on the ground on their wedding day

Don't want or need a full planner, but know they'd benefit from targeted support

Value clear deliverables and fixed fees over open-ended retainers

Need More?

Looking for Full Wedding Planning?

If you want someone to manage every detail from venue selection through to the last dance, Lauren works with a select number of couples each year through Lauren Portia Events — a dedicated full-service offering.

Full-Service Planning

Questions

Common Questions

How is this different from hiring a wedding planner?

A full planner manages everything — suppliers, logistics, coordination — and typically charges €5,000–€20,000+ or a percentage of your budget. The Compass gives you targeted expert help at specific stages, with clear deliverables and fixed fees. You stay in control; we deliver what you need, when you need it.

Can I buy more than one service?

Absolutely. Many couples buy Compass Venue first, then add Vendors once they've locked their venue, and Day-of as the wedding approaches. Each service stands alone, but they're designed to work together.

When should I book Compass Venue?

As early as possible — ideally 12–18 months before your wedding date. The best venues book 12+ months ahead, especially for peak season (May–October). We deliver within 14 days of your milestone call.

What regions do you cover?

All of Italy. Our strongest networks are in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Puglia, Rome, Umbria, and Sicily — but we have trusted contacts in every region.

Who is Lauren Portia?

Lauren is the founder of Italian Venues. She's personally visited hundreds of venues across Italy, built supplier relationships in every major region, and has coordinated weddings from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily. She leads every Compass milestone call personally.

Is the discovery call really free?

Completely free, no obligation. It's a 20-minute conversation to understand your situation and see if the Compass is the right fit. If it's not, we'll tell you honestly and point you in the right direction.

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Ready to Get Your Bearings?

Book a free discovery call. 20 minutes, no obligation — just an honest conversation about your wedding and which Compass service fits.

Book Your Free Call