Looking for the best event planners in Hastings? These Hawke’s Bay planners take on wedding planning, on-the-day coordination, corporate functions, fundraisers and milestone parties, working with venues and suppliers across Hastings, Havelock North and Napier. If you need an event planner in Hastings who can run the day while you enjoy it, Society & Co. Events and Planit Events are both good places to start.
1Society & Co. Events
Society & Co. Events is a Hawke’s Bay event management business founded and led by planner Pippa Layton, working with clients across Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. It handles everything from full wedding planning and on-the-day coordination to corporate functions, gala dinners and charity fundraisers. A good fit for couples planning a winery or marquee wedding, and for businesses and community groups running a formal event.
Services
- Full-service wedding planning
- On-the-day wedding coordination
- Corporate event management
- Charity and fundraising events
- Private parties and milestone celebrations
Highlights
- Founder Pippa Layton brings more than three decades of experience across catering, wedding planning and event management
- Part of the team producing The Cocktail Party fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Hastings Karamu for the past six years
- Established relationships with Hawke’s Bay venues and local suppliers built over 12 years in the region
- Takes on events nationwide as well as in Hawke’s Bay
Location & Contact
Name: Society & Co. Events
Address: Hawke’s Bay
Phone: 027 418 7452
Website: societyandcoevents.co.nz
2Planit Events
Planit Events is a Hawke’s Bay owned and operated event management company founded by Rebecca (Bex) Tacon, planning corporate events, industry functions, private parties and weddings. The team plans everything from small, intimate gatherings to large-scale public events, drawing on a network of local contacts and event suppliers. It suits organisations running business events, and people living outside the region who need someone on the ground to manage Hawke’s Bay suppliers.
Services
- Business events and corporate functions
- Wedding planning
- Private events and parties
- Fundraising events
Highlights
- Sister business Planit Staff supplies event and hospitality staffing
- Covers events across Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne
- Offers a no-obligation first chat to talk through your event
Location & Contact
Name: Planit Events
Address: Hawke’s Bay
Phone: 021 149 0574
Website: planit.co.nz
3Story Events
Story Events is a wedding and events planning business run by Sarah, who is based in rural Hawke’s Bay after more than a decade working in the wedding and events industry. She plans weddings and elopements, private parties and corporate events such as conferences, team-building retreats and galas. A strong option for couples who want one person to manage the design and the supplier bookings, or just to run the day itself.
Services
- Full wedding management, from mood boards and colour palettes to florals, decor and invitations
- On-the-day wedding coordination
- Elopements
- Private parties and milestone celebrations
- Corporate events, conferences and team-building retreats
Highlights
- On-the-day package covers 12 hours, from ceremony set-up through to the after party
- More than ten years of experience in the wedding and events industry
- Works across Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū
- Initial planning chats in person over coffee or by Zoom
Location & Contact
Name: Story Events
Address: Hawke’s Bay
Phone: 027 335 8103
Website: storyevents.co.nz
Event Planners in Hastings at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Society & Co. Events | Founder Pippa Layton brings more than three decades of experience acr... |
| Planit Events | Sister business Planit Staff supplies event and hospitality staffing |
| Story Events | On-the-day package covers 12 hours, from ceremony set-up through to t... |
How to Choose the Right Event Planner in Hastings
- Match the planner to the event type: some planners focus mainly on weddings, while others are set up for conferences, industry functions and fundraisers with larger guest numbers.
- Decide how much help you need: full planning, partial planning and on-the-day coordination are different services at different price points, so ask exactly what each package includes.
- Ask about local supplier relationships: a planner who already works with Hawke’s Bay venues, caterers, florists and hire companies can secure bookings and solve problems faster.
- Check who is on site on the day: confirm how many hours the planner or coordinator will be present, and whether they stay through pack-down.
- Get the scope and costs in writing: a clear proposal covering fees, supplier payments, timelines and cancellation terms avoids surprises later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hastings Event Planners
What does an event planner do?
An event planner manages the planning and delivery of an event on your behalf. That can include finding a venue, booking caterers, florists, hire companies and entertainment, building the run sheet and budget, and coordinating everything on the day so the host can relax.
What is the difference between wedding planning and on-the-day coordination?
Full wedding planning starts months out and covers design, supplier selection, budgets and logistics. On-the-day coordination is for couples who have organised most of the wedding themselves and want a professional to take over in the final weeks, manage suppliers on the day and keep the timeline running.
How far ahead should I book a wedding planner in Hastings?
For a wedding in the busy summer and autumn season, it pays to approach a planner as soon as you have a rough date, ideally 12 months or more ahead. Popular Hawke’s Bay winery and garden venues book up early, and a planner can help secure the right one. On-the-day coordinators can often be booked with less notice.
Can an event planner organise a corporate function or conference?
Yes. Many event planners in Hawke’s Bay handle business events alongside weddings, including conferences, industry functions, team-building retreats, awards evenings and gala dinners. Ask about their experience with events of your size and whether they can manage speakers, audiovisual needs and staffing.
Do I need council permits for an event in Hastings?
Events held on public land, events that affect roads or events serving alcohol usually need approvals. Hastings District Council’s hosting an event page explains what is required, and events selling or supplying alcohol outside a licensed venue may need a special licence. An experienced planner can help you work through these applications.
Can I find an event planner near Havelock North or Napier?
Most event planners in Hawke’s Bay work across the whole region rather than from a shopfront, travelling to venues in Hastings, Havelock North, Napier and the surrounding wine country. Meetings are commonly held at the venue, over coffee or online, so where the planner lives matters less than their knowledge of local venues and suppliers.
How much does an event planner cost in Hawke’s Bay?
Pricing depends on the size of the event and how much the planner takes on. On-the-day coordination is usually the most affordable option, while full planning for a large wedding or corporate event costs more. Most planners quote each event individually after an initial consultation.
How We Chose the Best Event Planners in Hastings
Every business in this guide was found by searching for event planners in Hastings, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Hastings, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.