Dabney's Designs (Elevated Events)


Service levels: Full-service planning

Team size: 1 – 6


About Dabney's Designs (Elevated Events)

Dabney's Designs (Elevated Events)

Creative Director

A Southern Belle at heart — fueled by sweet tea and the undeniable pull of a good dance party. My background in design, paired with my original career as a Certified Public Accountant is truly is the perfect marriage of left and right brain. I deeply value the relationships we build with each of our couples which allow us to recognize and incorporate the tiny touches that are meaningful into your wedding day — going far beyond trends. Honest communication, hard work, kindness, respect, and a little dab of Southern charm result in celebrations that feel effortless in the moment and leave lasting impressions for a lifetime.

Founded on the belief that the best events are an expression of you. Your story, thoughtfully interpreted. Your vision, intentionally designed. Your celebration, produced with elegance, refinement, and sophistication. Equally fluent in planning and design, we understand the importance of cohesion and we pride ourselves on creating a planning experience that feels both personal and seamless — one where no detail is overlooked, every decision is intentional, and you’re free to be fully present for the moments that matter most.

In three words: Creative, Organized, Reassuring

Best of Zola 2025
Best of Zola 2024

Services by planning level

Service included in starting price
Service available for an extra cost
Full-service planningElopement / microweddingPartial planning
Description

For discerning couples seeking a curated journey — from the first decadent design concept to a flawless finish — our Full Planning experience offers thoughtful expert guidance, elevated aesthetics, intentional decision-making, unwavering attention to detail, and collaboration with high-caliber vendors to meticulously execute a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Designed for couples planning an intimate celebration of fewer than 50 guests, our Mini-mony experience offers the same trusted, high-touch full planning services — thoughtfully scaled to suit a more exclusive gathering. We guide you through every step, crafting a refined and meaningful celebration that you and your guests will remember long after the final toast.

Offered in an à la carte format, Partial Planning allows you to choose which aspects of the planning process you’d like to manage independently and which you’d prefer expert support with.

Planning begins12 Months out9 Months out
Event Styling & Design
Budget Planning
Venue Recommendations
Vendor Selection
Vendor Management
Contract Review
Rentals & Linens
Invites & Stationery
RSVP Tracking
Wedding Website
Wedding Favors & Accessories
Venue Visits
Final Venue Walkthrough
Timeline Creation & Management
Onsite Event Management
Accommodation Coordination
Transportation Coordination
PricingStarts at $14,500Starts at $6,500Starts at $8,500

Reviews

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5.0 out of 5

16 reviews

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  • Loved her!

    Verified review
    Abby R.Jun 14, 2025

    Dabney was so helpful and truly couldn’t imagine the day without her. She is extremely helpful when it comes to design and layouts. Shes goes above and beyond to make your day how you want! I’d definitely recommend!

    Response from vendorJun 15, 2025
    Hi Abby & Jack, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Going above and beyond for my couples is always my goal, and I’m so grateful you felt cared for throughout the process. I especially loved finding a way to incorporate Boone into your big day—which added so much personality and warmth to your celebration! Thank you for recommending me, and wishing you both (and Boone!) a lifetime of love and happiness!
  • Dabney is everything you hope for in a planner!

    Verified review
    Todd G.Jun 12, 2025

    If I were getting married today, there’s no question who I would want by our side helping bring our vision to life. Dabney has this incredible ability to make everyone feel seen, supported, and completely at ease while keeping every moving piece flowing beautifully behind the scenes. Of all the incredible qualities Dabney brings to the table, the one that stands out most is her heart. She’s constantly going above and beyond, not just for her clients, but for the entire vendor team. She truly understands the power of a strong team and how much that elevates the experience for everyone involved, especially the couple. That kind of care and thoughtfulness makes every wedding with her feel like something truly special. I feel so lucky to know her and even luckier to work alongside her. She brings out the best in everyone around her and creates a space where people can truly thrive. I am so incredibly thankful to have her as a colleague in this industry, but even more thankful to call her a friend.

    Response from vendorJun 17, 2025
    Todd, your words mean more than you know. You’ve captured not just the heart of what we do, but why we do it — and to have that recognized by someone we admire so deeply makes it all the more meaningful. Working alongside you is always a joy. Your calm presence and genuine kindness make every wedding better — not just for the couple, but for everyone lucky enough to share the vendor list with you. Your spirit can’t be taught, and we’re constantly inspired by the way you see people through your lens (both literally and figuratively). I’m so grateful for the friendship we’ve built through this wild, wonderful world of weddings. Thank you for trusting me, for cheering us on, and for reminding us that what we do matters. Here's to many more beautiful days side by side.
  • Hire Dabney Smith Right Now!

    Verified review
    CarolynJun 7, 2025

    We are two type-A nerds who have spreadsheets for everything, from our vacations to meal plans, and Dabney wowed us from the very beginning with her organization and efficiency. She knows the wedding industry inside and out: proactively suggesting solutions to problems you hadn't even thought to consider. She attends to every detail: from electrical outlet locations to accounting for print bleeds to scheduling time to bustle your dress. Dabney prepares an extremely detailed floorplan layout - for both your Plan A and the rain plan - as well as 12-page timeline for the day. I can attest she puts even the most-anxious minds at ease! She had so many suggestions to improve the flow and guest experience of our day - but she never felt pushy and enthusiastically supported even our kookiest ideas. Our wedding was so masterfully coordinated! Moreover, Dabney treated us like family. This strength shows in everything she does: she bonds with her clients and is so generous with her time. We felt supported by her expertise as soon as we signed the contract. And on the day of, her presence was comforting, warm, and fun. She even wore a blue and white chinoiserie dress that matched our entire theme - talk about cohesion! I wish we could have another wedding so we could work with her again!

    Response from vendorJun 11, 2025
    This review made our type-A hearts happy! From one spreadsheet-loving soul to another, thank you for seeing and celebrating the heart and hustle behind every detail. Your trust, creativity, and wonderfully “kooky” ideas made this wedding such a joy to plan—and we’re still not over those trivia questions! Helping you personalize your big day was a true honor, and reading that you felt both supported and celebrated makes our job feel even more meaningful. If you do decide on a vow renewal, we’ll have the blue-and-white dress dry cleaned and ready!
  • Dabney’s Designs is the BEST

    Verified review
    Brooke F.Apr 8, 2025

    Dabney’s Designs made our wedding dreams come true! From start to finish, Dabney went above and beyond to make every detail perfect. Before I could even think of something like blue napkins to match our custom crest (which Dabney designed!), she had already found them! She did the same with the menu in the shape of the crest, the escort table, cocktail rounds, flower arrangements, and the entire ballroom design. I am very picky, and I LOVED everything she would show me. She truly listens to her brides (and their partners/families). Every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed—stunning flowers, beautiful signage, delicious food, and an incredible band! Our guests were absolutely blown away, and we’ve had 10 or more friends say they want their weddings to be just like ours! Dabney and her team took care of everything, connecting us with the best vendors. If you want a wedding that’s seamless, unforgettable, and full of love, we can’t recommend Dabney’s Designs enough!

    Response from vendorApr 9, 2025
    Brooke & Jack, Thank you so much for your incredible review! I’m thrilled that you loved everything we created together! It was the most gorgeous day for one of our most special couples. It was an absolute joy to work with you and help bring your wedding dreams to life. I’m so glad that our collaboration resulted in a seamless and unforgettable celebration that left your guests in awe. Hearing that friends want their weddings to be just like yours is truly the greatest compliment. From designing your custom crest to finding those perfect blue napkins to match and everything in between, it was my honor to be a part of your journey. Wedding planning can be daunting, so I hope that we made the process more enjoyable along the way. Thank you for trusting Dabney Designs with such an important day. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with love, happiness, and beautiful memories! Cheers, Dabney & the Team