A wedding, gala, reunion dinner or fundraiser usually runs on a small group of busy people: the couple, parents, a maid of honor, a friend who volunteered to help with the venue. Everyone has a job and a family, so the meetings that matter, like the vendor walkthrough, the tasting or the budget check-in, keep slipping while the group chat fills with “what about Thursday?” Decisions wait on the meeting, and the date on the calendar keeps getting closer.
How Commonhour works for planning meetings
Create a plan with the days and times you could meet. Paint the half-hour start times that could work, or turn on All day if you're only choosing a day, such as a weekend for a site visit.
Share one link in the group chat or email it to the committee. Members open it in their browser and tap the times they're free. No account, no app.
Watch the ranked list fill in. The times that work for the most people rise to the top, with a note of who can't make each one.
Pick a time and send the calendar invite to everyone who's free, so it lands on their calendars and not just in the chat.
What it works for
Regular committee check-ins. Find a weekly or monthly slot for the couple, family and helpers to go over the to-do list.
Vendor visits and tastings. Venue walkthroughs, cake tastings and caterer meetings need the right people in the room. Check who's free before you book.
Showers, rehearsal dinners and send-off events. Pick the date with the hosts and key guests before sending anything out.
Other events run by a committee. Anniversary parties, fundraisers, school dances and community festivals all need a small group to agree on a time.
Tips for a better turnout
Ask only the people who must be there. A short list of committee members gets answers faster than the whole guest list.
Use the must-attend filter. Mark the people a meeting can't happen without and the shortlist shows only the times that work for them. It's a view on your screen and isn't saved.
Set a respond-by date. A deadline on the plan gives members a reason to answer this week. For more, see the guide to getting responses.
Calendar invites are free, always. Google Calendar, Outlook, or an .ics file, with everyone who's free already added as a guest.
What it doesn't do yet
Commonhour finds the time. It isn't a wedding website or planning suite: it doesn't manage guest lists or RSVPs, track budgets or vendors, or carry a checklist. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses, which covers most committees; for a larger group, sign in with a free account to go past that.
Planning committee scheduling questions
Do committee members need an account?
No. They open the link and tap the times they're free, with nothing to install. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; for a bigger group, sign in with a free account to go past that.
Can I use it to schedule a venue visit or tasting?
Yes. Offer a few times, let the people who need to attend tap the ones that work, and book the time that fits the most of them. Then confirm the time with the venue or vendor yourself.
Can I just choose a day instead of a time?
Yes. Turn on All day and each date becomes one option, which suits a site-visit weekend or a day of dress shopping.
Is the calendar invite free?
Yes. Sending the calendar invite is free, with Google Calendar, Outlook or an .ics file, and everyone who said they're free is already added as a guest.