Setting Up Stripe

Gilded uses Stripe to process payments from your clients. Before you can request deposits or collect payment, you need to connect a Stripe account. This is a one-time setup that takes about five minutes.

What Is Stripe Connect?

Stripe Connect is the technology that lets Gilded send payment requests on your behalf while directing the money straight to your bank account. When a client pays through Gilded, the payment is processed by Stripe and deposited into your connected bank account — Gilded never holds your funds.

Starting the Connection

1. Navigate to Settings in the left sidebar
2. Select the Billing tab
3. Click Connect Stripe Account

This opens a Stripe-hosted onboarding flow. You will leave Gilded briefly to complete the setup on Stripe's secure site.

What Stripe Asks For

During onboarding, Stripe will ask for:

• Business type — Individual or sole proprietor works for most wedding planners
• Personal information — Name, date of birth, last four digits of your SSN (for identity verification)
• Business details — Your business name, address, and website
• Bank account — The account where payments will be deposited

This information goes directly to Stripe for identity verification and compliance. Gilded does not see or store your banking details.

Completing the Setup

After you fill in the required information, Stripe may need a moment to verify your identity. In most cases, this is instant. Once verified, you are redirected back to Gilded and your Stripe account is connected.

You will see a confirmation on the Billing settings page showing your connected status.

What Happens Behind the Scenes

Once connected:

• Payment request buttons become active on your event pages
• When a client pays, Stripe processes the transaction and deposits the funds into your bank account
• Payouts from Stripe typically arrive in 2 business days (this depends on your Stripe settings)
• You can manage payout schedules and view transaction history directly in your Stripe dashboard at dashboard.stripe.com

If You Already Have a Stripe Account

If you already use Stripe for other purposes, you can connect that same account. During the Connect flow, Stripe will recognize your existing account and let you link it. You do not need to create a separate account for Gilded.

Disconnecting Stripe

If you ever need to disconnect your Stripe account, go to Settings > Billing and click Disconnect. This stops new payment requests but does not affect payments that have already been processed.

Troubleshooting

• Verification pending: Stripe occasionally requires additional documentation (like a photo of your ID). Check your email for any requests from Stripe.
• Bank account not showing deposits: Payouts can take 2-7 business days initially while Stripe verifies your account. After the first payout, transfers typically arrive in 2 business days.
• Connection error: If the onboarding flow fails, try again from Settings > Billing. Make sure you are using a modern browser with pop-ups enabled.

Next Steps

With Stripe connected, you are ready to start requesting payments. Learn how in Requesting Payments.