Subscribe via RSSMonday, March 9th, 2009
I have been in the party business for a long time and am fortunate to work in one of the most beautiful venues in Los Angeles, but it takes more than a great view to be successful in this business, clients demand value. Price is the most important factor in party planning and today those of us in the event business are working harder than ever to provide value for our guests.
At my company, I work with people from all walks of life and rich or not, they all have a budget. Fortunately, I have learned a lot over the years and I consider myself an expert at creating something special for all of my clients… it really comes down to listening, being resourceful and exceeding expectations.
Here are some tips for planning your next event – beautifully and affordably:
- Get referrals. Ask friends and family about venue and vendor recommendations. Chances are someone you know has a great lead for you. Next, check them all out (online and in person) and don’t be shy about asking for client recommendations. And please don’t judge a venue by the outside of the building. You never know when you will come across a hidden gem. The majority of our business is word-of-mouth which is great because our new clients already have a sense of trust when they first walk in the door.
- Share your vision. Be very vocal about what you want and how it looks in your mind. Choose a planner who understands your vision and never stops communicating. A real pro (like me
) will not only “get” your vision, she will take it to new levels! - Shop and compare. Did you know that an event on our luxury yachts is comparable in price to a hotel ballroom? Don’t dismiss any idea because you assume it will cost more money.
- Be open to change. Things happen, so be open to compromise. If you’re in good hands and have communicated well with your planner, she will always have great ideas when it’s time to make adjustments.
- Work with experienced professionals! I can’t stress this enough. I have nearly 30 years of resources at my fingertips, which allows me to provide value and expertise to all my clients. If your party is in the hands of experts, you can be sure that every detail will be tended too from start to finish. You should always be able to expect this level of service from your event team.
- Think about your guests. What will their experience be like? Do you have a variety of menu items for all tastes? Will they be comfortable? What will they remember about your event? Again, your professional event planner can provide tons of ideas to “wow” your guests based on years of experience.
Value can be demonstrated in many ways, from cost and level of service to uniqueness and overall experience. No matter what your budget, there are ways to skimp here, save their and make it look like you spent twice the price. My job has always been to make you look great and feel even better throughout the process!
So, now that you are armed with all of this knowledge, aren’t you ready to plan your next event with FantaSea?
