5 Easy Yet Surefire Ways to Curate a Successful Event
Have an upcoming event –- wedding; anniversary, sweet-16, or retirement party; or, an event just because? What if there were five (5) easy steps to ensure success?
Before we get to the 5 steps, though, let’s first dispel a myth. Planning an event is not an easy endeavor that anyone can do. Now that we have that settled, it’s abundantly clear how vital it is to have a certified event planner. And, once this decision is made, below are the 5 essentials to creating the happening event you have in mind.
No. 1 Value the planner’s worth
Planner’s do so much more than what is written in their contract…Things of which their clients will never be aware. And, they put in hours of work that far exceeds the fee. They negotiate with vendors on their clients’ behalf, pull in favors, keep venue owners happy, shoulder an untold number of complaints, make unkind guests comfortable, and so on and so on. The planner is the linchpin to a successful, once in a lifetime event and worth their fee. While it might seem counter-intuitive, trying to negotiate a lower fee is a short-sighted attempt to reduce the event budget and gives the message that the planner’s services are not valued. Therefore, if you find a planner that you click with but are concerned about the investment, before trying to negotiate a lower fee, consider negotiating a payment plan.
No. 2 Over-communicate
Communication reigns supreme. It is the cornerstone of every relationship, including the one with your planner. Never fear that you are bothering him or her. The last thing your planner wants to hear during the event is, “Oh, I didn’t mention that….” So, when you have made a decision, big or small, drop your planner an email with the update.
No. 3 Heed advice
Follow your planner’s advice. There will undoubtedly be etiquette questions and things to considers for optimizing your guests’ experience. Let your planner guide you through the pros and cons of each decision. He or she will let you know if you are heading in the wrong direction.
No. 4 Talk with your planner before adjusting the timeline
Your planner will spend a lot of time and effort to create a timeline that maximizes the event experience. Your seasoned planner will also be able to make last minute adjustments as the event progresses, if needed. However, when you begin second guessing the planner, there will most definitely be unexpected consequences. Therefore, if you see the need to make a timeline change, talk with your planner before making a rash, uninformed adjustment.
No 5. Promptly respond to questions
As the event date is approaching, there will be a lot of last-minute activities that will be competing for your attention including your planner. Please make the planner one of the top priorities since the execution of your event rests on his or her shoulders. You will want to ensure that the planner has all of the information needed to ensure that your vision comes to life.
And, once your planner has moved heaven and earth to make your event a success, there is no better way to say thank you than publishing a positive review on your planner’s platform of choice. With these 5 steps, without a doubt, you will be writing a rave review!