One of the most exciting things about having an upcoming event is the planning it takes. If you do a great job, your client will be more than happy to refer you to colleagues that may need an event planned in the future. A good reputation hits just as hard as a bad one, so you want to make sure you stay on top of your tasks. Things you should consider when planning an event include budget, venue, and guest list.
Budget
Events can cost quite a bit of money, especially if there’s a lot of food, decorations, and an expensive venue. You will need to create a budget, so you can know what you expect to expect. Budget creation is also important if you have an event planning business and need to stay within a specific range for your client. Without limitations and restrictions your shopping habits will be very different than that of a planner that has a budget they need to stick to. Being able to budget well is also a great selling point if you have an event planning business. A part of the reason people may not want to handle their own party planning is the difficulty of making sure the funds are appropriately allocated.
Venue
One of the most important things to find out once you know the budget for your party is where the party will be held. Public rentable locations almost always need a reservation. Sometimes those reservations require a deposit. You will need to call ahead to make sure the location is available for the date, time, and timeframe you need it for. Make sure to see how long you can use the place and if there are any penalties for going over the time slot. Find out about any cleaning requirements and if you are allowed to come early and decorate before the actual event starts. This information is important because you can base your invitation time around the time that you will actually have control of the location.
Guest List
Are you mailing invites? Is this a corporate event production where the most important person will handle bringing the group? This is stuff you need to ask the client when you discuss who is coming to the event. It’s important to know what your numbers are for capacity issues at events. Find out if it’s just staff or if they will bring guests. This information is also important in case your venue is a restaurant. Seating could be limited, or additional seating could change the price of venue.
Being an event planner is a unique and special career. Your client is trusting you to bring their vision to life, so they don’t have any potential anxiety. The way you choose to plan out your events will most likely change for each person and every business. Things you will consider as an event planner is the budget, the venue, and the guest list.
