Corporate Event Planning|Event Management|Event Planner

When you plan a wedding photography business, you are joining not just the photography industry, but the huge American wedding industry. There are multiple potential channels for marketing your services in this industry, and your marketing plan should detail how you will take advantage of them to spend you precious marketing dollars.

Print Advertising

Unlike consumers looking for certain products, brides do still look to magazines as a significant source of information about weddings and wedding services. Purchasing advertising in bridal magazines can be a good marketing spend. However, running a public relations campaign which targets these magazines with article ideas featuring your business may be an even better way to pursue this channel, assuming there are specific remarkable stories you can push.

Internet Advertising

Wedding websites, such as theknot.com, weddingchannel.com, and brides.com, are another source of information and services for brides and wedding planners. Pay-per-click advertising with Google AdWords or other search engines is another valuable way to advertise. The upside of internet advertising is the ability to track the number of hits your website receives directly from these sources and the rate of converting these hits to those who request more information or even call. The AdWords campaign manager or free tools such as Google Analytics can supply this information.

Industry Associations

To seek the higher end of the wedding market, you will need to work with event planners who tend to manage the planning process for bridal clients. Join industry associations where wedding and event planners take part, both to gain mailing lists and to learn about events and conferences to attend. Use these events to network and build your reputation with wedding planners one at a time. Many will be interested in a commission relationship, whereby they earn 10% or more of your fees to wedding clients they refer to you. Be prepared for whether you will be happy with this kind of relationship or if it will effectively obliterate your profit.

Around the world this region is best known for its produce champagne, than its other numerous charms such as its excellent game, out of which many delicious meals have been thoroughly enjoyed. However as well as its appeal to the discerning palate, this region in France has a number of interesting and fun festivals throughout the year.

1. Elektricity Festival, Rue du Docteur Lemoine, Reims Cathedral, 20th to 24th March 2013
You could be forgiven for assuming that this festival had something to do with electricity; it is however the name of a music festival which combines urban and contemporary music. Taking place in front of the Reims Cathedral, you can expect to experience new types of electronic music however, as well as a promising line up, put together by the festival organisers.

A firm favourite in the Reim festival and cultural world, it has a good track record (excuse the pun) and visitors can expect to attend some good performances.

2. Europuces Fair in Reims, Reims Exhibition Centre, 2nd to 3rd March 2013
A massive amount of antique lovers attend the Europuces Fair in Reims. Whether you are a seasoned antique dealer, an enthusiast or a bargain hunter, this is the place to be!

European antique sellers have a range of treasures on sale, from furniture to fine art objects, to apparently ordinary every day items. Come to the treasure trove that is the Europuces Fair.

3. M矇li'm繫me Festival, Place de l'Hotel de Ville, Reims, 22nd March to 8th April 2013
Move over Mummy and Daddy, this festival is all about the children! This festival has grown in popularity since its inception back in 1989, and it offers a colourful combination of fun and expressive genres which will be sure to engage your child or children.

From story telling to dance, from song and dance to puppet shows, the entertainment offers a range of magical and delightful shows for the younger family members.

4. Festival Bernard Dimey, May awaiting dates 2013 (10th to 13th May 2012)
A festival dedicated to the memory of Bernard Dimey, the Nogent poet. There are prizes awarded each year from a spring-board event, for the younger talented people.

Born on 16th July 1931 in what was then Nogent-en-Bassigny, and now Nogent, Bernard Dimey was a French poet and songwriter. The festival focuses on poetry and songs with the younger folk in mind. He died in Paris, on 1st July 1981.

5. Sedan Medieval Festival, 3rd week May, (19th to 20th May 2012)
The Sedan Castle Fort was built almost 6 centuries ago and is the largest in Europe, with a size of 35,000m2. Making it a splendid place to enjoy a medieval festival, it is located right in the heart of Sedan city.

The festival takes place both in the castle fortress as well as in the town, and each year the event planners come with a new themed surprise. In 2011 a full size dragon who spat fire was produced and in 2010 came the giants of the north.

Cast yourself back into medieval times and watch the medieval sports and activities take place, such as jousting, flag throwing and cavalry tournaments. Enjoy street theatre, soak up the medieval atmosphere, feast, drink and be merry!

You can also find plenty of beautiful medieval arts and crafts, plus watch medieval artisans at work.

6. Joan of Arc Festival, early June (2nd to 3rd June 2012)
Joan of Arc festival is one of the most historical events which takes place in France. The city of Reims celebrates its heroine.

It is a marvellous sight, as around 2000 people dress up in historical costumes to accompany Charles VII and Joan of Arc, in a parade.

The patron saint of the city, who freed it from the English in the 15th century, is celebrated by a range of shows. If you are British and visiting this festival, you can enjoy some fun French-English rivalry, given the occasion. So take local banter in the good spirits of the occasion!

Wander around the medieval market, enjoying the historical epics that are part and parcel of this festival, as well as the atmosphere and the surroundings.

7. Les Sacres du Folklore - The Rites of Folklore Festival - Reims, 21st to 25th June 2013
This folk festival takes place in the interests of friendship and peace in Reims. You can expect to hear some of world's best folk groups, and enjoy a folk-filled programme of events. More than three hundred musicans, singers, dancers and actors take part in this large folk festival.

8. Ay Champagne Festival (every 2nd year, 1st weekend July, next year 2014)
Also known as Henry IV Festival

Considered to be the best champagne village in the whole region, Ay is the home of the likes of Bollinger, Gosset and Ayala, as well as Deutz & Gelderman.

This festival combines lots of bubbly champagne and plenty of bubbly entertainment. Consider putting a few days apart in July 2014 for this marvellous event.

9. Clin d'œil Festival, Reims, 5th to 7th July 2013
Running since the European Year of People with Disabilities, 2003, this festival is a huge European deaf cultural event. In fact it actually started off as a one off event, but like a stone gathering moss, it has developed into a superb event that now continues to run.

Here is where you can enjoy experiencing the showcasing of the numerous exceptionally talented deaf people. It is a festival that bridges the gap between the deaf and hearing communities through the medium of artistic expression. A variety of forms of art and creative expression include painting, sculpture, design.

10. Fête des Sorcières - Witch Festival, Chalindrey, October
Whilst today there are many practices witches who live happily in various countries, a few centuries ago they would have been burnt at the stake. During the 16th century the Fort of Cognelot was the area of a witch hunt, and since then it was given the name Devil's Point. This, as well as the area's Celtic roots have combined to make it a location rich in supernatural heritage.

The Witch Festival has been running for around a century. Celebrations evoke this heritage and visitors can enjoy dances which are haunting, til the wee and more eerie hours. The festival includes exhibitions, movies of a fitting genre and face painting.

Listen to the local ghost stories, marvel at the beautiful scenery, learn about true roots of witches and of course have lots of fun!

If you build it, they will come. Unfortunately, this axiom does not necessarily work in the event venue world. Not all conference spaces are created equal, nor are they branded equally - or effectively, in many cases.

A successful event venue has a defined "personality" and ably addresses a need or void within its space. A branding process is vital, especially when establishing new conference space. This article addresses five steps to creating an identity and securing an audience for an event venue.

o Create a visually appealing brand

What a conference center communicates through its outbound materials helps define the experience attendees' will have. For instance, is the space better for interactive meetings or educational symposia? Does the facility have more appeal to corporate executives or to customer service staff? Will attendees be treated to a plush experience?

Don't forget the power of the Web to communicate a venue's "vibe" as well. A custom-built website allows event planners to learn about the facility and its configuration options. A great website is a key marketing tool, with the ability to provide updated facility news, including floor plans and photographs, and interactive tours of the facility.

o Identify the audience

The best meeting space matches its attendees' needs perfectly. To get to that point, a venue must identify primary users of the space. If the key audience is IT professionals, the venue should have the latest technology: wireless hot spots, great A/V and more. If the audience leans toward scientific groups, ensure the conference center has breakout rooms, poster presentation areas and lecture-style auditorium.

o Illustrate value to prospective audiences

Technology, design, flexibility - a great conference center offers many things to many people. As with any investment, showing a positive return is important. Does the technology inside a venue meet the needs of the most demanding presenter. With so much competition for events business, building great technology and design into a conference space and delivering a positive work environment to attendees is vital for "state-of-the-art" venues.

o Communicate an identity

Having a great facility and attracting qualified meetings to it are not necessarily linked. Event planners have an array of tools to identify meeting space that fits their specific criteria. With the Web, industry publications, trade shows, advertising and direct marketing, there are many ways to find a facility and many ways to market one.

Using a multi-pronged approach of direct marketing, public relations and advertising, an event venue can saturate key audiences with news before and after a facility has opened.

Marketing initiatives to communicate a brand include:

o Conducting "hardhat" facility tours during its construction phase to build pre-opening interest.

o Building a direct marketing database.

o Creating partnerships to add to the richness of the venue's offering and to create a referral source community for the facility, by targeting collaborating with continuing education programs, hotels, travel agencies, destination management companies and exhibition companies.

o Participating in meeting industry trade shows.

o Hosting charity events and industry association events, especially those that attract potential users of the space.

Public relations initiatives target meetings publications by securing venue listings and placing news in industry association publications, such as Meeting Planner International's Meetings.

o Ensure structure exists to support the offering

It's vital to deliver on what you promise. Managing an event facility is time consuming. Having the proper support systems in place, and automating as much as possible, eases the operational side of venue management. Administrative details to firm up before attracting an audience include:

o Determining pricing for all audiences and types of functions (day vs. night, poster session vs. lecture series, corporate vs. non-profit, full facility use vs. partial, etc.)

o Creating catering packages

o Identifying additional elements, such as security, staffing and parking

o Building a comprehensive sales kit and contract

o Selecting venue management scheduling technology

o Deciding whether to keep A/V technical staffing in-house, or to outsource it

Great branding isn't the only strategy that makes an event venue work, but it certainly helps create an individual personality to drive success.

What is the easiest way to give your next event or fund raiser that finishing touch? The best events companies use costumes to put their events into the big league. Here are some helpful ideas.

The easiest way to tie in costumes to your next event is to select a theme where costumes are predominant. Popular themes such as Carnival, Mardi Gras or Venetian Ball are the most obvious. But there are other themes that can lend themselves to costumes, food and decor. Your party attendees will love cultural themes like Brazilian, Hawaiian, and Mexican, or era themes such as the Roaring 20's, Dirty 30's Prohibition, Swing, 50's Rock'n'Roll, Disco and so on. Other popular themes can come from movies, T.V. and Pop Culture: Moulin Rouge, The Godfather, Superheroes, Grease, Gilligan's Island, Austin Power, and more recently Pirates of the Caribbean.

The next step is to use costumes in the theme. For example, if your theme is Mardi Gras, use beads, masks, feather boas and coins to decorate. Place these items on the dinner tables and receiving tables. Have staff and catering staff dress in costumes and ask guests to come in costumes. Just make sure that the "dress" is clearly written on the invite so there is no confusion about what they are to wear. Have incentives for guests by offering door prizes for best costumes.

Another way to include costumes is to have grab bags full of costume accessories tied into the theme that can be left in the guests hotel suite prior to the event or when they arrive at the front door. A disco theme could have funky glasses and an afro, Mardi Gras theme elaborate mask and beads, and a Woodstock theme peace necklace, tinted sunglasses and a flower child wreath. That way, if guests haven't arrived with any costumes, a few accessories can easily create the look for the event.

If the event has karaoke, you can even have small groups have a dress-up table where they can select costumes that tie in with their song, such as "Summer Lovin'" from Grease or "Love Shak" by the B52's. Another popular idea is to have a dress-up photo booth. Guests can select costumes and accessories from racks and have pictures taken by a photographer as a souvenir of th evening. The costumes can be tied into the theme such as saloon costumes for a cowboy theme or groovy 60's costumes for an Austin Powers theme. A bonus is to have a painted backdrop and photo printer on hand for immediate prints!

Whatever you do, don't pressure your guests to wear full costumes. It's supposed to be fun, so let them express themselves how they want to. Remember, the idea is to create a memorable evening that your guests will talk about for days and months to come.

A not so recent trend that continues to become more and more popular these days is the pairing or bundling of special event services. Often one vendor can supply several of the temporary rental services needed for a concert, wedding, party or any other special event to be a success. One industry where this trend is especially present is the dumpster industry. In the past dumpster rental companies offered services related to waste management. Dumpster, and roll off rental companies often had divisions that recycled and/or purchased scrap metal and some even provide residential trash collection service.

Now, dumpster rental companies are offering more services geared toward and bundled especially for the special events market. Porta-potty rentals or portable toilets are a usual "add on" service, and is regularly offered along with hand sink and even portable shower rentals. The more services a dumpster rental company can offer, the more potential clients they can attract. Not everyone who needs dumpster rental service also needs porta-potty rentals as well, but it is nice to know the services are available if they do. By bundling these services, dumpster rental companies help special event planners save time by dealing with fewer vendors. Also, there are price savings associated with package deals which make them attractive for consumers.

One such dumpster rental company offering related special event services is S & B Porta-Bowl Restrooms in Denver, CO. With locations in Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Evans, Colorado, S & B Porta-Bowl Restrooms provides the most reliable dumpster rental Denver residents have come to expect. S & B Porta-Bowl Restrooms doesn't only provide dumpster service; they also have portable hand sinks, portable toilets, portable restrooms, and even portable showers for rent. S & B Porta-Bowl Restrooms can pair all these services with their stellar services to make your next important event a success. Bundling services increases a companies value because it allows them to handle more of their customers needs.

It is difficult for special event coordinators to rent the necessary amenities from several different vendors. Renting from multiple vendors causes a logistical nightmare while setting up for and cleaning up after a special event. In summary, grouping rental services together is a trend that can help people save time, effort, and money when planning for an event.

There are a lot of benefits of letting the arrangements of your party be managed by a professional. Although small event can be planned by the hosts themselves but events like birthday parties, wedding or business conferences cannot be handled by a single person. Today everyone is so busy that nobody has enough time to make the arrangement of their parties as it can be a lot of stress and hassle. That is why they hire professional party planners. Once people do that, they are satisfied that their party is going to be a hit.

In a party, there are different constituents and each of them is of immense importance. These elements include location, catering, decorations, sitting arrangements, sanitary, electricity, reservations etc. If even any one of them is neglected, it can create problems for you.

There are many benefits of getting a professional party planner to arrange and manage your party. These include:

1. Hassle free management: A professional party planner knows how to manage each and every aspect of a party. People do not have much information regarding organizing their parties and make so many mistakes because they keep their concentration on only one aspect and forget the rest, thus other aspects are negatively affected. On the other hand party planners have great knowledge about so many things because this is their routine like; who is the best DJ in town or who will provide the best catering service etc. so whatever budget they are provided these pros choose accordingly. A pro will manage all arrangements and there will be nothing for you to worry about.


2. Perfection; Event planning is a field which is expanding day by day and there are many reputable educational institutions which offer courses of event planning. They teach students the pros and cons and the dos and don'ts of a party. Thus planners are equipment with detailed knowledge. They realize their responsibility and perform it in the most perfect way. Every aspect will be perfect and as per your desires. Your party planner will give you solid advice which will make your event far better than what you could do yourself.


3. Money saver: If you do not want to spend too much on your occasion, professional planners will tell you of different ways through which you can save your money and still impress your guests. Mostly event planners can save up to 30% of their client's money. Experience is the key which these event organizers have and that is why they are able to create a wonderful party.


4. Event rental facilities: Most pros have furniture and china available which can be hired for the occasion. This makes it even more convenient for you as you not only get everything but also enjoy certain rebates that they offer as a package plan for different events.?

Professional event planners have a very creative nature and they can make people's dreams come true. They will make your parties ethnic with a touch of class. They lower down your stress and increase your excitement and help you have a very memorable and fun-filled day of your life.

A limo blog? Really? At first, the idea may seem a little far-fetched or maybe just a little too esoteric to be of much use to anyone except the blogger. Who would keep such a weblog, and for what purpose? The average person enjoys very few limousine-worthy occasions in his or her life, so that, when Cinderella's carriage returns to its original pumpkin-ness, there's not much more to write.

But that's exactly the point. Because ordinary people do not very often take advantage of limousine service, a limousine blog provides them with vital information about sizes, styles, features, options, prices, and proper limousine etiquette. Because the everyday person very seldom limousines from one place to another, the limo blog schools them in all they need to know about riding in style, providing a great resource for people who need quick and comprehensive information about a subject not frequently discussed.

The all-purpose limo blog

Could you list and describe all the different sizes, styles, and models of limousines-everything from horse-drawn carriages to fifteen passenger Hum-Vees? Could you go the next step and explain the advantages, disadvantages, and proper occasions for each vehicle? The all-purpose limousine blog does that for you. Which limousine best will transport your children to the senior prom? Will your prom-bound children be able to break into the limousine's liquor cabinet while they travel? Which elegant automobile best will transport newlywed bride and groom from church to reception and from reception to honeymoon suite? Will they enjoy the privacy they desperately want and need? A limousine blog gives you the information you need to connect the dots.

In addition to the specifics of limousine sizes, shapes, designs, and seating capacities, the well-informed limousine blogger delivers the short course in proper limousine etiquette: What kind of service and courtesy should you expect from your driver? What is the best way to communicate your preferences to the driver? Where and what distance may the limo driver take you? Is it appropriate to tip your chauffeur for exceptional service, and if you may offer a gratuity, how much should you give; what is the most decorous way to deliver your thanks and cash? The limo blog breaks it all down for you.

Limo blog for event planners

A limousine blog provides an invaluable resource for event planners who must arrange transportation for guests, VIPs, and event staff. The term "limousine" does include nine- and twelve-passenger vans, and it also includes small party buses. The limousine blog shows a strategic planner how to make most efficient and economical use of all vehicles. In fact, the bigger the event or the bigger the name on the marquee, the more an event planner ought to avail herself of the limo blog.

Limo blog for upscale business travellers

A skilled administrative assistant rapidly rising on the corporate career ladder should become an avid reader of limousine blogs, gleaning essential information to make her boss's business travel as comfortable and speedy as she possibly can. Habituated to their perquisites, executives demand their staffs pay attention to minute details. Planning for the boss's trip to Houston, a limousine blog will teach the skilled assistant how to assure that the boss's Wall Street Journal and morning Starbuck's are in the back seat waiting for him as the comfortable Lincoln Town Car rolls-up in front of his semi-palatial suburban estate. The well-developed limo blog gives the ambitious assistant all the tools she needs.

When you are a new wedding planner, it's important that you develop a network of high-quality vendors you can work with to plan your weddings. Vendors are usually eager to meet a wedding planner because they see you as someone who can bring them many referrals. But you want to make a good impression so they take you seriously as a potential business partner.

Here are 9 steps you should take to prepare to meet vendors for the first time:

1) Study the vendor's website and any marketing materials you might have so you know something about them. Vendors will be impressed that you did some research before meeting with them. Your website should be up and running by the time you contact vendors so they can also do research on your business.

2) Prepare a list of questions to find out about their business, experience, style, services, products, and fees. From their answers you should be able to decide if they are the right fit for the brides in your niche and if you would work well together.

3) Prepare your portfolio and bring it with you. Vendors will want to see photographs of your wedding and event planning work. You will also need to show your portfolio to potential clients so be sure you take the time to select the photographs and information that represent you well.

4) Be ready to answer questions about your background and experience as it relates to wedding and event planning. Vendors will want to know the type of experience you have and that you will give good customer service to anyone they refer to you.

5) Call to confirm your appointment the day before your meeting. People get busy so be sure you are on their schedules.

6) Dress professionally, as you would for a client meeting. No matter how you think they might dress, you should look like a professional wedding planner when you meet.

7) Bring plenty of business cards and your marketing brochures so you can give them to vendors to distribute, if they are willing to do so.

8) Allow plenty of time to get to your meeting and plan to arrive early, don't make them wait for you.

9) Send a note in the mail after your meeting to thank them for taking the time to meet with you. This is a courtesy that few people do, so it will make you memorable.

Stay in touch with your vendors so you'll know when they add products and services that may be of interest to your brides. Also, let them know when you add services to your business so they can refer more people to you.

Wedding ceremonies and fashions have changed greatly over the years, but there is one thing that will never change - there is no day in a bride's life that is more important.
Here are 6 things that every modern bride needs to have on her special day.

Photo Booth: This is an increasingly popular option and provides a lasting keepsake. It's also a great way for your guests to have some fun and create unique memories. Your guests are greeted by the photo booth staff, where they are directed inside the booth and given access to a myriad of props, including signs, funny hats, and big sunglasses. The photos are taken and printed on high quality printers, where each guest will be given a copy. The photos are then put into a scrapbook for the bride and groom to enjoy and peruse through after the wedding. Free delivery, set up and removal is included in the price of the photo booth rental.

Memory/Scrapbook: Make sure that the special day captures every moment. A good photographer can help make this happen, as can a photo booth rental.

Bride's Survival Kit: This should be made up ahead of time, and should include items such as your cell phone, tissues, makeup, bobby pins, small sewing kit, spot remover and a nail file. The Maid of Honor can be in charge of this throughout the day.

Wear-Again Wedding Dress: Many modern brides are opting for less traditional wedding dresses, in favor of ones they can wear again. This trend is becoming increasingly popular, especially for those with a limited budget (and isn't that just about everyone these days?)

Cupcakes: Many brides are choosing cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake, for a selection of cupcakes. They can be all one flavor, or a mixture of chocolate, vanilla and other flavors, so there is something for everyone. These can be arranged in various shapes and can be made in several different sizes.

Groom: Every bride needs a groom! That is something that brides need to find on their own, however.

Marriage is one of the greatest milestones of life and it should be arranged accordingly. Wedding photo booth is a great way to keep these memories alive.Photo booth is an essential part of a wedding planning now and it is one of the prime concerns for the event planners. Lastly, a bride will always be sure to use music that is in the top ten charts to entertain her guests as well as having food that is top notch.

With money being tight these days, a popular question that often comes up is whether or not an event planner is necessary when a wedding DJ can often provide the same services and advice. Before the technological revolution, brides were not able to obtain the information necessary to plan a wedding without requesting advice from someone with experience. Today, internet search engines can solve most of the problems that brides and grooms faced in the past. By reviewing prices and customer feedback from the comfort of your own home, it seems like more of a hassle to hire a wedding planner than a luxury. Ultimately, the remaining tasks that wedding planners perform can easily be performed by a wedding disc jockey, which opens the question, is hiring a wedding DJ enough?

Arguably the most important job at a wedding is the wedding DJ. The DJ runs the music for the reception, and if the music or announcements were to stop, the reception would come to an awkward halt. The DJ guides the mood of the event and works with the schedules of all other vendors and staff at the event. He or she has ample experience working with reception hall managers and hosts as well as caterers and party supply vendors. With this experience, the DJ can guide you in the right direction when booking your reception hall, choosing a caterer, and purchasing party supplies. By looking to your disc jockey for advice instead of hiring a party planner, you'll save yourself a lot of money and receive genuine recommendations for your wedding reception.

In addition, mobile DJs may have special connections with vendors. In today's market, many DJ companies have partnered with photographers and video professionals. In fact, many DJ companies have expanded and become "entertainment and wedding service" companies, which means they can provide all-inclusive wedding packages, ultimately saving you money. If your DJ does not own and operate a business that can provide all inclusive services, it can still be very helpful to speak with the DJ about who and what he knows about the other services. Again, DJs hold connections with many different vendors they have worked with in the past. Asking for recommendations could still score you a significant discount on services for your wedding.

In the end, it is quite apparent that wedding event planners are on the road to becoming obsolete. The internet, along with your wedding DJ, can provide the same services that a wedding event planning normally provides without having to cough up extra money to get information. In addition to saving money by not having to hire a wedding planner, you can also save a significant amount of money by using your wedding DJ's connections and saving a significant amount of money on other services you may desire for your wedding. Ultimately, the importance and necessity of wedding event planners is nearly obsolete. In this economy, it isn't worth spending a significant amount of extra money on event planners. Plan your resources wisely and get the quality services you expect without paying for someone to find them for you.

The role of wedding planner is a fairly modern one. Until fairly recently, such a job was unheard of, where as now it is almost the norm. These days, such is the pressure on brides and grooms to spend money and get everything right on the day of their wedding, while still working full time demanding jobs, has led to the birth of the wedding planner industry. Whole companies are now evolving who will hire out wedding planners and cater for the whole day. It has also left some people wondering how they can become a wedding planner and what qualifications or training are available to them.

What Are The Business Options For A Professional Wedding Planner?

One of the first decisions to make when you decide you would like to become a professional wedding planner is whether you work as part of an established company or be an independent and work alone. Many budding wedding coordinators choose to run their own business as they can work from home with limited overheads. It is also possible to fit it around family commitments and the overheads would not be too serious as you don't have to pay for special premises. With the prospect of keeping all the profits from the venture it is no surprise that 60 to 70 per cent of consultants start as independents.

Even so, working for a public company can have its own benefits. Firstly the publicity is better and you might have access to a wider range of clients. You could also avail yourself of the larger company resources and their contacts.

However, it is even more important to check that becoming a wedding planner is the right profession for you to pursue now or in the future.

Wedding Planner Skills

There are a number of skills required for those who want to be wedding co-ordinators. Some are natural while others are learned. A number of successful wedding planners have degrees in event planning. Others will have done a business course or worked in retail or done art and craft at college. These learned skills will be very beneficial, especially if you plan to run your own business. You will also need to set up records and accounts as well as develop contacts with a number of reliable suppliers from photographers to caterers, from venues to registrars, etc.

Natural qualities that are very valuable are not only organizational skills but also the ability to keep everyone calm. You will need to be a good communicator as well as a good listener. You will also need to network with businesses and prospective clients. If you feel there is much you need to learn, you might be better to start as part of a larger company and only branch out on your own when you feel more successful and that you have a good understanding of what it means to be a successful wedding planner.

Finance And Wedding Planning

One thing is certain, people are using the services of wedding planners and they are paying for the privileges of their services. This means there is the means to make a living. Many weddings are big affairs and as a consultant you can earn a good sized fee. How big and how successful you become will depend on the size of weddings you do, the reputation you build up as well as how good you are at negotiating deals and building up a reliable network of suppliers. The standard fee is about ten to fifteen per cent of the overall costs. The cost of the wedding will depend on the facilities required and the number of guests. A typical fee for a wedding planner can be between £1000 and £4000 per wedding.

The Life Of A Wedding Planner

As a wedding planner, you will need to be able to handle stress of varying proportions without losing your cool. You will also need to remember all the smaller details as well as the overall events of the day. There will also be many difficulties which you will need to overcome (although with experience these should become easier to deal with if not avoid altogether). On the other hand, you do get to relive countless "happiest days" over and over again. Although they will be other peoples "happiest days" the satisfaction level of this type of job done well, will be high.

Planning events have become an extremely lucrative business in the Bay Area. In their fast paced lives people do not have the time to plan their own events, much less execute them. It has also become far too tedious to organize and co-ordinate very aspect of any event. More and more people are opting to use party planners to help solve this problem for them.

You can now engage an event organizer to plan any and all kinds of events. Typically an event organizer deals with events like children's birthday parties, sweet sixteens, mitzvah parties, adult birthday parties, wedding showers, baby showers, engagement parties, bachelor parties, exotic themed dinner parties, corporate dinners and picnics, social galas, anniversary parties and retirement parties. They also organize holiday parties for Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year's.

Many times the pressures of entertaining do not permit the hosts of the party to actually enjoy themselves because they are trying to co-ordinate the food, drinks, music, etc. Using an event manager allows the hosts to be part of the party and they do not need to worry about the actual organization of it. The event planners are trained professionals and they work through the event seamlessly making it a resounding success. They satisfy the client, deal with the music and lighting, co-ordinate the catering.

Event planners in the Bay Area have ties ups with a number or caterers and party supply stores. They can always get you the best deals for party rentals as well as the food and drinks. Bay Area Event Planners have the ability to manage any situation that can be potentially disastrous in a way that the guests are totally unawares of the situation. They can also plan events that have different themes and costume and masquerade parties. They have in their cache of various performers like mimes, jugglers, dancers, magicians and many others that they can call on for particular events.

The best thing about using event organizer in the bay area, is that as the client all you have to do is give them a theme and a guest list. And they take care of the rest. Many believe that hiring event organizer can be afforded only by millionaires and corporate big-wigs. But this is not true. There are a number of event planners who are quite affordable and also those who work within a budget. Event planners in the Bay Area have virtually changed the view that you have to dole out money by the bucket to have successful event.

Almost all organizations dream of maximizing their event registrations. However, not all dreams come true, especially if you don't have a user-friendly registration process. Many a times, people get confused regarding some sections that need to be filled out when signing up for a meeting or a seminar. They are seen looking for the concerned personnel from the organization to clear their doubts. Moreover, event organizers often find it difficult to manage registrations for a large scale events and handling hundreds of forms that get submitted on a daily basis. An online registration software can help you to address these problems in a much easier and quicker fashion.

Online registration software is available 24x7 on the internet. No installation or downloading of software is required for using such a solution. No plug-ins is to be inserted as well. Event planners need to create an event website to start marketing and promoting their occasion to the target audience. The integrated registration solution can be used instantly to create registration forms. Event organizers can even customize the forms to give it a look and feel as that of their professional business website.

Your target audience can find such a Cloud-based solution highly beneficial in terms of saving their time and costs of travelling long distances to complete the registration process. People can simply log onto the event website and open the sign up forms to quickly start typing their personal details. Online forms don't leave any room for typos or misspelled words. Anything and everything can be done on the internet with the usage of a computer, keypad, and the mouse.

The Cloud-based registration system can additionally be used for promotional purposes. You can post the registration link on your social media website pages as well as on your blog and wikis to attract user/reader attention. Moreover, you can email the link to all your present and potential customers or attendees to let them finish off registering their names in a virtual environment.

Online registration process can be better administered. Event planners can add multiple instructions on the forms to guide the registrants throughout the process. For example, if a registrant has some problem understanding a specific section/field on the form, he or she can quickly refer to the instruction given on each form to smoothly progress ahead with the registration process.

Thus, from conferences, seminars to soccer matches and corporate parties, an online registration solution can help you address the most important aspects of an event in an easy and convenient manner in comparison to its manual, offline version.

Whenever I participate in the Bridal Fair I always have other planners asking me- "was it worth it?" The simple answer is yes but I can tell you that it's not just what you do at the fair but it's what you do afterwards that makes the fair worth it.

Here are 4 tips for maximizing your Bridal Fair investment:

1. Create A Great, Showstopping Booth- Even if they're not giving out an award make sure your booth stands out. You want your booth to resonate with your target bride so that she stops by. It also shows other wedding vendors that you're playing a bigger game and that can mean more referrals.

2. In person and Online Attention- We always take a ton of pictures of our booth because it's not just the people who notice you in person that you want to impress but you want to leverage EVERYTHING that you do so that means tweeting and face-booking like crazy about your participation in a Bridal Fair. That way even if brides aren't there they are taking notice of the splash you're making.

3. Build Your List- Bridal Fairs are the best way to build your list. I always give out my free report and have brides sign up to receive it via email and then later they get my ezine. This follow up is crucial and makes the difference between getting business post fair and not.

4. Make Genuine Connections- Yes we live in an online world and it's important to market online (you know I believe in that) but it's also important to have some face time with engaged couples and to make a connection with them. Brides and grooms come to these shows seeking answers and as a wedding planner, you have lots of them. Really listen to what their needs are and suggest how you can help them. We take appointment bookings right there at our booth and are busy in the weeks post fair with interviews.

Bridal Fairs are fantastic for wedding planners to participate in. It's a great way to build your list and get noticed. I personally love the networking we get to do with other vendors as it's great to see them outside of a wedding and reconnect. Bridal Fairs can be extremely profitable but you need to make sure you have all your marketing materials and your strategy aligned before you take the plunge.

Masquerade balls or masques, have their origins from a folk tradition in Europe where giftbearing players wearing masks would call on a nobleman to mark an event. These players would be dancing and singing in the nobleman's halls and encourage spectators to join in.

In the end, they would remove their masks to reveal their identities. Masques developed in Italy during medieval times, flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries as a courtly entertainment in celebration of a dynastic event. It involved music and dancing, singing and acting, performed on an elaborate stage with equally elaborate costumes and masks. Some royalties who had the acting bug like Henry VIII, Charles I, and Louis XIV performed as masquers in the masques at their courts, hidden behind masks. The spoken and singing parts, though, were done by professionals. Sadly, the masque is the artistic form from the Renaissance that is most alien to modern audiences today.

In the 90's, the masquerade balls had a resurgence in popularity. The theme has been popular in contemporary New Year's Eve celebrations. More and more events planners have now started incorporating the masquerade ball theme in certain momentous occasions such as weddings, Prom Nights, and milestone celebrations like quinceaneras and sweet 16 parties. Because of this uptrend, numerous books and websites have abounded with details on how to plan a masquerade ball.

There is also no shortage of online resources where one can buy a beautiful, handmade mask to match that gorgeous gown. In modern masquerade balls, guests can come in a complete ensemble of mask and costume or they can also arrive wearing their formal attire with a matching mask. A carefully matched mask can be a fitting accessory to a beautiful dress or gown. People who would want their faces to be seen or ladies who don't want their make-up smudged or their hair messed up would normally choose a mask on a stick.

Most formal parties can get old and boring after some time but masquerade balls are always fabulous events. Watching the guests in their costumes and masks is an entertainment in itself. No longer exclusive to royal court occasions, every photo shot from masquerade balls is a tableau of pomp and pageantry.

Once the plan for an event is in motion, planners must worry about how they will reach attendees and prospective attendees to be present at their charity's next big fundraiser. The most effective event planners know that modern event-goers are glued to computer and cell phone screens. That is why a survey which asks for event goers' preferred means of event notifications shows that Email and word of mouth are the most effective means for reaching out.

The survey mentioned above proves that email is clearly the most effective and cost efficient way to reach a large constituency quickly. But it also shows word of mouth as the second most effective way, proving that human interaction and personal connections play a vital role in convincing people to attend events. However, you still have more options if you include Facebook and Twitter, two online social networking sites that are steadily expanding every year. Facebook and Twitter are the third and fourth most effective means of communication according to the survey.

Invest a little time. Since more than 81% of the survey's respondents said that Facebook is effective and 32.8% said that Twitter is effective, there is no reason your charity should not be on these sites! Since they are free of charge, set up pages, groups, and accounts today for your organization as well as for all your upcoming events. Extend invitations to all your board and committee members. Be sure to ask them to turn right around and invite their own sets of contacts to join. Also, invite any attendees from previous years' events rosters. Expanding your prospective charitable event attendee network has never been easier.

Almost instantly, you'll leverage two of the most popular and effective Internet networking tools to shore up your base, promote your events, and inform people about the good work your organization does. And if you continue to send out emails and spread excitement for your charity and its events by word of mouth, you'll be in great shape for your next event. Check out the benefits of Facebook pages for organizations by looking at marketing tools available on different websites and even online ticketing websites. Join the group and you will receive frequent event updates, be able to look at various picture albums, and communicate with other charities or event goers in minutes!

There are many tasks that a host must accomplish for an event to be considered successful. These include finding the most appropriate venue for the gathering, renting out chairs, tables and other necessary fixtures, and choosing the right decorations and music, to name a few. However, among all of the responsibilities of an event host, the most important is selecting a really good catering service. No matter how picturesque the venue and d矇cor may be, an event that serves unsavoury food is bound to leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Finding exceptional caterers may be difficult because of the sheer number of catering companies in the area, and this may be even more complicated for newcomers to this city. To help party hosts find a good food provider for their guests, listed below are some tips on finding the best catering:

Consider your needs. This is the most important step in finding a catering service as knowing exactly what you need will help make the search much smoother and faster later on. The most important things to consider are the following: the date, time and venue of the event, your budget, and the number of people that will attend. You should also determine specific factors such as type of cuisine, provisions for individuals with special dietary needs, and whether you will be hosting a cocktail or sit-down dinner before you call and inquire with chosen caterers.

Compile a list of caterers in your area. A caterer that is situated nearby is the best choice because this setup is already very convenient. A good way to get a list of exceptional caterers is by asking trusted friends and family for recommendations or by consulting party planners. If you have attended events that served great food, inquire about the caterers for that event. Also consider your favourite restaurants as some may in fact be offering catering services.

Check credentials and specialty. Now that you have a list of caterers in the area, the next step is to research them one by one. Eliminate caterers that do not satisfy your requirements for type of cuisine and budget. However, do make allowances for budget as it is better to hire a pricier caterer than settle for one that does not fulfil your conditions. Also, check each establishment's licenses, registration status, and whether the company has any history of complaints and how these were dealt with. Once you have reduced the list to a manageable few, you can then call them to make more specific inquiries.

Ask about availability and services. The most important things to ask are availability and additional services. Make sure to clarify details about food presentation, the menu, rate of service and mode of payment. The experts in catering event hosts hire should have a solid work relationship with their clients to ensure the success of the event.

Meeting planners who negotiate successfully all have one thing in common: They know the value of their meeting from the hotel's perspective. All too often, planners make the mistake of assuming that because their annual convention is valuable to their organization, it must be valuable to the property. But that's not always the case.

Remember that a piece of business is only valuable to a hotel if it provides profit -- maximum profit, if possible. (The value of your meeting drops, for example, if any other group wants the same dates and is willing to pay a higher room rate or provide more food and beverage revenue.) So be sure to thoroughly analyze every aspect of your event -- just the way a hotel sales manager would. The result will be power and confidence at the negotiating table. Here are seven major areas to consider in your analysis:

1. Corporate or Association Influence

Corporate meetings can be more attractive to hotels than association meetings for several reasons. For starters, they're typically short-term and yield a higher average daily rate. Corporations also usually spend more on food and beverage than associations and are much better at estimating their room pickup since attendance is often mandatory.

On the other hand, corporations tend to cancel their meetings more frequently. Associations rarely cancel because their bylaws generally require them to convene once a year and their annual meetings are, more often than not, their biggest revenue-generating events of the year. In addition, association meetings are often booked many years out, allowing hotels to forecast future years much better. An association's annual meeting also can offer more guest room nights -- a hotel's largest profit area.

2. Number of Room Nights

You may think that the more room nights you can offer a hotel, the stronger your negotiating leverage will be. But that's not necessarily a given. More important than the number of room nights is how those room nights fit into the business mix of the hotel. The transient market has been on the rise for the past several years, resulting in an overall drop in the number of rooms committable for the group market. So, in certain instances, a large meeting may actually be too large for a particular property's group block allotment.

Fortunately, the number and variety of mid-range hotels geared toward the transient market (Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inns, Hilton Garden Inn, etc.) is also on the rise, which means group room blocks are slowly inching their way back up again.

3. Season

Most properties have three seasons. During high season, hotels typically have occupancy rates of 90 percent or better and, as a result, have little incentive to be flexible and make rate concessions. During shoulder season, occupancy rates usually fall between 70 percent and 89 percent, giving you a bit more negotiating power. You have the most bargaining leverage in low season, when occupancy dips below 70 percent and properties are pretty much willing to "do whatever it takes" to book the business. (Low season conditions also can occur when a hotel is hit with a short-term cancellation and needs to fill the hole quickly.)

A hotel's seasons most often correspond with the seasons of the year. In Florida, for example, winter is high season and summer (especially August) is low season. But a hotel's "seasons" also correspond with the days of the week. At most downtown and airport hotels, for instance, high season is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; off season is Friday and Saturday; and shoulder season is Sunday and Monday.

At resorts, high season is generally dictated by the weather and its relationship to the resort's recreation focus. May through September could be high season at a midwestern resort, low season at a desert resort, and shoulder season at a ski resort. (In gaming destinations like Las Vegas, weekends are high season and weekdays are shoulder season.) And if you meet over a holiday, you are definitely in low season at most hotels.

4. Food and Beverage

Food and beverage has gone from being a break-even line item for hotels in the '70s and early '80s to their second-largest profit center. So the more F&B revenue you can offer a property, the more valuable your piece of business becomes. Using post-convention reports, calculate exactly how much your meeting is worth to the hotel in terms of food and beverage dollars. Don't forget to include "hidden" revenues from affiliated groups, hospitality suites, exhibit floor concessions, and other trackable revenues that a hotel may be able to provide. After tallying up these miscellaneous sources of revenue, you may discover that you have more negotiating clout than you initially thought.

5. Space Requirements

Ideally, the amount of meeting space you need to book should be proportionate to the number of rooms you need to block. If you're blocking 100 rooms in a 500-room hotel, but require all of the function space, for example, your event is not going to be perceived as valuable because it leaves the property with no space to sell to another group. If you find yourself in this position, look for ways to reduce your space requirements. Perhaps you can use your general session room for lunch. Or maybe you really don't need 16 concurrent breakout sessions.

6. Pattern

Your arrival/departure pattern should fit into the group pattern of the hotel -- historically Sunday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Sunday. If your convention falls into one of these time frames, its value automatically increases. If you want to arrive on Tuesday and depart on Saturday, however, its value significantly decreases since the property would most likely have to break apart a standard date pattern before and after your meeting.

7. Opportunities for Ancillary Revenues

The more opportunities you create for your attendees to spend money, the greater the value of your business to a hotel. Properties in gaming destinations love to see open afternoons and evenings. Resorts want your attendees to utilize their spa, golf course, and other extras. If your program runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., the hotel knows those facilities will not be utilized. Other areas to consider are in-house service providers such as a destination management company or audio-visual company, which typically give a portion of their revenues to the property.

Once you have a handle on the true value of your meeting to the hotel, you are ready to negotiate. Begin by compiling two lists: one of your needs (items that are not negotiable) and one of your wants (items that you would like to augment your event). An example of "needs" might be a specific number of guest rooms, a rate no higher than $140 a night, a general session room that seats 1,500 people, and 12 breakout rooms accommodating 200 people each theater-style. Your "wants" might include a complimentary breakfast for your board of directors, limo transportation for your keynote speaker, and six suite upgrades. Always negotiate your needs first. If the hotel can't meet these basic requirements, move on to the next property on your list. When negotiating your wants, remember that the hotel has to turn a profit. Your "wish list" should be reasonable, based on the value of your meeting, and not so extensive that the hotel decides to take another piece of business over yours. Also keep in mind the three main factors that come into play when negotiating with a hotel or any other supplier: 1) time, 2) information, and 3) power.

Time

Recognize time as an investment. Don't expect to select the site for your next meeting in a day. (There may be times when your meeting fits well into the first destination you call, but don't expect this to happen often.) Expect to invest a significant amount of time researching various destinations and properties as well as analyzing the value of your meeting. Only then will you be able to negotiate successfully. Listen for key indicators to get the upper hand. Every salesperson has performance goals. So if a hotel sales manager indicates a sense of urgency by saying, "I could really use the contract back by the end of the week" or "What is it going to take to get this done by the 26th?," it most likely means that he needs your piece of business to meet a quota or secure his performance bonus. As a result, those few remaining contract points or concessions that you still haven't obtained may be in reach if you can address the hotel's need to close the deal quickly.

Remember, this works in reverse too. If you are behind schedule in selecting a site for your annual convention and tell the sales manager that you need to sign a contract by the end of the week, don't expect to close the conversation and be successful with: "And by the way, can I have three more dollars off the rate and six limo transfers?"

You set the clock. Don't allow time to become your enemy. Never begin the process of negotiations or allow someone else to force you into a scenario where, due to lack of time, you agree to unfavorable terms just to get it done. At the same time, don't draw the process out once you have a fair agreement.

Concessions are made when time is running out. A sales manager has no added incentive to make concessions at the start of the negotiation process when he knows you are looking at seven cities and 21 hotels. He does have incentive, however, when he is one of three finalists and this is the last shot at earning your business...and if he thinks you may walk away from the negotiating table if your requests aren't met. Very few hotels, after all, are willing to lose an important piece of business based on two suite upgrades or not wanting to provide a complimentary newspaper delivery.

Information

Know their business. Before you can sell the hotel on the value of your meeting, you need to know how the hotel makes its money and what its "hot buttons" are. (Did you know, for example, that the profit margin on hotel rooms can be 70 percent or more, food can be in the low 20-percent area, and beverages are over 70 percent?) Only then can you show the strengths of your meeting and how it fills the hotel's needs. Ultimately, only meeting planners who provide the best historical data on their events that address the overall value of their meeting to the hotel get the best deals. Know your meeting. A sales manager who has been in the industry for six months may not be familiar with your organization or understand the significance of your piece of business. As a result, it's up to you to continually prove the worth of your meeting.

Power

Volume. The more business you can give the hotel, the more negotiating power you have. If you can book two meetings -- the annual convention and perhaps a board of directors meeting, for example -- you will have more leverage than a planner looking at the same dates who can only offer the property one event. If you know you have or can influence multi-year bookings or multiple meetings, bring these to the negotiating table.

Competition. If a sales manager thinks there's no competition, there's no reason to offer you the best possible rate or make any other concessions. On the other hand, if a hotel knows it's competing against two or three properties, it will be much more likely to sharpen its pencil to offer you the best deal possible. If too many hotels are in the final running, however, a property will be less likely to compete aggressively.

Flexibility. The ability to be flexible automatically puts you in a position of power. If you can change your dates slightly, add another food and beverage function, live without 24-hour holds on all meeting space, or switch from classroom to theater-style seating, you may very well boost the value of your piece of business.

The ability to walk away. Even when both parties have done everything they can to attempt to create a win/win situation, you may still find yourself short of your negotiation goals. You must be willing to walk away. Remember, every hotel has a "walk-away rate" as well.

How important is sustainability in the world of corporate event planners these days? According to an annual survey of global meeting and event professionals, increasingly so. The platform Future Watch indicates that more than 40% of these event planners say they are totally committed to weaving that shade of green into the body of their events.

Environmental responsibility has been cited as a significant challenge by top corporate CEOs around the world in other recent surveys. While there may not be such a strong push toward the regulation of carbon emissions in our delicate economy these days, organizations nevertheless see the benefit - both from an internal and an external perspective - of going green.

Corporate event planners who work for very environmentally conscious clients need to be able to go the extra distance and make sure that they apply stringent standards throughout their own supply chain. In other words this means that they have to reach out to venue providers, such as hotels to see just how environmentally responsible they are, in turn. The planners need to be able to incorporate the use of elements that recognize the value of sustainability. They need to be able to use renewable fuel sources where at all possible.

Many events use high levels of disposables and recycling simply must be a top priority. Organic foods should be selected for banquet functions and waste should be avoided at all costs. For example, bottles of water should not be set out for participants as a matter of course, but should be available as and when needed.

Many forward reaching venues are going out of their way to ensure that they are sustainable. They realize that their clients in turn demand this and make sure that they trumpet the availability of energy saving initiatives and other sustainable practices.

Corporate event planners have to tread a very delicate line between the greenback and the green meeting. Budgets are under a lot of pressure and financial conformity does not always, automatically, walk in lockstep with the need to be sustainable.

It's certainly a good idea for event planners to familiarize themselves with all current and emerging trends in this area and to be ready and willing to incorporate environmentally responsible elements. Its no longer gimmicky or "cool" but an integral part of the industry. Ignore at your peril, but tread cautiously to make sure that you don't make any hasty declarations or assumptions!

Many organizations face the challenge when conducting events that there is little transition from event to event, and few of the planners continue to be involved from year to year. Because of this, and the fact that many organizations seem to under-estimate precisely what is involved or needed in coordinating and planning an event, many times individuals with little experience (and even less expertise) take the lead.

Often, this creates a situation where things that should be repeated are not, and things that need tweaking or revamping are neglected and/ or overlooked. Events and organizations are not a one- size-fits all scenario. In most cases, each organization has its unique set of needs, peculiarities, specifications, and customs. If an inexperienced planner simply tries to "copy" what he's seen somewhere else (and liked), it often is not received the same way. It is for that reason that when an organization plans an event, it is essential that all involved have a clear cut idea and vision of the needs, reasons, etc. of that particular event.

1. In most cases, running an event, especially a multi-day event like a conference or convention, must be a balancing act between the financial aspect and the program itself. Professional event planners should be, and are in most cases, trained to create balance and harmony by emphasizing the theme of "perceived" value, which is what an attendee or potential attendee perceives as most essential and valuable. Professional planners are generally capable of tweaking menus to create the best possible balance between value financially and a well received event. Many novices, for example do not spend sufficient amounts of time creating a well formulated flow sheet, or paying particular attention to details.

2. In many cases, the key to a successful event begins with the negotiations. While even the foremost negotiations will not guarantee a successful event, a poor result from the negotiations will generally spell disaster for that event. Professional event planners prioritize their negotiations with what is most important to the organization that they are representing, instead of just going after the usual and customary concessions and agreements. How important is food and beverage for this event? Where is the price line where price becomes a resistance or sticking point? How many of the attendees will require accommodations and what is the major consideration (price, room, amenities)? How about audio-visual needs?

Event planning is rarely as easy as it appears to the casual observer. Inexperienced organizers often err by over- weighing their personal likes and dislikes, as opposed to what is most important the organization and/ or the potential attendees. A great event planner not only has considerable experience, but more importantly essential expertise. In addition, the best event planners must always be effective listeners.