Choosing an Event Planner 101

And be on your way to event success!

• In-Person Contact: First of all, you should always try and meet with your potential event planner face to face before any formal decisions are made. It’s hard to tell who someone is and what they’re really about over the phone. Personal meetings are generally more productive. Initial consultations should also always be free. Remember, you’re interviewing them for the job, not the other way around! After your meeting, are they easy to get hold of via phone or email? You will have many follow up questions as the plans for most events change day to day sometimes. You want an event planner to be there when you need them, and you want them to be easy to talk to as well. Then, of course, there’s always your instinct. Did you like them? Do you feel as though you can trust them? You’re going to be spending a lot of time with them so it’s important to connect with them on a personal level.
• Can You Hear Me?: A good event planner should always listen to you, hear your ideas and propose creative ways to make those ideas a reality. Whether it’s your theme, your event design, your menu options or your live entertainment requests, your event planner is there to make it happen. See how they listen to you, and whether or not they respect and support your vision. It should be about what you want, with their expert help and input!
• Qualifications Are Key: Also, how long have they been in the event planning business? Are they well connected? Do they have a solid track record of success? Can you easily access positive, reputable references from people who have worked with them in the past? These are important questions to ask. Do your research! Experience has shown us that building up good relationships with vendors, chefs and designers takes many years. Like any other business, these things really do take time! You want your event planner to have experience in the field and solid working relationships with the people who will bring your event to life. Successful event planning is a detail oriented, labor-intensive and strategic job. It requires both good management skills and a healthy dose of creativity. Trusting all of these things to just anyone who says they’re an event planner is not a good idea!