Event Planning Tips, From the Experts
Top 5 Must-Haves for Every Event Planner
QC tutor Regina Young is the owner and creative director of Meant2Be Events, a top Arizona wedding planning firm that manages 30-40 weddings each year.
Looking back at starting my business more than a decade ago, I would have killed for a list of “must-haves” as a wedding planner. Now, there is nothing more valuable than the school of hard knocks when it comes to learning—but you were smart enough to have a course at QC to get some foundational information. I, on the other hand, learned a lot of necessities the hard way. Take it from me, some of this info came at a pretty high cost. The stories I have would knock your socks off. So let me spare you some pain…
Here are some absolute, no holds, must-haves as a professional wedding planner.
1. Professional pictures on your website.
I know we live in a day and age where your iPhone can substitute you having a personal camera. But it will never suffice as images for a portfolio. If you can’t get professional pictures of your work, are you really a professional? Consider this: the people that hire you want to have confidence in your expertise. An expert would have a stunning gallery of their work as an example. Totally wish I had worked on that more before launching my first website.
2. Business insurance.
Yep, learned this one the hard way. Just wait until you have an aunt fall on a dance floor like I did. You’ll wish you had taken this advice! Of course, I won the case—I’m not responsible for her 2 left feet!
3. A fabulous emergency kit.
It will grow, rest assured. But I have learned to keep the rarely used in my car, and the often used in my bag—easily accessible. Of course, the “used every time” items I gift to the couple on their wedding day. Now no one has to ask me for a tampon or a bobby pin in the middle of a band rehearsal or while assessing a delivery.
4. Get ordained.
Yes, you guessed it. I had a judge not show up for a ceremony. Thankfully it was their friend and not my referral. But guess who was smart enough to have their ceremony vows and was ordained online. This wedding planner!
5. A third pair of shoes.
I usually had two pairs. One to run around in, the other to be more formal for ceremony. Well when my “work” shoes broke there was no way I was making it 10 hours in heels running miles and miles around the venue. I had to run out and find another pair of flats. Now I keep a third pair of shoes in the car, just in case!
You’ll soon also have a list of learned lessons in your career. I promise you will look back 10 years later like I do and laugh at some of the ridiculous things you have had to deal with in your journey as a wedding and event planner. There will be bumps and bruises, I can promise you that. But just think of all the happy tears you are responsible for too! What a gift?!
Cheers!
SO helpful!!! 🙂 funny story about that business insurance! Ha!