Tips to Help You Choose the Right Party Planner

You have decided to bring together family and friends for a great party this summer with the help of an event planner, but how can you know that you are choosing the right one? Party planners are a dime a dozen and unfortunately not all of them are as good as they claim to be. You cannot afford to take any chances – not only do you want to impress your guests, you also don’t want to waste money by hiring the wrong party planner. Before you make any decisions take the following into account:

• Do they have experience with the kind of party that you have in mind? There are many different kinds of parties that you can throw. You may choose to have a birthday party, a garden party, a neighborhood party, a dress-up party – it can be anything really. Just because an event planner is good at throwing one kind of party doesn’t necessarily mean that they do another kind. Before you sign any contracts find out whether the event planner has any experience with your kind of party.
• Get clarification on the services offered. There are some excellent party planners who will take care of everything from sending out invitations to making sure that guests are fed and the venue is cleaned, but there are others who only offer advice. You are better off with a comprehensive party planner even if you have to pay more.
• Find out what they can and cannot provide. The best event planners have everything that they need to throw a party. If they don’t have it they know where they can hire from. Make sure that your party planner can provide everything that is needed including plates and glassware, cutlery, service people, a DJ and everything else that will be needed to make your party a success.
• Find out whether they are able to work with the kind of menu that you have in mind. This is especially important if you plan to offer your guests a special menu. You can ask them to cook samples that you can taste beforehand.
• There will always be an unexpected guest at every good party – someone is bound to bring a plus one who you hadn’t included in your count. A good party planner plans for a few extras to ensure that everyone is catered for.

 

How to choose the best party planner here in Long Island New York or anywhere.

If you are wondering how to choose the best party planner here in Long Island or anywhere we have outlined some great tips here on this short page. When it comes to planning a party or special event there are a few things you should know that will help to make sure you have the best experience. The main goal is to make sure that you and your guests have as much fun as possible. Please take a quick read through the information below and you will find some very helpful tips on how to choose the best party planner for your next special event.

Do they have a good reputation as the best party planner in Long Island?

First and most importantly you always want to choose a party planner (or any kind of service provider) that has a good reputation. You can always check for reviews from real customers on (FB link – Google link – Yelp link) or other places. If you are looking for a company with a very good reputation we are here to help! Take a look at real reviews from happy Long Island Party People customers.

Are they an experienced party planning company?

Another very important thing you should do is make sure the party planner you choose has a lot of experience. How long have they been in business? What kind of parties do they have experience doing? Our team brings plenty of experience to every event we do. After 20 years of planning and executing all kinds of parties you can be sure that everything will go smooth and everyone will have as much fun as possible. Our team will do everything to make sure you and everyone at your party have a great time.

What party planning services do they offer?

Different companies offer different services and you always want to make sure the company you choose offers everything you are looking for. Are you just looking for DJ service? Are you looking for catering or a clown for your kids birthday party? Whatever service you are looking for we can help. LI Party People is happy to offer you premium service for all types of events.

What events do they provide service for?

Keep in mind that a wedding party is totally than a sweet 16. Some companies have a lot more experience providing service for specific events. Lucky for you our team here at Long Island Party People has plenty of experience working all kinds of events so you can be sure you are getting the best of the best.

Can they help you find the perfect location if you need it?

If you are looking for the perfect location some party planners can help you figure out and find the perfect venue for your event. Additionally, they might even be able to help get you the best price if they already have a relationship with that venue.

What are their fees?

This is a very important thing to consider. On one hand you always want to get the best price. But you also will get what you pay for. A good party company should be willing to offer a fair price and still deliver premium service. They should value your business and recognize that you and your guests will have plenty of future events. Here at Long Island Party People we look forward to making sure you and your guests have as much fin as possible. We also look forward to building a great relationship with everyone.

Who will be working your party? This is something most people dot think about until it is too late. Chances are that if the company has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation then you wont have to worry about this but just in case, you should always ask.

 

PARTY PLANNERS TOP 6 TIPS ON HOW TO THROW AN AWESOME PARTY!

Start planning early

You want this party to be one that lives long in the minds of your guests, so make sure you do it right – and that means no rushing! Part of our remit as party planners is to put together a realistic and achievable timeline.

Choose your theme

Now, this doesn’t have to mean a full on, dress up, Game of Thrones fest. (Although this is not uncommon)! Maybe just a colour, or one reference point relevant to the occasion. It helps to shape the visuals and the vibe.

Choose your venue carefully

Home or away is the real decision. If you have a house big enough to accommodate your guests then great – a garden marquee is also a fantastic option, and we are experts at transforming these bare spaces into oases of light, colour, fun, entertainment or whatever floats your boat! However, understandably it’s often not practical to entertain at home. So, make sure you find a venue that is fit for purpose. At Carmela Weddings and Events our experience means we have connections with a huge selection of venue options to suit every occasion!

Focus on what’s important

Every party is different and as experienced party planners we will always help you to prioritise the details of your event. Massive foodie? Get in some amazing suppliers – maybe street food vans, a hog roast or delicious bowl food. Music aficionado? We’ll help you choose the perfect entertainers, the ultimate party band or the DJ who really fits with your style. Cocktail lover? Why not create a bespoke cocktail bar, with original one off cocktails designed to perfectly tie in with your event. It’s our job as party planners to get to know you and ensure your event is authentic and fun!

Get the timings right

This is often overlooked, and is massively important. As much as we would all like to disagree, it’s not easy to party like an 18 year old when we’re, well, not 18 anymore! Choose start and finish times that will work for the demographic of your guests.

 

Tips on How To Become A Party Planner

You need to work in events to work in events, huh?!

Get as much experience as you can, in any and all event forms, from floristry, catering, awards, celebrations and everything in-between. If this means you need to volunteer your time at no fee, do so as this is the best investment you will ever make. If fortune favours you, work for a credible and experienced event planner or agencies. In the beginning I took a position at a venue conglomerate, half way through my career I took work at a caterer and then a global agency and recently at a well known hospitality chain. In short, how much you know and can action with confidence will get you more clients #FACT. This is a strict case of More is More. The more you know in every facet of events, the more you can do, manage and charge for your services.

Time to #LevelUp

This is the step where you stop being the horse and start being the rider. You ask for a promotion, a step up, take lead on an event. You need to go from Jack (or Jill) of all trades to a master of one. Choose a niche and focus on getting as much experience in that niche as possible. Later you can go back to a boutique of offerings to your clients but for now it’s all about mastery. Master an arena, a service, a type of event, then master what clients you want to work with, what vendors do they use, what venues, what magazines do they read and what party planners do they already work with? Time to become Dexter (the tv show of a serial killer, not the lab guy) and learn everything about your new niche. What are the best products? What are the best services to offer? Who is your target market, or avatar? Will you offer transparent pricing, free venue finding or full service event management?

Sharing is Caring/Show it or Lose it

Every photographer has a portfolio, every model a zed card. They say a picture can say a thousand words. So why not create places to showcase your work, start a newsletter, accounts on Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Share your success and allow others to do the same.

Fail to Plan or Plan to Fail

You do not need a business plan. It’s not the MUST HAVE everyone says it is. What you do need is a route to the client, and how much that is gonna cost you also known as Cost of Client Acquisition. How will you get your first client? How will you charge, get payment, pay others etc? Like all business you need to make sure what comes in is greater than what goes out. What are your expenses, operating costs, etc. (money going out)? Then look at different ways to get paid (money coming in) and different ways to charge for your event, such as: flat fee, percentage of expenses, charge for time spent AKA hourly rate, percentage of budget plus expenses occurred, companionable rate?

 

Event Planning Tips Every Budding Coordinator Needs to Know

Creativity is key

Communicator…check. Organizer…check. Artist…?

We put the time and effort into event design because experience matters. Stay creative by looking for inspiration outside of the events world.

Lean on your creative partners — like entertainers, furniture suppliers, and designers — who are responsible for the visual appeal of your event. Challenge them and be deliberate about every design detail.

Think like an anthropologist

If you manage events in cities across the country (or across the globe), you need to understand the culture and people in that location. Planning an event in LA? You better have a good grasp on the traffic situation. Consider the nature and demographic makeup of the city your event is in to avoid any serious oversights.

When choosing a destination, be conscious about the message it sends. Work with the CVB in the area to tie the culture of the community into the themes of your destination event.

Pics or it didn’t happen

How do you know you’ve designed a memorable event? One way is to find out if attendees are sharing photos or using your event hashtag on social media.

Design your event in a way that encourages interaction on social media. For example, create a pop-up photo booth, or paste the Instagram logo throughout the venue as a call-to-action.