Tips for Shooting Great Video

With your camcorder of choice in hand, it’s time to venture off and shoot videos. If you’re new to videography, following these tips will help you create better videos. If you’re an old hand, think of this list of shooting axioms as a way to snap out of your routine and juice things up a bit:

Get a closing shot

Your closing images are what stick in people’s minds. You should be constantly on the lookout for that one shot or sequence that best wraps up your story.

Get an establishing shot

An establishing shot sets a scene in one image. Although super-wide shots work well (aerials in particular), consider other points of view: from the cockpit of a race car, a close-up of a scalpel with light glinting off its surface, or paddles dipping frantically in roaring white water. Each grabs the viewer’s attention and helps tell your story.

Shoot plenty of video

Videotape is cheap and expendable. Shoot a whole lot more raw footage than you’ll put in your final production. Five times as much is not unusual. Giving yourself that latitude might help you grab shots you would have missed otherwise.

Adhere to the rule of thirds

It’s called the “rule of thirds” but it’s more like the rule of four intersecting lines. When composing your shot, think of your viewfinder as being crisscrossed by two horizontal and two vertical lines. The center of interest should fall along those lines or near one of the four intersections, not the center of the image.

Consider all those family photos where the subject’s eyes are smack dab in the center of the photo. Those are not examples of good composition.

Another way to follow the rule of thirds is to look around the viewfinder as you shoot, not just stare at its center. Check the edges to see whether you’re filling the frame with interesting images. Avoid large areas of blank space.

Keep your shots steady

You want to give viewers the sense that they’re looking through a window or, better yet, are there on location. A shaky camera shatters that illusion.

When possible, use a tripod. The best “sticks” have fluid heads that enable you to make smooth pans or tilts.

If it’s impractical to use a tripod try to find some way to stabilize the shot: Lean against a wall, put your elbows on a table, or place the camcorder on a solid object.

Follow the action

This might seem obvious, but keep your viewfinder on the ball (or sprinter, speeding police car, surfer, conveyor belt, and so on). Your viewers’ eyes will want to follow the action, so give them what they want.

One nifty trick is to use directed movement as a pan motivator. That is, follow a leaf’s progress as it floats down a stream and then continue your camera motion past the leaf—panning—and widen out to show something unexpected: a waterfall, a huge industrial complex, or a fisherman.

 

Choose your lenses

Just like traditional DSLRs, you have the option of attaching third-party lenses to your mobile device. While you are putting a lens on top of a lens (your phone’s lens or lenses), you can expand the capabilities of your mobile device. Depending on the manufacturer, it might be necessary to buy a case for your phone with threading for your lenses, but it is worth the investment. Here are a few lens options:

• Anamorphic: Yes, that is right. You can shoot anamorphic footage on your mobile device. You might even get some nice lens flares as you shoot. You will need to be sure to desqueeze the footage but FilmicPro offers this option within the app.
• Wide angle: A wide-angle lens will allow you to capture more of your scene than your in camera lens.
• Telephoto: A telephoto lens will let you zoom in around 2x. This is great for capturing subjects from a distance. Stick with the higher-end Moment tele lens.

Use stabilizers

Most mobile devices have some built-in stabilization but with secondary lenses and an audio kit, you might want to invest in a stabilization rig. There are a few different options, which we’ve detailed below:

• Tripods: Consider using a tripod. You can purchase a simple attachment for your mobile device or purchase a mobile-specific tripod.
• Phone cages: A cage is another great low-tech way to stabilize your footage. You can attach your audio equipment to your cage, and it will allow you to move freely and shoot decent handheld footage.
• Gimbals: The most high-tech option for stabilization is a gimbal. A gimbal is a motorized device with three separate motors that controls the direction and movement of your camera – in this case, your phone. You can get really smooth footage with a gimbal.

Now you’re ready to shoot professional-looking mobile videos that will wow your clients and viewers alike.

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Put Your Camera Down

I know it’s scary to put your camera down in public (because thieves), but if you want to get great shots, you’re probably going to have to. This will not only give you the freedom to do whatever it is you have to do in front of the camera without being tethered to it but it will also allow you to diversify your compositions.

Framing is Important

Speaking of composition, it’s super important if you’re one-man-banding it. Isn’t it always important? Yeah, but if you’re filming yourself, you may not realize that you’re limiting the kinds of shots you can get…most likely because you’re holding your camera all the time. (Think about how uniform selfies are.) So, approach these compositions in the same way you would a narrative film. Try different angles, focal lengths, blocking, etc.

Use Your Arms

Duh, right? But use your arms in unexpected ways. Get some sweet tracking shots of your feet by holding your camera out below your waist. Get some subtle dolly shots by pulling your arms in slowly. There are tons of interesting camera moves you can pull off with just your arms, but if you want a little extra help, you might want to think about getting yourself a handheld gimbal or GorillaPod.

 

Choose the Right Camera Settings

• Shutter Speed

When setting up your camera to shoot video, the first thing you need to do is make sure your shutter speed is set at double your frame rate. For example, if you are filming at 50 fps (frames per second), your shutter speed should be 1/100. A frame rate of 24 fps with a shutter speed of 1/48 or 1/50 will give your footage a smooth cinematic look and feel. Higher frame rates, such as 60 fps with a shutter speed of 1/120, will allow you to slow down your footage at the editing stage and create ultra-smooth slow motion scenes.

• Aperture

Your aperture setting controls how much of your frame is in focus. A low aperture such as f/2.8 will help you emphasise your subject and create a professional-looking blurry background. If you want to make sure as much of your scene is in focus as possible, use a high aperture like f/10 or f/22.

• ISO

Once you have your shutter speed and aperture dialled in you can select an ISO setting to suit. Remember that the higher your ISO number is, the more grain you will introduce to your footage.

 

Work with the Light Available to You

When shooting subjects in the great outdoors, it’s important to consider your light sources when planning and framing your shots. For example, if you’re shooting at the beach, it’s recommended not to shoot with strong sunlight beaming directly into your subject’s face. This can result in glary looking footage with overly bright subjects who are forced to squint into the camera. Instead, seek out indirect lighting to create a more balanced look. You can do this by filming your subject with the light directly behind them or from the side. You can also shoot in the shade and use light reflectors to bounce light back on to your subject.

Switch Between Handheld and Tripod Shots

Using a tripod or gimbal can help you shoot perfectly smooth and steady video footage without any camera shake whatsoever. If your camera lens has image stabilisation then you can also shoot handheld footage to create a more dynamic look and feel. Handheld shots aren’t generally as smooth as tripod or gimbal shots, but they can add a sense of movement and emotion to your footage. If you plan to edit your footage, it’s also worth remembering that you can smooth out any shaky handheld footage in post-production.

How does a photo booth work?

When you’re organising an event that you want your guests to enjoy at the time and also remember for years to come, a photo booth is a perfect way to make those memories. Not only does the idea of taking a special photo give people the inspiration and motivation to get creative, but the pictures are the perfect keepsake from any special event.

Photo booths are becoming increasingly popular with people who want to add something special to their event. Hiring a photo booth for your wedding or your party is a great inclusion and can be a great way to create memories. They also make great additions to charity events, proms and team-building events as well.

What is a photo booth?

A photo booth is a chance for guests to take the ultimate selfie at an event. No more lopsided, blurry images were taken by people whose arms aren’t quite long enough to fit everyone in, a photo booth is a perfect way to take a picture of an individual or a group that everyone can enjoy.

You can set up your photo booth wherever you want, so you can encourage your guests to take pictures as they arrive, set up a spot where they will be able to gather in groups or catch people as they move from one area to another.

Unlike organised activities or planned entertainment, a photo booth can be used at any time during the event, so guests can wait till the mood strikes or take a moment when they are surrounded by friends to capture a special moment.

 

Size of photo booth

Pixpod photo booths are 1.87m (6’2”) long, 1.99m (6’6”) tall and 1.26m (4’1”) wide, so you will need a flat space around 3m (10ft) squared to set one up with room for a small table next to the pod and space for your guests to gather around and wait their turn.

You may think that your choice of venue rules out using a photo booth, but you might be surprised at where they can be delivered. Photo booths are transported in wheeled flight cases and boxes which can fit through any standard door, meaning that even the most intimate venue can accommodate one quite happily. So long as the ceiling is at least two meters high, and there is a spare 13 amp power socket available, you can have a photo booth almost anywhere.

Photo booths take four pictures, four seconds apart and within 20 seconds you have a high quality 6×4” image in your hand.

 

Special Effects

There are plenty of special effects available to personalise your photo booth from our library of different backdrops, or you can use your company logo or a scene specially designed for your event.

A photo booth can be set up to your specification, with props, accessories and green screens that will really add to the fun. You can have custom printing on the edge of your pictures, order additional sets of prints, view all images online after the event or even project the pictures from the booth so that the images can entertain your guests as they are taken during your event.

There are a number of different pods to choose from, including plain black or white, sparkly pink and blue and even leopard print, so you can choose a booth which will complement your event’s theme or colour scheme. You can also choose from a range of full-sized props to give your photos that little something extra.

Even with an official photographer, cameras on tables and guests taking their own pictures, it can sometimes be difficult to get the kind of pictures that you really want. A photo booth is a perfect way to ensure that you get plenty of pictures of your guests having a great time at your event so you can create lasting memories for everyone involved.

 

Why rent a photo booth?

Having a photo booth at your event will be the ultimate hit and life of the party! Our photo booth provides a very unique and entertaining experience that everyone, from young and old, will enjoy! The photo booth print your guests take home will serve as a great reminder and party favor of your event.

What are the dimensions of the photo booth?

The booth itself is adjustable. We can be as small as 6 ft x 6 ft or as large as 8 ft x 8 ft. The height is always 7 ft. Additional space is required for a table for the memory book and prop box. Generally speaking we would need 15ft x 20ft place for the booth.

How many people can fit in the photo booth?

A lot, that is why we are so popular! Five to six people can fit comfortably in the booth. We have experienced 8-10 people in the booth at one time. Our record is 21!

 

Do you use a closed booth or an open air photo booth?

Typically we use a closed booth, meaning there are four walls around the photo booth.  We have the option to do both styles, so just ask.

Does the photo booth print out photos immediately?

Yes, we always print your photos! Instant gratification is a very important part of the fun factor and DY Photobooth prints your photos every time! After your guests leave the photo booth, their pictures will be ready in about 15 seconds. Our high resolution prints are high gloss and excellent quality.

How many copies of the photo strip do we get when we take a photo?

Everyone who is in the photo, gets a photo, every time!  At DY Photobooth, we feel that a photo booth is not really a photo booth if you don’t have the photo strip to take home with out… then it would just be a photo shoot.  We offer an instant gratification with a copy of the photo strip for each person taking a photo. How fun is that?!

What You Should Be Looking for in a Wedding Planner

every bride needs someone reliable to lean on when it comes to planning a kickass wedding. Often that means going beyond your family and friends and hiring a professional. So, how can you find a good wedding planner match: someone with the same priorities and overall vision? Here’s what to consider when interviewing potential wedding planners.

A Free Consultation

A face-to-face meeting is imperative when it comes to hiring a wedding planner. Seeing someone’s work online or having a good phone conversation is one thing, but meeting them in person and really getting to know them can confirm or challenge what you might have already thought. “Professional wedding planners will offer a free consultation so they can get to know you and your wedding vision and determine if they’re a good fit for you,” says Kinsey Roberts of Vista View Events.

The Planner’s Personality

It’s super important that you find someone whose personality clicks with yours, says Viva Max Kaley of Viva Max Weddings. Just think about how much you’ll be communicating with and seeing this person throughout a potentially stressful wedding planning process. “They’re going to be a part of your life in a very saturated way for a short amount of time,” Kaley says. So you’ll want to be sure you’re very comfortable with your planner and how they listen to you and speak to you. There should be a solid rapport and an element of trust there.

The Planner’s Individual Background or Experience

Each planner has their own unique skillset and some may be better suited to the type of wedding you’re hoping to plan. “If you’re very focused on design, colors, and floral—and you know you want help from someone who’s also very visual—it would make sense to choose someone whose background aligns with your needs,” Kaley advises. Or if food is your first priority, then a planner who knows the ins and outs of the catering business or used to be a chef might be a good choice. Of course, many planners have a diverse body of experience to draw from, but you should try to work with one who also emphasizes the aspects that you think are the most important.

What Services Are Included

Spend a little time thinking about what services you’ll need for your wedding, then find a planner who can fulfill those needs. Some planners offer all-encompassing packages whereas some are more a la carte. You may only need a day-of coordinator to help everything run smoothly, or you may prefer an expert to help walk you through every step of the way while planning your big day.

 

How to Choose Vendors

choosing which vendors to hire for your event is a bit like choosing which buddies you want on your kickball team. The stakes are high, the decision is final, and the stories of what happens next could live on for a long time. But assemble the right coalition of vendors, and you’ll have an event that will impress them all—even your childhood kickball nemesis

Make a Short List in Short Order

The fastest way to narrow down the seemingly infinite list of your city’s event vendors? Vetting the quality of their operations from the quality of their online presence. Director of Operations Bryan Jayne says, “When choosing a vendor, the first thing I do is go on their website. How does it looks? Is it well designed? Are they showing original content and ideas? To me, putting thought and care into your website shows me you take yourself and your work seriously. In a world where most people’s first interaction with a person or business is a digital one, a good online presence is so important.”

Evaluate Reviews

Next, take your list of gut-check-friendly vendors to your favorite review site, like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau. Watch out for red flags, like frequent mentions of no-shows, or reports of inappropriate behavior. And look at pictures! Bryan explains, “It can get tricky trying to determine quality online, so I keep my eye out for as many photos as possible. And preferably real-world photos instead of studio shots.” Then ask around. Ask friends or colleagues who have done business with similar vendors to look at your list and give their thumbs up (or thumbs down) to any names that ring a bell.

Start a Conversation & Get a Quote

Now, reach out. Prepare a standard statement regarding your event. Include the date, event time, desired setup time, purpose, a number of guests, and any special needs. Then use your prepared statement to email all the vendors on your list. Take note not only of their answers but also their speed of response. Bryan says, “I ask myself, ‘What is the first person-to-person interaction like, whether digital, on the phone, or in-person? Are they eager to talk and hear about what you’re doing, or are they putting the onus on you? Do they have quick confident answers?’” Consider all of these factors in your evaluation.

Make a Spreadsheet

One of the trickiest pieces of the vendor selection process is keeping track of all the details. So take notes! Start a spreadsheet. If you’re working with a team, use Google Docs so you can collaborate more easily. Then make columns for vendor contact information, pricing, order minimums, staffing requirements, and additional details. Rate the vendor on a scale of 1–10. When you look back at your roster of options later, you’ll have an easier time making a decision.

 

How to Become an Event Planner

Good company makes for a memorable event, but the little details matter as well. Food, music, decorations and aesthetics are all important aspects of a quality party. If you’re the organized creative among your group of friends, hosting gatherings or planning nights out, you might want to channel that passion into a career.

You don’t have to be the life of the party to put together a successful soiree. In fact, many event planners prefer being “behind the scenes.” Those who can remain calm under pressure, think creatively and negotiate a good deal are the ones who will succeed in the industry. Here’s everything you need to know to start your career as an event planner.

The industry

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that event-planning jobs are due to grow by 10 percent by 2024, which is faster than average. According to an article by Entrepreneur, there are two distinct markets for event planners: the corporate market and the social market. Corporate planners are hired by companies to organize meetings, conferences and other work-related events. Social planners, on the other hand, cover weddings, birthday celebrations and other types of occasions.

Choosing your market

If you’re new to the business, it may be easier to get started in the social market. Not only are you more likely to find clients among friends and relatives for social events like weddings or graduation parties, you’ll also gain valuable experience in negotiating and organizing that will be useful in the high-pressure world of corporate planning

Sites for inspiration

Social media is crucial to becoming a successful event planner. Having a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and, of course, having your own website will expand your following and build your brand. It takes time to attract customers, so be patient while being consistent with posts and your other promotional activities online. When someone is satisfied with an event you planned for them, they can credit you on social media and recruit potential customers

 

Why You Should Choose an Event Planner

Planning an event whether it is organizing for a conference, seminar or trade show involves many hours and varying degrees of skillsets to get the job done successfully. Attempting to put together an event without the necessary skills, time and resources, can cause the total cost of your event to go over-budget. Hiring a professional event planner will leave you with peace of mind knowing that the event will be highly organized and well run.

Equipment

If your event will feature speakers, they will need equipment to enhance their presentations. The list of available equipment is numerous and setting up the equipment will be difficult if you are not familiar with them. Planners can reach out to vendors and technicians they work with to arrange for such things as hand and table microphones, projectors, video recorders, dimming lighting systems and PA systems. If your event has teleconferencing options, they can organize the necessary communication links.

Dining and Catering

It’s important to work closely with your caterer so they know what your plans are for the event.The caterer will be familiar with the location of the event and can plan an organized seating arrangement and layout of the food. Chairs, tables, tablecloths, dishes and cutlery can all be taken care of by the caterer, relieving you of all those stressful decisions. Dietary needs will need to be taken care for vegetarian guests, and food allergies will need to be taken into consideration when planning the menu

Overnight Guests

If you are planning a multi-day conference or trade show, out of town guests will need a place to stay. An event planner can arrange accommodations with local hotels or student housing at nearby campuses. Planners are experienced in negotiating special rates for your attendees and can block off rooms at hotels to ensure that no one is left without somewhere to stay. They can also organize transportation of guests to and from the event, especially if they are unfamiliar with the transportation options in your area.

Conclusion

Event planners are very detail oriented and live by their to-do lists. They can draw on their networking system and call upon contractors, vendors and suppliers to make your event successful. And most importantly, your guests will have a better event experience overall.

 

How to tell between a bad and a good event planner

What’s the difference between a good and a bad waiter? What’s the difference between a good and a bad Uber driver? What’s the difference between a good and a bad personalised T-shirts designer?

There are careers where it is easier to notice who’s excellent and who doesn’t deserve your tip, but then there are others where the layers make it harder to see the flaws. Event planning is one of those.

Here’s Printsome’s list of what makes a good event planner:

Event planners usually work in teams that make it harder to see who’s at fault. Then there are also the times when the backstage is hell but still the attendees leave satisfied because the production team was able to put on a veil over the problems. Is that still a good event planner?

Always has a plan B

C, D, E and F. When it’s live, it’s live and that usually means that anything can go wrong and when you least expect it. Good event planners always have a backup plan for anything from catering to technology. It’s never a bad idea to keep things like spare laptops, batteries and cables at hands-reach in case something fails at a crucial moment.

Has an extensive list of contacts

Throughout their career, event planners will come across with all kinds of customers with all kinds of needs. Having an extensive list of contacts in your address book will increase the odds of finding the best possible professional for each event — may that be a speaker, supplier or caterer — and satisfy even the pickiest of customers. There’s no such thing as knowing too many people, at least in this industry.

ADVANTAGES OF HIRING A CORPORATE EVENT PLANNER

Many people believe they have what it takes to pull off a successful event. However, many people do not have what it takes to deliver a memorable event. A corporate Event Planner can guarantee that your event is not only memorable but full of flair. Here are some of the benefits accrued from hiring a professional event planner.

You Can Cut Cost

Many people believe that event planners are expensive. Therefore, they opt to do the planning on their own thinking that they will save. Choosing a corporate Event Planner, however, helps you reduce cost since they can help you negotiate better charges for venues and public address systems. Many corporate event planner s have healthy relationships with suppliers, they are offered with discounts that you would otherwise not get. They can even offer you valuable advice on where to cut cost. See more on Conventions Management Blog.

Guarantees Timely Planning

Planning an event by yourself can be a challenging task especially if you are in full-time employment. Sometimes personal commitments may arise and might destruct you from planning a successful event. An event planner would otherwise plan an event that is on time. A dedicated corporate planner will go all the way to ensure that your event meets all the set deadlines, is full of flair and is within your budget.

 

EVENT PLANNERS MAKE SURE THAT DETAILS ARE COVERED

Everyone wants to host the best possible event. An event that’s remembered for all the right reasons. The kind that makes an impression, build a connection with guests and considered an overwhelming success by all those that attended. Pulling off an event that goes down as every attendees favorite ever takes a ton of skills, planning, and practice. Do you have all those skills? If not, turning to event professionals with years of experience, loads of great contacts and the necessary organizational skills, will ensure you and your guests won’t be disappointed.

EVENT PLANNERS ARE SAVE YOU GREY HAIRS & STRESS

Chances are that your daily responsibilities are enough to make the mere idea of planning an event seem overwhelming. How to make everything—from approving initial concepts to finalizing the evening’s schedule—is moving along on time? An event planner has got your back! One of the biggest perks of hiring an event planner is knowing that he or she has great organizational skills. From production timelines for the event to booking a venue on time, an event planner’s management is quite useful.

 

Knowledge/Experience

Over time, Event Planners gain extensive knowledge and wisdom regarding events and parties; they know the latest trends, newest venues, the hot colors, budget-saving secrets and details that you may not be aware of if you plan only one or two events annually. As well as having the experience and knowledge of how to organize an event, an event coordinator will have built up a large network of trusted local vendors and suppliers. It is unlikely they will struggle to find the right supplier for any type of event. They will complete a risk analysis and will know the areas that bring the highest risk to an event going wrong. They will also know exactly what to do to mitigate these risks to prevent them even happening.

Marketing the event

For social events, such as weddings, or birthday parties, there is no need to be concerned about marketing the event. For a larger event, perhaps a corporate event promoting a new product, or a non-profit gala where the goal of the event is to raise awareness, a guest list is a lot different. In these cases there is every need to ensure that the event is marketed effectively to ensure that your desired guests actually turn up. A professional event coordinator will have the relevant tools, knowledge and networks to ensure the event is a roaring success.

 

Your Event Planner Will Be There For You

In the process of planning your wedding, you’re certain to have ideas and questions. Having an event planner will allow you to ask those questions and bounce ideas off of someone who is an expert in the field. They can help you make the decisions to organize the wedding you’re envisioning. Also, their job doesn’t stop at planning. On the actual wedding day, you’ll have someone who is there to stay on top of things so that everything goes smoothly. You can truly savor the moments, dance the night away, and mingle with guests without worrying about forgetting a thing. In the event that something should come up, your event planner will be the one taking care of the issue so you don’t have to stress.

Industry Expertise And Fostered Relationships

Over time, event planners build up a list of vetted industry connections which they can tap into when planning your wedding. Since they’ve worked closely with these various vendors such as florists, bakers, makeup artists, photographers, bands, and so on, chances are your event planner will be able to not only find the perfect vendor for your specific wedding, but they can often get you a better deal than if you were to visit a vendor yourself. A wedding planner’s industry expertise allows them to stay on top of what is trending and what isn’t. Perhaps you wanted to go with silver flatware, but your event planner knows that gold would suit your wedding style better. A good wedding planner will be able to offer you sound advice on what to do, and when to do it.

 

Getting the Perfect Theme

If you’re in the mood for something unique or different at your party, you will want a party planner. These kinds of professionals are able to help you with certain themes or they can even offer alternatives or suggestions so that you’re going to be happy.

Professional Advice

A party planner will know the way to take all of your demands and wishes to heart when they’re making any necessary adjustments and tweaks. An experienced party planner will listen to you carefully, give their input, and always be realistic anytime it’s appropriate.

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.