***JJ_sbride***

destinie_87

I know you're a successful event planner, and I'd like a little more info if you'd be willing to give me some! I'm thinking of starting event planning on the side and would like some pointers!

how hard was it to get started? did you/ do you work solely to start? what was/is the hardest part? did you create some sort of "portfolio" to show prospective clients? Did you have to get a business license, etc?

ANY and ALL info you'd like to share, I would love! Thanks!

jj_sbride

destinie_87:

Hi Destinie!

Thanks for the page. I answered below!

I know you're a successful event planner, and I'd like a little more info if you'd be willing to give me some! I'm thinking of starting event planning on the side and would like some pointers!

how hard was it to get started? it just naturlaly started on its own after I would host party after party also doing all my friends weddings and showers. I am on staff at our church and do all the events there and people started hiring me for private functions. I have 10 years experience as a wedding manager in the hotel industry so that helped a lot too.

did you/ do you work solely to start? I stopped working a 9-5 job almost 19 months ago when I had the Munch. This was a natural outlet for me. I have about 2-3 events a month and I just landed a big contract with a hotel to do all of their amenities which are basically baskets that are sent to high end guests. I only book what fits into my schedule.

what was/is the hardest part? I think the hardest part is putting some of your own money and time into it in the beginning. You have to spend some to make some is so true. When I knew my work would be on display for potential bigger clients, I would offer my services for free. Also shadowing a wedding or an event planner without compensation is a great way to see things first hand and to see if its really something you are cut out for.

did you create some sort of "portfolio" to show prospective clients?
I have a friend that is a professional photog that shot about 5 of my weddings. I have a grouping of pictures from him I would send over to a potential client for them to see. Now I refer people to my blog. I'm pretty laid back about things. It really depends on your area how much of a portfolio you want to put together. I recomend a simple website/blog layout you can send people to.

Did you have to get a business license, etc? I got my DBA name awhile back and I am in the process of getting my license renewed. Here is a great site with tons of info.

The thing I would recommend most is to shadow someone that already does this professionally or get a P/T job working at a hotel as a banquet server or wedding coordinator. 
Sit down and write out a business plan. Here is a site that give a very structured layout. I would basically take the bullet points of it.
Its important to base your goals on your strengths/weanesses. Do you hate being around kids? Then don't offer kids parties. Do you love weddings? Then what is the minimum and maximum number of people for a wedding you are willing to handle? When I 1st started I would not do a wedding for more than 75 people. I just knew I couldn't handle more than that on my own.
Now that I have more experience I can take groups up to 500 because I have people that work for me that I trust.

Good luck with your venture. Its very rewarding and fun. Give it time and be flexible. Be someone that adds life to the party. Make people feel welcomed and important.

If you take good care of everyone, the people that hired you will be over the moon when they hear it from their guests.
Let me know if you have any other questions!

ANY and ALL info you'd like to share, I would love! Thanks!

destinie_87

Thank you SOO much! You have no idea how helpful this is to me! I have been planning parties and such for friends and family for a while now but it's always been for fun. I hosted a "surprise" going away party for DH and I's best friends. He asked me to throw them a party with all their family and friends so he could propose in front of them ( I think you helped me with that actually!) It was last friday and it was wonderful! Everyone had a great time and I was told many times I should do event planning, so after thinking about it, I decided to give it a shot!
I actually am a general manager of a hotel right now, so I have that under my belt to help! It's not a large hotel, it is a large chain, but we don't really do a ton of events or anything.

My friend (who just got engaged) asked me to plan her wedding and I agreed so I could get the experience and use this as help!
I also have a really good friend who is starting a photography business and is willing to shoot my events!

Hearing your experience and how you got started gives me hope! I keep changing my mind that I can't do it, then I can, no I can't, yes I can...!

I'm sure I'll be paging you in the future with more questions if you don't mind! thanks again, this is a huge help!!!!!!