Things you should never say to your event/wedding planner

As much as people think that event management is a glitzy, glamorous and rich industry to work in, little do they know about the amount of hard work, odd hours, stress and the most difficult clients that we have to deal with.
Here are some things that can make us roll our eyes or gape in stupefaction at our clients.

1.       We want it to be the best event ever but we don’t have a big budget- 

 Don’t we hear this from every other client! Very few understand what they are paying for. Everything comes with a price and if you’re looking for exclusivity, then you should be ready to spend for it!!!

2.       It should be simple, yet classy, elegant, sophisticated and something different! – 

 Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! That’s too many adjectives rolled into one brief.  Decide how you want your event to reach across to your guests. It can either be simple and down to earth, or over the top and sophisticated. Off course we try our best to balance all these but it’s not easy!

3.       So the photography is inclusive of the decorations, right? - 

  Off course not, unless it’s mentioned so in your quote. Events involve co coordinating with various professions and industries and each has its own charges and specifications. Photography in itself is a profession involving loads of creativity, talent and expensive equipments. Do not end up assuming that all is covered unless you have particularly asked for it.

4.       Will the emcee bring the mike along? - 

 No, the emcee is not going to carry their own mike and speakers to talk into. That would be the sounds and lights department!

5.       So do you have free passes to the next big show in town? or Can you get me a discount at so and so restaurant?- 

 Contrary to popular belief, we don’t receive free passes to every other event in town! And no we don’t get free food and discounts at hotels and restaurants either!

6.       Event manager, aye? You must be partying all the time! - 

 As fun as it may look, party is work for us. Work that involves coordinating with clients, planning for days, dealing with laid back workers, meeting deadlines, standing for hours at the venue executing and supervising things, odd hours of work, stress,etc. At the end of the day you always feel that you are underpaid!

7.       Can you do my event for free; it’s just a small get together. Also I will be inviting you for it. - 

 Either call me as a guest or hire me as a planner. Just because I am attending your event doesn’t mean I will do it for free. It’s not fair to ask!

8.       Hi I have my wedding coming up. I am not sure I can afford a planner. Can you give me some themes and ideas on how to go about it? - 

 Hello!! Ideas, theme, and concepts are what we sell. You just can’t ask us for it and not pay! It’s like asking for the recipe from a chef for his signature dish!

9.       I can’t decide which theme I like. Can we do a combination of all three? - 

 Please let us handle the creative side and try not to make a collage of your pinterest ideas. At the end of the day, how the event was presented will reflect on our company image.

10.   We’re financially tight now, can you pay the vendors, we’ll pay you later- 

 So you decided to have a good time at our expense, huh?!

11.   The guests are getting bored. Is there something you can do? - 

 If you have not planned for the entertainment in your party, you can’t expect the event manager to break into a song/ dance or double up as a stand up comedian!

12.   Why this customized crystal table decor is so expensive, I thought handmade was cheaper?

 You want it customised as per your specification isn’t it? If you don’t prefer the run of the mill set ups available in the market, then you should be ready to pay for that type of exclusivity and creativity.

13.   Can you help me with my event? I was going to do it myself but I don’t think I can now as its just one day away!- 

 Hmm, what I can say on how many such clients we have patronised!

14.   Yes the event went perfectly well, thank you! Can you reduce your rate and give us some discount?-  

 Haggling after the event is over and everything is delivered as promised- definitely not done!