I have some good news to share:
Two wonderful publications were kind enough to include me in their latest issues. I’m thrilled to be in the spring 2012 issue of Stacie Francombe’s fantastic magazine, Inspire Smart Success. That’s the cover above, and below is a sneak peek of my story:
I’m also excited to be included in the May issue of Cosmo Bride China.
This collaborative feature was fun to do, and I love the layout they chose!
Hi, Preston.
I’m sure you receive a lot of emails, but since you always post such great advice for those of us in the wedding industry, I thought I might as well ask some questions, too.
I’m an upcoming wedding planner, but I only plan on doing this on the side. So far, I have completed three weddings on my own and have four more weddings coming up this year. My concerns arise with the business aspect of becoming a wedding planner.
I started doing this for fun and for free, but, once word spread, I became busier and decided I wanted to have my own company. The problem is that while I definitely know how to plan events, I’m lost when it comes to starting a business.
I already have a company name, my own contract and packages, and a website underway. But how do I know when to get a business license? How do I make everything legal? Since I only plan on doing it on the side for now and am not making very much money, do I need a business license?
As you can see, I am very lost when it comes to these details! Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
A New Planner
Dear NP,
Thank you for your letter, and congratulations on your new venture. It sounds like you’ve already had some exciting success and that folks are responding well to your work. That’s great.
Now, to answer your questions:
First and foremost, you should find a good accountant with restaurant and event industry experience.
Second, set up your company as either a Corporation, a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), or a Sole Proprietor. Once you create a company and are filing that company in the state where you work, you’ll be able to purchase wholesale. A company will also limit your personal liability should something unfortunate occur.
Third, contact an insurance broker to obtain Workers Compensation Insurance and General Liability Insurance.
Every state has regulations for running a business, no matter how small. So it’s always a good idea to follow the rules carefully and make sure your business meets every requirement. Correcting errors later will consume a great deal of time and likely be expensive.
I urge everyone who wants to start their own business to seek professional advice. The small cost you pay up front will prevent headaches in the future and help ensure your success.
Dear Readers, did I miss anything? What advice would you add? Please share your expertise!
Folks always ask me where I get my inspiration, and nothing inspires me more than Mother Nature.
Like the Cadaverous flower, which is known as the stinkiest flower in the world. It only blooms once every forty years — and even then it lives for just three days!
There are only a few around the world, and the one in Veracruz, Blanco, Mexico managed to reach a height of 6 5/8 feet tall and 165 pounds. Pretty incredible, right? It makes me want to thank God for creating such marvels for our world.
Of course, now I can’t wait to duplicate this flower in a new design!
Dear Readers, what do you think? How would you use this beautiful flower in your work?
Next week I’m going to be speaking at Tendencias Weddings and Events at the Santa Clara Sofitel Hotel in Cartagena, Colombia. If you’re free May 14-16, you should join me!
In 2007, I had the great pleasure of designing a wedding in Cartagena for a lovely bride named Natalia; I’m very excited to return to such a beautiful place that is home to so many kind and hospitable folks. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that this time I get to go with so many good friends like planner Marcy Blum, lighting expert Ira Levy, and the great music trend setter, Valerie Romanoff.
That this conference is taking place at the amazing Santa Clara Sofitel is just the cherry on top!
We’ll also be remembering a great talent and treasure, the late William Baena, who I had the pleasure of working with on Natalia’s wedding. It still aches to think he is no longer with us. He was taken from this world far too soon. Florarte, in a very touching gesture, is designing this event in honor of him.
Simone Lejour and the many great talents in Cartagena are pulling out all the stops for this memorable event; they are even designing the coffee breaks as wedding dessert tables. How cool is that?!
Don’t miss this event, my Latin-American friends — I’ll see you there!
This year, more than ever, I’ve worked with some very romantic brides. Several of them requested that I incorporate unique and creative keepsakes into their wedding decor — keepsakes they can take home at the end of their reception and display for years to come.
It’s been a welcome challenge, and I love knowing that the ideas I created will be treasured in my clients’ homes for a long, long time.
Here are ten of the ideas I discussed with my brides:
1. Bride’s Bridal Bouquet. You can freeze your bouquet or hang it upside down in a dark closet to make dried flowers.
2. Wedding Reception Linens. Keep one of the tablecloths from your reception and use it on your anniversary.
3. Monogrammed Napkins. This can be expensive, but what a wonderful way to remember your wedding day!
4. Napkin Rings. This is a nice idea if you want a subtle reminder of your wedding; you and your husband will know where they’re from, but your dinner guests may not.
5. Candles. These can be either votive candles in glass containers or candle holders. Every time you use them, you’ll think of the day you were married.
6. Tall Centerpiece Containers. I’m known for my tall and dramatic centerpieces and containers. I’ve given them away to many of my brides and grooms after their wedding.
7. Wedding Invitation. I love when I visit someone’s home and discover a framed copy of their wedding invitation hanging on the wall.
8. Chuppah. I once had a couple ask me to create a silk version of their chuppah, so they could hang it above their bed. I thought that was such a great idea, and it came out beautifully.
9. Silk Floral Chandelier. I created these for a couple’s wedding reception. We hung them all over the ballroom. Afterward, the couple kept a few of them to display around their home.
10. A Special Scent. I created a unique scent for one of my weddings and then gave it to the couple. It became the signature scent of their home. I really love this idea, especially because it isn’t nearly as expensive as you might think.
Dear Readers, do you have any other wedding keepsake ideas? If so, please share them in the comments!
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
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