I took the liberty of asking for your favorite florist and planner in your area (thank you for your huge response), and I was very surprised to see by your comments that this is still a very confusing issue.
I received a few planners that acted as designers as part of their services, and designers that acted as planners. I am a firm believer of full service for your clients, however the big question is: How are you charging your clients for both of these services? Another question is: Does your client know the difference between the two roles?
I’d love to hear your response and give you my two cents next week.
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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.
Kelly Oshiro
May 11, 2010
I struggle with this on a daily basis. Since I’m both a planner and a designer, I have to educate potential clients that full planning includes not just logistic management, but the design as well. Its important for me to explain both roles and how I fill them because I do charge a higher fee for my full planning service. For a while I separated full planning from event design and had them as a la carte options. This seemed to create more confusion so I folded the two together again. Any tips or ideas on how to price/structure a design/plan service would be greatly appreciated!
Allison
May 11, 2010
Hi Preston,
I am a designer and planner. I charge separately for each service. If they hire me for planning, I charge a flat fee based on size of the event. Florals and Decor is separate and is based on each event need.
Ray A Montalvo
May 11, 2010
Like many things in this industry and others, it depends on the abilities and interests of the individual. Our studio functions in both capacities. Our roots are in floral design but we found ourselves doing more and more as we progressed. It came naturally as more and more brides expressed a comfort level with our work and the relationships we built with them while going through the floral consultation. They wanted ideas on the types of linens they could use to work with the centerpieces and asked if we knew of vendors in other areas. The transition was just natural from there. While many of our clients still walk in through the floral design door so to speak, we find that being open to full service planning has expanded our business and given us greater opportunities to build an already strong foundation for future success.
Ricky King AIFD, CFD, SCCPF, NCCPF
May 11, 2010
As a professional floral designer, I have not always found it advantageous to be both a planner and the designer. I have worked with planners who were professional, on top of their game, and understood just what could and could not be done. I have also worked with planners who truly had no clue, no skills, and no understanding of the event.
I have a checklist that I refer my clients too……….it lists what I feel are and should be the qualifications of a truly professional planner.
Among the questions – How many events has the planner consulted with and worked with in the past six months?
How many of those clients can you talk with directly to ascertain how satisfactory or
unsatisfactory their services were? How many times have you spoken with the planner versus
leaving a message on voicemail?
That is just a few of the questions on the sheet I provide my clients with so they can evaluate their planner. Does it cost me some events? Probably so, but the planners who do not like the form are most likely the ones who do not do the best job, so I end up working with the true professionals.
Amy Hawke
May 12, 2010
Wow – I wish I’d found this blog years ago – I ADORE your work Preston! Something to aspire to!
My two cents worth – I am an event designer and organiser based in London. For the most part I design events – initially pitching ideas through mood-boards and portfolio. On occasion I take on full event production as a freelance contractor -becoming 10 people all rolled into one – Event Designer, CAD Planner, Organiser, Producer, Site Manager, Accountant and on an on … At times I’ve done this on a very grand scale (though perhaps not as large as you Preston!) and I believe I manage the Production side of things just as well as the Creative.
To design and pitch for events effectively you have to have an idea of logistics and so I think it is absolutely beneficial if any one person can do both and more. In saying that I understand why some people are dubious – it is a rare thing to find someone with these almost conflicting skill bases – and there are certainly a lot of cowboys in this industry.
Never-the-less, the benefit of successfully doing both is that I can actually charge less, not more, than larger events companies with a large staff and huge overheads. I’ve pitched against some of the biggest (though not necessarily the best) in the industry – just me in my studio working til all hours – and I’ve done this by simply providing a personal and bespoke service, listening to clients effectively and designing/organising/budgeting to suit their individual needs – perhaps unlike a larger organisation who have staff costs to cover and rooms full of stock they try to push out time and time again whether it’s right for the client or not.
In the end it comes down to the individual/organisation – you’re either multi-talented and capable or your not – you have a good work ethic or you don’t. My primary goal is always to please the client.
Christopher Burson
May 13, 2010
Hello Preston and World,
This can be very tricky. If im designing the flowers… I want to pick out the linen, the lighting effects, china etc. Any thing that is concerning decor im the “planner”. I dont have to be involved in the food, photographer, cakes unless asked. I like for everything to coordinate. I offer menu suggestions and prefered vendor list for other aspects if needed. If i was to plan the whole wedding there would be a different charge in additon to flower/decor cost. There would separate contract for both.
kathy warden
May 13, 2010
i am a designer first and a planner second. the syncronicity between the planner and designer is so critical to the success of our jobs. if a client comes to us and through the conversation i realize that this client would benefit from a planner (and they dont have one) I will offer the service. we market ourselves as designers.. i love to design and i will get involved in the planning and coordination of an event if it helps me get the event and if the success of the event will be determined by our involvement as a planner.
most times it all comes down to building a relationship and connecting with the client. they want us to be involved in all the details. the more we know about an event, the better job we can do..
but the reality is i LOVE to design parties and i will plan them if i need to.. fortunately, i am organized and very detail oriented and a perfectionist…
minority scholarships
May 17, 2010
Great, I never knew this, thanks.