Happy Friday, everyone!
Not only is the weekend only hours away but the sun is shining AND I have some exciting news to share. One of the things I love most about this blog is the community that has grown out of it. I love learning what you think and watching discussions grow in the comments each week.
As is often the case, discussions frequently lead to questions, which is why next week I’m introducing a new regular series called… drumroll, please….
Dear Preston!
Has a pretty nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
I feel strongly that those of us lucky enough to make a good living in the wedding and event planning business carry a great deal of responsibility. A lot of what I do on this blog is share what I’ve learned, and I hope that my Dear Preston column will allow me to do even more sharing. In other words, I want to help you learn from my mistakes, so you don’t make them, too. But, I’m also hoping that I’ll get to learn more, too. Because every time I answer a question, I hope you’ll join the conversation in the comments and share your own perspective.
First, however, I need your help: You have you to send me your questions!
Because I hate rules and love to break them, there are no rules for questions. I am happy to accept any and all of them; although, if I were you, I wouldn’t bother asking about cooking or baking. Do you have a question about flowers, work/life balance, centerpieces, a new wedding trend, table settings, lighting, finances, business savvy, or something else entirely?
What are you dying to know?
Please leave your question in the comments below, and I’ll start answering* next Tuesday in my first Dear Preston column. *Unfortunately, I won’t be able to answer every question.
Have a great weekend!
PREVIOUS
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.
Catharine Han
May 6, 2011
Congrats! Love it!
Karen
May 6, 2011
Dear Preston,
I have a textile and product design studio that is in it’s 4th year of business. I happen to be in the midst of a market that is rife with off price goods and am finding that the idea of creating a “brand” seems to be a thing of the past. Many brands want to offer goods as cheap as possible as it appears that is what consumers expect these days. We’re living in the age of the “big sale” and my work is not cheap. Therefore I have concentrated on building a quality brand with a decidedly unique perspective. As a designer, I would love to know if you have any advice on getting through this challenge. Thank you so much for all that you offer on your blog.
My very best,
Karen
Hammocks & High Tea
Sam Friedman
May 6, 2011
Dear Preston!….
I LOVE flowers and love the art that can be done with it, so I’m looking into adding to my events biz a floral division on my own instead of always have to outsource it.
Problem is that I never worked with flowers myself.
Whats your suggestion I do to get a crash course and where/how do I hire the right floral designers?
Thanks so much for your time & experience that you dedicate to the industry!
Awaiting impatiently to your reply of wisdom!!!
Peace & love,
SamF
Kristen
May 6, 2011
Dear Preston,
Due to increasing health issues with a progressive disorder, I don’t know if I can continue the planning and coordination part of my business. I am considering taking on a promising intern and mentoring her through the weddings and events I have booked up to this point. One of my strengths is in event design as well as my blog. I was wondering how does one go about making such a major transition and still make a living? Should I stop taking on events or should I transition the intern to a staff member when she/he is ready? Thanks so much.
Kristen
Parties by Kristen
Janet Mohapi-Banks
May 6, 2011
Love the idea of Dear Preston. If you do get any baking questions you can’t answer feel free to ask me. Baking and cake design is my business!
I look forward to reading the questions and of course your brilliant replies.
Em
May 6, 2011
Dear Preston –
Do you have any tips for “timing” flowers well to have them looking their best on the event date? I’m sure a lot of it comes with experience, but after battling to get some ornithogalum open for a wedding and having only moderate success, I’m hoping to get some tips to help me not have to learn everything the hard way!
Chisty Record
May 6, 2011
Dear Preston,
Do you know if there is an industry related group that exist for self employed folks like us to join to help us get “group” health insurance? While I could go out and get an individual policy it doesnt cover maternity. Clearly you are a man but I thought I would give it a shot! Thanks for listening and I LOVE your blog and your tips.
Christy
Swank Soiree
Jackie
May 6, 2011
I think it’s a brilliant idea!
Dear Preston…
I will make this short and to the point. I have been in business for just a year with 6 brides, beating my goal of 4 for my first year. Not bad for my first year. I work full time at a place I am not happy and all I can focus on is my business and getting out of working full time. I am creating accessories to add to the business and am looking into opening a bridal consignment boutique. How do I know when it’s time to consider working part time or quitting my full time job altogether? I know they say to take baby steps, but my brain is loaded with ideas and I want this so bad, it’s all I can think about. How do take those steps to get to my dream and be happy with what I do?
Thanks!
Jackie
Cloud Nine Bridal
Erica Scott
May 6, 2011
Do you have a general rule of thumb to recommend on paying yourself as a business owner? For example, do you suggest a monthly salary, or paying per completed job either a percentage of revenue or flat salary amount, etc?
Leslie Palme
May 6, 2011
Preston that you would share in your knowledge speaks well of your security and we event designers can be an insecure lot. All of us have failed and had to pick ourselves back up again. You show us grace!
Kerry
May 6, 2011
Dear Preston,
I am the Director of Catering at a fabulous downtown Chicago hotel. We are getting ready to welcome the legalization of same sex marriages to Illinois on June 1, 2011. I wanted to see if you had any advice in terms of marketing and catering to all of these new Brides and Grooms. We would love to host these couples and their guests at our hotel.
Thank you!
Gloria Brown
May 6, 2011
I’m excited about your new series, “Dear Preston”, and I look forward to reading everyone’s questions and also your answers. I feel like I am learning a lot from this blog
Preston, you make learning so much fun!
xoxo
design elements
May 6, 2011
I’m excited about your new series, Preston! Love your work. It inspires! I would love to know which are your fav books about personal growth.Happy weekend!
KATHY
May 6, 2011
What are some new trends for ring bearers and flower girls? If I see another white pillow/satin basket form the big box craft stores, I think I’ll throw up!
Thanks for any advice
Trudy-Ann Armand
May 7, 2011
Dear Preston,
I LOVE your blog! I just started my business and your advice and the comments are been fantastic. I feel like a part of a large supportive network.
My question is do you or your team fabricate most of your installations or do you outsource? If the former, what do you absolutely produce yourself?
Denae Peters
May 7, 2011
I would love to know your top 3 tips for how event planners and designers in early career stages (2-4 yrs experience) can really take their careers to the next level?
Savannah (Pearls and Pages)
May 7, 2011
LOVE this idea, Preston. You are such an inspiration in so many ways: as a businessman, as a designer, and as a human being. Kind, generous, and creative– in every aspect. Thank you for continuing to be simply so wonderful! I love this Dear Preston idea. Fab!!
Totally random question that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the biz, although perhaps it could…. I heard your b-day was recently. What did you do to celebrate?
Have a great weekend and I can’t wait to see what you share next week for your 1st Dear Preston!
Cheers from Berlin,
Savannah
The French Bouquet: Wedding & Event Floral Design in Tulsa, OK
Connie Mak
May 7, 2011
Dear Preston!
I’m loving this!
Can you share some of your tricks in securing the flowers onto the bonnet of a swanking Jaguar and not damaging the paintwork. The bride is worried about scratching the car, she rather do without when I have a great idea of placing the arrangement across diagonally.
Thank you!!
Yvonne
May 8, 2011
Yay for Preston!!
Dear Preston,
Here is my question, although I really am not sure whether it is appropriate for you to answer it here on your blog. I remember your advice about the ideal profit ratio being 50% and the costs include you and/or your floral designers’ hourly rate or labour costs.. I have been wondering abut this for quite a while, how do you go about setting the hourly rate. I know it is New York specific, but if I may, can I ask what is your hourly rate? Also, do you have different rates for different employees who have various levels of experience?
Very belated Happy Bday btw!! I wish this year will be full of joy, love, work, holidays and all things nice and wonderful for you.
Yvonne
Sharon
May 8, 2011
Preston,
1st, thank you for choosing to share your experiences and knowledge with us. Where I am from, “newbies” in the industry, such as myself find it difficult to obtain assistance from more experienced planners. I’m just fortunate that I am the daughter of a caterer and learned a lot at an early age. My event planning business is a little over a year old; however, I am finding that many of my clients want my decorating services as well as my planning services. How do you suggest I manage the two and how to charge for my event design/decor?
I take what I do seriously and my ultimate goal is to run my business fulltime. I graduate this fall w/ my MBA in hospitality management & I want to become certified as a planner. I would also like to find out more about your courses and what schools in the Mid-Atlantic region offer your program.
Sala
May 9, 2011
I adore the blog and also your generous spirit. My question is actually 5 (a bit cheeky) what are the 5 questions I should ask myself to see if I am ready to run my own business?
thank you in advance!
Sala
Savannah (Pearls and Pages)
May 9, 2011
Good morning, Preston! Been thinking about my questions over the weekend. Here are a few I’ve been having run around in my brain:
First- I’d love to hear your response from Kathy re: new trends for flower girls and ring bearers. In my blogging for The French Bouquet I like to do random posts about little floral details, often including ring bearer and flower girl florals. I love sharing different designs– have been seeing a lot of the rustic look with the use of twine and moss…flower girl pomanders….anything you’ve been seeing or have some tips on? Would love to let brides know there are new and fresh things to always be done with little floral details!!
Lastly: turning down a potential client. If you feel the client isn’t a fit for you, how do you manage that? If the job is going to be more pain than pleasure or you can sense that drama’s straight ahead with a certain client, how do you handle that? I’m just curious as to what fabulous and super-busy Preston does when he’s already got a full plate, and he’s got a potential client wanting the world, but bringing a lot of hassle along.
Thanks so much and I can’t wait to see all of the answers and future questions with Dear Preston:
Cheers,
Savannah
Lorraine
May 9, 2011
Dear Preston,
First I would like to that you for all of the great information and inspirations that you share with us every day. You truly are an amazing wealth of knowledge and talent!
I have been a florist for most of my life, but have recently moved to another state to be an event coordinator at a fantastic vineyard venue. My question is this …. what is the best way to find event planners/designers in the NY/CT/MA areas and what would be the best approach to let them know about our new and exciting venue?
Thank you!
Lorraine
Margaret Leeds
May 9, 2011
Dear Preston,
I’m a wedding planner in California, and I love your blog. This is such a great idea! A few months ago, a prospective client, a father whose daughter is getting married, said something to me. But, I didn’t have a proper response. He said, “For the price of this wedding, I could make a down payment on a house for my daughter. And I have half a mind to do just that.” What should I have said to him? Why are wedding worth the money? I mean other than allowing all of us wedding planners to earn a living…
Thank you!
Margaret Leeds
afcpam
May 9, 2011
I’m excited about Dear Preston, too! You are a mentor to us, and I appreciate so much your generosity in giving of your time to encourage and help us.
Are you saying that if an event’s total cost is $100,000 that $50,000 goes for all supplies and labor, and $50,000 should be our “take-home” pay?
Pricing is my biggest challenge as an event designer. I’m getting bigger budgets, but I’m not so adept at pricing things to where I actually make money. Can you give some guidelines for pricing a wedding/event?
Thank you!
jenna
May 11, 2011
Looking through your website I noticed that there were a large collection of books in some photos? What kinds of books do you find most helpful? Any must reads? Thank you for your time!
tryecrot
August 26, 2011
Yes there should realize the opportunity to RSS commentary, quite simply, CMS is another on the blog.