Comments on: Dear Preston: How Do I Get My Money?

By: Name Your Price: The Bottom Line | Preston Bailey's Blog, Event and Wedding Designer

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:07:08 +0000

[...] I know I talk a lot about money and business finances around here, but it’s just such an important topic. After all, we can’t do what we love unless we can keep our businesses afloat, right? [...]

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:48:47 +0000

Where i come from, planners are still looked down somewhat and clients are unwilling to pay the fees due to them and won’t mind paying huge amounts on alcoholic drinks or entertainment. so most of the planners have to somewhat make up by getting commissions from the vendors. 20% is high and not sure anyone really pays more than 10% as commission.

By: Danial

Danial — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:46:06 +0000

Nicole,

You can’t hold the bride accountable because you know she paid. Even if she hadn’t paid though, your contract is with the Event Planner not the Bride. You have no legal recourse against the bride, however you could take the planner to small claims court and get your money if it is substancial enough for you to want to take it that far. Hope this helps out, and good luck.

By: Savannah

Savannah — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:05:16 +0000

Love hearing what you have to say on this, Preston.

I think commissions in this business are a no-no, but if it’s something you’re going to do, then be 100% transparent about it. It could really bite you badly one day if you’re not open and honest.

I don’t know if 20% is high, but it certainly sounds high. Then again my idea of commission is 0% as I am against the institution.

I agree that the model of having the brides pay each vendor separately, and then the planner going back to the vendors to collect the commissions seems a bit extraneous in the work dept. Not to mention isn’t it a nice perk for a bride with a planner to have that person who can take care of all of the payments? If I were a bride with a planner I’d want to write my check to one person, my planner, and he/she can deal with the allocation to the vendors. One check to the planner, and the planner then writes his or her own checks to all of the vendors. That way not only does the planner get his/her commission right away, if that’s the case, but the bride has less to worry about and the planner can do just that…planning.

And a word on that…absolutely positively pay your vendors ASAP. The worst thing a planner can do is create a riff among the vendors who are the bread and butter for the planner. Delayed payments are never fun and can really hurt vendors’ pocketbooks, possibly outstanding orders on products, and therefore weddings that need those products, and of course the relationship with the vendor. As you say, take care of your vendors…and they’ll take care of you.

Take care yourself, dear Preston!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:09:37 +0000

I’ve had a very similar issue recently happen to me, however I’m the floral designer and was booked for a wedding by the event planner. My policy is that the final balance be paid 14 days prior to the event so that I know the monies are completely handled before the big day. This certain event planner kept telling me that my check was in the mail, but when it never showed the Friday before the wedding I demanded we meet that evening so I could at least get the check in hand. She wrote me the check and I set up the flowers the next day. I know for a fact that the bride gave her the final payment, however when I went to cash my check from the event planner on Monday morning it was returned to me for NSF. I am now out a lot of money as the event planner says she is unable to pay me. My question is “Am I able to hold the bride liable for the mismanaged funds?”

By: Asian Fusion Weddings by Wedding by Wendy

Asian Fusion Weddings by Wedding by Wendy — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:36:48 +0000

I don’t accept kickbacks, find fees, or commissions. I think that since the couple is already compensating me sufficiently – any secured savings should go to the client.

I am also wondering how many practice the procedure of collecting payment, deducting their commission and then forwarding payment to the vendor. I’m wondering if this would open up any liability for the planner.

By: Leslie Palme

Leslie Palme — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:02:19 +0000

The industry standard should be and has been in the past 10%. 20% is not only usurious it is cutting into the vendors profit margins. Planners forget we are carrying a great deal of overhead with labor, transportation and raw costs. I am of the mind that if a planner is fair and honest about his or her fees she or he should be fair and bargain for a fair commission or none at all. Building a great creative team gives you credibility, robbing your vendors is another thing entirely. As a designer in the field since 1987, I have often felt that this commission based structure is blatantly unfair as we end up doing a great deal of their work. Under no circumstances would I ever pay a planner 20% knowing full well I can produce the entire event myself. To all planners I say be honest and be fair in your fees. There are enough pieces of the pie and payment from your client should be enough. At a certain point it just becomes greed.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:56:16 +0000

I feel I should receive compensation from my client for whom I am planning their event, not from a vendor for referring someone who trusted me to deliver an outstanding once-in-a-lifetime event. Even though us planning professionals are ethical and truthful the perception out there is if you are receiving a commission you are likely to recommend the vendor that pays the most. That’s just my two cents on the subject.

By: Arielle Atlas

Arielle Atlas — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:31:00 +0000

I am shocked by 20% 10-15% is the going rate here in NY. It’s always hard to ask for money but it’s necessary!

By: Paradise Cocktails

Paradise Cocktails — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:54:51 +0000

As a vendor I would never pay a commission. I feel we should get paid the rates we submit and the planner should submit the rate they want. I have a great relationship with many planners and venues and we market for each other. That is the reward of networking.