Results for clients Tag

writing a check

HOW MUCH DO WEDDINGS AND EVENTS COST?

(Image via Alaska-in-Pictures) I suspect that most of us don’t really know our area’s going rate for wedding and event planning services. So it’s little wonder that we’re constantly anxious about whether we’re overcharging or undercharging. Often it feels like one big guessing game! Today I want to try and change that, at least a [...]

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insomnia

DILEMMA OF THE DAY: LOSING SLEEP OVER UNHAPPY CLIENTS

(Image via Berlin Battery) We’re in the wedding and event industry, and our business is about providing great service. I love my work, and, most of the time, I consider my job play. But, once in a while, when something hasn’t gone well, I still have sleepless nights. Usually, I can’t sleep for one of [...]

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William & Kate

DEAR PRESTON: WAS THE ROYAL WEDDING’S DECOR A BORE?

(Image via JORNAL BRASILEIROS) Dear Preston, The Royal Wedding was very beautiful and romantic, and I loved watching it. They were clearly going for an elegant look, but I thought the decor was a little boring. What did you think? Sincerely, Underwhelmed Dear Underwhelmed, Yes, the Royal Wedding was very romantic! Even more importantly, Prince [...]

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wasted flowers

BIG EVENTS: HOW TO PREVENT LAST MINUTE DISASTERS

(Image via bondseye) It’s wedding season, folks! And last weekend my team and I juggled two big jobs. The bigger a job, the more complicated it will be, and the more complicated it is, the more likely something will go wrong. So this week, I’d like to address a few of the things that can [...]

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lower prices

COMMON MISTAKES: RELYING ON DISCOUNTS

(Image via pebble creek partners) I love a good sale as much as the next person. In fact, I usually wait until the end of the season to buy my favorite designers. And now, with the economy being what it is, I’m seeing more and more businesses in the wedding and event industry also offering [...]

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DEAR PRESTON: A CLIENT RESPONDS TO A READER’S RUDE LETTER

(Image via kevindooley) This morning I shared my response to Poor and Confident’s letter, which I published in last week’s Dear Preston column. This afternoon, I’d like to share with you an email I got from one of my clients after she read the letter. Dear Preston, I am appalled at the accusation that Poor [...]

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DEAR PRESTON: HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH YOURSELF? ANSWERED!

(Image via sarahbeach) Dear Readers, Thank you for all of your insightful and kind responses to the letter I posted last Tuesday; I was touched by your encouragement and heartfelt reaction. Your comments made it abundantly clear that most of you appreciate the work that designers and other artists create. Because that’s what we all [...]

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Preston Bailey on Saving Money in the wedding and event planning biz

MY GUIDELINES TO HELP YOU AVOID THE CASH POOR TRAP

(Image via Tony Crider) Are you living hand to mouth? Because you’re not alone; this is not a strong economy, and many people are struggling. And though I’m very fortunate to no longer be in that situation, I lived just that way for more years than I care to remember. Here are my suggestions to [...]

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Lady Gaga Poker Face

HOW TO AVOID RUNNING A CASH POOR BUSINESS

 (Image via dreamglowpumpkincat210) As I promised on Monday, here are a few ways to avoid running a cash poor business. Although, truly, it can be boiled down quite simply: Try never to spend money on a job that is not yet yours. Even after you’ve been hired, try never to install the job until [...]

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Preston Bailey Dear Preston

DEAR PRESTON: HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH YOURSELF?

(Image via cbanck) Dear Preston, How do you live with yourself? I’ve been following you and your work for quite awhile, and what you do is over the top. It’s empty and soulless. Your clients are rich and insecure and have a desperate need to show off. How do you live with yourself knowing that [...]

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preston bailey wedding and event planning business finances

WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING: TOP 3 FINANCIAL MISTAKES

(Image via alancleaver_2000) Last week we discussed at length the importance of getting clients to pay us prior to the day of their wedding or other event. But there’s a lot more to be said about business finances, and I’d like to continue our conversation this week. Let’s start by tackling the months or even [...]

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Preston Bailey Payment Plan for Brides and Clients

MY PAYMENT PLAN FOR BRIDES AND OTHER CLIENTS

(Image via Jim Legans, Jr) This morning I promised that I would outline the payment plan I ask all of my clients to follow. So, here it is! I’ve been ask many times how I handle payment. This is tricky because, obviously, you need to get paid, but your client also needs to feel comfortable. [...]

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listening to clients in the wedding and event planning industry

LEARNING THE BUSINESS OF MONEY THE HARD WAY

(Image via ky_olsen) Yesterday, I promised to explain how I handled those three difficult payment situations. So, here’s what I did: In the first situation, everything came to a head the day before the event. My client was simply unable to come up with the money he owed me. I was angry. I was also [...]

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paying wedding and event vendors on time

WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS: GETTING PAID IN FULL BEFORE THE EVENT

(Image via gfpeck) There is absolutely no question in my mind that wedding and event planning vendors should always be paid in full at least two weeks (you need time to make sure the check clears!) before the wedding or event. And you can just forget about getting that check on the day of the [...]

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how to get clients and get paid in the wedding and event planning industry

HOW TO GET NEW CLIENTS AND GET PAID

(Image via pshegubj) I’ve always been more than a bit uncomfortable asking my clients for money. In the past, this has led to a great deal of financial burden. Once, I worked with a client for over three months before she paid me even a dollar. Eventually, I learned how to set up very specific [...]

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10 ways to avoid pissing off angry brides

TEN EASY WAYS TO AVOID PISSING OFF BRIDES AND OTHER CLIENTS

(Image via Lucia..) I never ever forget that without my brides and other clients, I simply would not have a business. Even if you have the very best talent and service, it’s meaningless without clients. So happy clients are my very top priority. But, in order to have happy clients, I have to know not [...]

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keep brides and corporate clients happy

THE IMPORTANCE OF FUN DURING THE WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING PROCESSS

(Image via james.holly) Recommendations from clients can be a blessing or a curse. I’ve seen it all. There’s the bride who is so happy with my work that she can’t wait to recommend me to all of her girlfriends who are also getting married. (I live for these brides!) Then there are the clients, often [...]

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wedding stuff

DEAR PRESTON: WHAT’S THE POINT OF SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON A WEDDING?

(Image via TheDarkThing) 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, [...]

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recommendations for the wedding and event planning industry

MORE ON RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING INDUSTRY

(Image via sarae) This morning I introduced the topic of recommendations and how, unfortunately, some recommendation tactics in the wedding and event planning industry aren’t always fair or reliable. We’ve already discussed those dreaded preferred vendor lists from venues. Now, I’d like to tackle commissions and nasty gossip. If you recommend me for a job, [...]

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wedding and event planning recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNING INDUSTRY

(Image via sara_kate) Our industry, like many industries, survives on recommendations; for better or worse, we simply can’t live without them. And I like to think that when I’m recommended for a job it’s because of the high quality of my work and my professional manner. However, there are recommendation tactics in our industry that [...]

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