Event Planning Advice and Tips from A Love Affair Floral + Event Design
Have you ever found yourself needing some serious Event Planning advice or tips on where to get started? Well you’re in for a treat today because Alex from A Love Affair Floral + Event Design has shared her top insights and she has been in the industry for 7 years!
Alex was kind enough to answer some of my questions, which you can read below. Not only has she shared some awesome advice, but I’ve actually made an Event Checklist which you can download for free to help you in your planning!
If you’re not sure exactly what an Event Planner does, or whether you need one or not, then read on as this will be incredibly helpful.
Tell us a bit about yourself, and how A Love Affair came about.
I grew up in an intensely creative and entrepreneurial family that are all designers and artists, so from a young age was nurtured to explore my own unique creativity and was exposed to business from an early age, which has helped shaped me into who I am today. A Love Affair Floral + Event Design was launched in 2010, which combines my two loves nature and design. After many years of studying and working in the events industry I saw a gap in the market and wanted to create a complete design, planning and custom floral service under one roof, for brides, corporate and private clients. A move away from the cookie cutter look that other competitors were producing at the time to create something original, beautiful and inspiring, showcasing individuality, down to the finest detail. You can view more of our work here.
“I moved away from the cookie cutter look that other competitors were producing at the time to create something original, beautiful and inspiring, showcasing individuality, down to the finest detail.”
I hear your 7th birthday is coming up! Can you tell us a bit about that too?
Yes, it’s been 7 years since we opened our doors and 5 years of them have been within a studio environment, moving away from our original bricks and mortar store in 2012, so that we could focus all of our creative energy and attention into each project, weddings, events and special celebrations. We are planning on launching some exciting new initiatives next year, so stay tuned!
What exactly does an event planner do, and if you’re unsure if you need one, can you describe the benefits of having one?
An event planner coordinates all the little details and then brings it together to produce a smooth and seamless event. We are event planners and also designers so that allows us to streamline the overall look and feel and creative direction, whilst also managing the overall logistics, such as venue sourcing and booking, liaising and managing vendors and contractors, booking appointments, custom design and sourcing design elements, mailing guest invitations, lead up and on the day event management, setup and dismantle.
Whether you’ve been dreaming of your wedding since you we’re a child or are planning an event and have absolutely no idea where to start, an event planner can help you translate your personal style, brand or vision and bring it to life, breaking it down into manageable steps and offering guidance along the way. They will work with you, knowing what questions to ask and what to look out for, navigating issues as they arise, saving you time and money and create an event that will be talked about in a positive way!
“An event planner coordinates all the little details and then brings it together to produce a smooth and seamless event.”
What tips do you have for someone planning an event?
Ask yourself what style of event you would like to create – casual, formal, elegant, lavish or paired back. What kind of food service would you like, such as food and drink stations, shared plates, canapes or a sit down table service? Depending on the size and scale of your project I would suggest focusing on creating up to 3 x key areas or focal points and doing them well, rather than trying to do everything and losing the overall impact.
What Event Planning Advice and Tips Do You Have?
Selecting your venue is one of the key factors when planning a special celebration, wedding or event. It sets the tone and mood of what’s to come. So look for certain characteristics or attributes that tie in with your theme. Or if it’s a blank canvas it probably needs more lighting, flowers and styling to bring it to life. Ask lots of questions before you book the space, such as :
- What furniture and other items if any come with the room / space?
- Does it accommodate the type of floor layout you are wanting to create?
- What are the access times for setup, styling and dismantle?
- Are there any penalty rates if you need more time onsite to create magic! Be mindful that some venues charge a fee to extend the access setup and bump out times, which can go into the thousands. If you’re wanting more flexibility, consider alternative venues such as luxury homes, restaurants and unusual spaces for hire.
- Is the venue indoors or out and does it offer a wet weather contingency plan? Some have marquee/tent options onsite.
Or if all of this sounds overwhelming then hire a good event planner as they will negotiate all of these things for you in advance. Then all you need to do is sit back and relax, ensured you’re in good hands.
Do you have any budget advice when it comes to planning an event?
Set a realistic budget that allows for everything and most of us reading this will be asking what that is? A realistic budget is something that you’re comfortable with spending. Most people planning a wedding or event haven’t ever done it before, so are genuinely surprised by some of the costs involved. Think of it like this; if you were to remodel your bathroom or kitchen, how much might this set you back? An event requires hundreds of hours of planning and preparation and for only one day or night in most cases. Usually there’s substantial delivery and labour costs involved.
In Conclusion
So to summarize Alex’s Event Planning advice, here are a few key takeaways:
- Consider the look and feel that you want to create.
- Selecting the right venue is one of the key factors for your event. Think of it as your foundation for the rest of your decisions.
- Ask lots of questions so you know what is included at your venue and if there are any additional costs.
- What kind of catering is available at your venue?
- If outdoors, consider the weather and having a back up plan.
- Set a budget that you’re comfortable with.
- If putting everything together is too overwhelming, let an expert help you and hire an Event Planner.
I hope this article is helpful and don’t forget to grab yourself a copy of my Event Checklist which you can download for free to help you in your event planning!
