Anyone who’s ever gone through the process of planning a wedding, corporate event, or large party on their own knows that while it can be fun to generate ideas, turning those plans into a reality can also be a daunting task. For most, the Holidays are already a stressful time, with or without the added responsibility of planning and hosting a large get-together. If you’ve assumed the role of hosting a holiday party this year, consider the many benefits of hiring a professional event planner to help.
1. Experience
Professional event planners have time-tested experience in coordinating and facilitating all types of events and have not only discovered first-hand what succeeds but can also foresee what ideas might not work out as well as you imagine. Based on your needs and goals, planners can provide custom party packages and see your visions through to reality based on what they know will work.
2. Network
With years of experience in event planning, also comes a large network of trusted vendors that planners have collaborated before and have built rapport with. Event planners may even work with highly sought-after vendors who are no longer available to public clients. An event planner can ensure that you are working with the most talented and reliable vendors for your special day because their reputation as a planner is also on the line.
3. Resources
Hiring vendors or purchasing party materials on your own can sometimes cost you more if you don’t already have the resources at your disposal. For example, you may want balloons but not have a helium tank, or you may want special lighting or audio but don’t want to purchase equipment that you may only once or twice in the future. Event planners can provide resources that they or their vendors already possess so that you don’t have to spend money frivolously on one-time-use items.
4. Budget
In addition to saving you money on equipment and supplies, event planners will work with you from the onset to define goals and a realistic budget and can guide you in terms of what you need to have a memorable event without superfluous expenditures.
5. Creativity and Collaboration
One of the best aspects of working with an event planner is having a co-creative to collaborate with in case you get stuck on things like music selection, party themes, or entertainment extras. A seasoned event planner can provide you with proven entertainment strategies and options that you may have never thought of otherwise.
6. Coordination and Time Management
When planning your own event, there are many moving parts to stay on top of, and it’s not always easy to manage on your own, especially as a guest at your own event. Expect guests to approach you often throughout the event with various needs, which can throw your timeline off course. Someone will need to oversee the arrival time of vendors, setup, food serving, and the entertainment schedule. A professional event planner not only helps plan and execute the plan but also works in the background on the day off to make sure everything runs smoothly and on time.
7. Peace of Mind
Finally, the key benefit of hiring an event planner for your holiday party is that having a professional ally in your corner means you’ll have a more relaxed experience during the event, which means you’ll have more time to socialize with family, friends, colleagues, and/or clients and patrons. You won’t want this carefully planned event to pass you by!
