A load worth sharing
Following many years of coordinating other people’s weddings, I recently had the challenge of organising my own.
In the beginning, I refused offers of help, but as the months galloped away it dawned on me that family and friends weren’t just offering their help to be nice, they too wanted to play a part in the wedding ‘production’. They wanted to feel needed and above all, involved.
Events can be a daunting beast, but by delegating roles and sharing the load, the pressure mounting on your shoulders dissipates.
Events can weigh heavily on resources – certainly time and money – so be sure that if you’re throwing an event, no matter what shape or form, that you’re doing it for the right reasons and the right outcome.
Here’s some handy tips to ensure your next event is a hit:
• Ask yourself, your colleagues and/or clients what the purpose of the event is and the overall objective. Ensure everyone involved is aware of the end goal and that all aspects will help you achieve this. If you want it to be truly memorable, be prepared to put a fair amount of effort in.
• Themes are important in providing direction for elements across the board, including invitations, decorations, entertainment, speeches, catering and so forth. Try to avoid falling into the trap of clichés – aim for unique and memorable.
• Planning and preparation are paramount to the success of your event. The more time you give yourself, the better prepared you will be, however sometimes time can be a luxury. Regardless of how much time you have up your sleeve, putting together a detailed production schedule outlining tasks, deadlines and responsibilities will put you in good stead. Also have a contingency plan in place, particularly around weather conditions if it’s an outside venue.
• Surround yourself with good people – not only your events team, but suppliers also. All elements are incredibly important such as catering, entertainment, venue etc, and can speak volumes about you, your organisation or client if you’re acting on their behalf. You’ll be spending a lot of time with these people so make sure they share similar values, work ethics and reflect your level of professionalism.
• Delegation is the key! There’s no need for you to think like a superhero and take everything on yourself. People respond better when they have a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Finally - and most importantly - enjoy yourself! If you’re having a good time it will rub off on others.
Happy planning!
Alex Ruffin, Senior Consultant
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