This is not your party, and you can’t cry if you want to. The headaches are all yours. The client is always right, even when he or she is wrong. You are there to interpret and suggest, but not to impose your sense of style on an event if the client disagrees. Don’t take on a job that you can’t do well. If the job is too complex or too large or not possible, walk away from the contract. It’s much worse to have a failure—and a bad reference—than to forgo a job. Expect to be asked to put on a champagne-and-caviar reception on a beer and- pizza budget; you’ll need to know costs and be able to steer your clients to realistic expectations.
If a caterer delivers a bad meal, the entertainer fails to show, or the tent company provides a leaky covering, it’s your headache. Consult your insurance agent about specialized insurance to protect you once you begin putting on large events. You’ll want to especially watch for liability issues. In addition, your client might want to know about insurance that protects against such things as cancellations and unanticipated expenses because of rain, snow, extremes of temperature, or other acts of God. Spend the time to learn about available caterers, locations, entertainers, setup crews, furniture and equipment rentals, and other services you may need. Read your local newspaper carefully to learn about social events and parties in your area.
Consider the newspaper coverage as part of your research about what kind of events are put on and how they are set up. Visit the locations for events you might manage. Tour facilities when they are empty and ask if you can return during—or just before—scheduled events they may be putting on. Obtain price lists and advance calendars that let you know when facilities may already be booked.