In event planning there is no calm before the storm. There is however a calm after the storm. I'm not sure if I actually enjoy the calm after. I do like being able to breath, but there is something so thrilling about the management and production of an event, and I seem to be addicted. There is stress, truckloads of it, things go wrong last minute and you have to think on your feet. In the end though it's worth it to see something you put heart and soul into some to life. When you witness smiles, laughter and enjoyment in an environment YOU created for the guests, there is this gratification that is almost unexplainable to those who haven't felt it. So now that I have a little breathing room I figured I would sum up my amazing experience by throwing in some fun. Here is a comical little timeline of what event planning is like.
Idea Planning - You feel like you have all the time in the world. You are excited and you know this time every detail is planned out so nothing can go wrong. You know your client will love your idea with as much force as you do and you are so ready to make this a home run.
Client rejects your idea - Time to go back to the drawing board. You know that wasn't your best idea and you have another one now that's even better. Actually your so glad they didn't like your first one because you would've thought of this idea and then felt like you were missing out!
Starting to plan - You make every template you can, and wow you seem to have everything you need! You are so excited and happy and ready!
Reach out - Okay some businesses will say no or ignore you. But hey! There are some who are willing to help and go above and beyond! This excites you and pushes you to reach out more. You only use half of the templates. Buy hey, you were prepared!
Initial Decoration Shopping - WOW. You have SO MUCH money and your creative ideas are ready to manifest into little table settings and glass chalk board jars from the craft store.
Continuing Reach Out - Why are these people not emailing me back? I should reach out more - we need more people! I don't have a template for this. I should have made a template. Does the world really need more templates? Coffee.
Toward the end of decoration shopping - That money went fast, lets stretch these last few dollars as if they were Olympic Gymnasts. Where is my coffee?
Week Before - It's gonna be okay, emails, twitter posts, Facebook Statuses. More emails and social media. More coffee. More stress. Have you seen where I put my coffee?
Day Before - OH MY! IT'S TOMORROW. Pack the car. Let's go. Social Media. Coffee. Texting. Reach Out. Confirmation. Times. Models. Businesses. Decorations. Inventory. Where did I put that Marker? More emails. Let's make another pot of coffee. Attempt to sleep. That was a funny joke. What is sleep, I have forgotten?
Day Of - Setup. Emails. Texts. Scheduling. Model Lineup. Last Minute Fixes. You forget your outfit. We need extra shoes. Arranging tables. Can you bring shoes? Calls. Re-arranging tables. Food. Setup. Decorations. Does this look good? What time are they getting here? No really? Are they here yet? Greeting. Managing food. Need more food. Models. Changing. Mingle. Have I eaten? No? Okay. Music. Check on guests. Grab a handful of pretzels and down a cold cup of coffee. Thank You's. Speech. Thank everyone. Models. Check on volunteers. Where is my phone? Did they come? Do we need more food? Fast paced "calm" walk. Smile. Small talk. Run away to put out more food. Finale. Smile. Clean up. Pack up. Over. Wow that went fast.
Idea Planning - You feel like you have all the time in the world. You are excited and you know this time every detail is planned out so nothing can go wrong. You know your client will love your idea with as much force as you do and you are so ready to make this a home run.
Client rejects your idea - Time to go back to the drawing board. You know that wasn't your best idea and you have another one now that's even better. Actually your so glad they didn't like your first one because you would've thought of this idea and then felt like you were missing out!
Starting to plan - You make every template you can, and wow you seem to have everything you need! You are so excited and happy and ready!
Reach out - Okay some businesses will say no or ignore you. But hey! There are some who are willing to help and go above and beyond! This excites you and pushes you to reach out more. You only use half of the templates. Buy hey, you were prepared!
Initial Decoration Shopping - WOW. You have SO MUCH money and your creative ideas are ready to manifest into little table settings and glass chalk board jars from the craft store.
Continuing Reach Out - Why are these people not emailing me back? I should reach out more - we need more people! I don't have a template for this. I should have made a template. Does the world really need more templates? Coffee.
Toward the end of decoration shopping - That money went fast, lets stretch these last few dollars as if they were Olympic Gymnasts. Where is my coffee?
Week Before - It's gonna be okay, emails, twitter posts, Facebook Statuses. More emails and social media. More coffee. More stress. Have you seen where I put my coffee?
Day Before - OH MY! IT'S TOMORROW. Pack the car. Let's go. Social Media. Coffee. Texting. Reach Out. Confirmation. Times. Models. Businesses. Decorations. Inventory. Where did I put that Marker? More emails. Let's make another pot of coffee. Attempt to sleep. That was a funny joke. What is sleep, I have forgotten?
Day Of - Setup. Emails. Texts. Scheduling. Model Lineup. Last Minute Fixes. You forget your outfit. We need extra shoes. Arranging tables. Can you bring shoes? Calls. Re-arranging tables. Food. Setup. Decorations. Does this look good? What time are they getting here? No really? Are they here yet? Greeting. Managing food. Need more food. Models. Changing. Mingle. Have I eaten? No? Okay. Music. Check on guests. Grab a handful of pretzels and down a cold cup of coffee. Thank You's. Speech. Thank everyone. Models. Check on volunteers. Where is my phone? Did they come? Do we need more food? Fast paced "calm" walk. Smile. Small talk. Run away to put out more food. Finale. Smile. Clean up. Pack up. Over. Wow that went fast.