It can be hard to begin the initial planning process because there are many “important” details to be covered. A great starting point is to reference the 5 W’s. These questions will help you and your client establish a direction and focus on the details that truly matter in the early stages of planning. So what are the five W’s?
- Who – Start by asking yourself, “Who is your client? Who is the event for? Who are the guests that will be attending? Who is/are the decision maker(s)?” Get a feel for the client’s personality. Knowing who they are can help you make decisions that are in line with their tastes.
- What – This question helps you narrow the scope. What type of event is it? And what are we going to do? Figure out if the event is celebratory, educational, a fundraising effort, or something else entirely.
- When – Is there a specific date or time of year in mind and is it flexible? Is the event over or near a holiday? Consider how seasonal foods, decor, travel and weather will impact the event.
- Where – Is venue research required or does the client have a place in mind already? Is their venue selection suitable for their event or the time of year it’s being held?
- Why – This is undoubtedly the most important question to ask. Why are they throwing the event? Is it a wedding to celebrate a couple or the family and friends that brought them together? Is it a non-profit event that needs to raise money for the organization or bring awareness to a specific cause? Why did they specifically pick you to help them plan the event?
Asking these preliminary questions will help you understand what it’s going to take to make the event a success. Now that you’ve drilled down on the basics, you can finally do start to work on the fun part, the How! Happy Planning!
