At the beginning of the year we hosted an event planner party and met some of the dedicated and uber-organized gals and guys who choose this as a profession. I respect them tremendously and know their job is not easy, but I still don’t know if I feel comfortable paying them commissions. Here are my reasons:
1. I think event planners should recommend vendors (florists, caterers, djs, etc.) based on their knowledge of the vendors’ fabulous work. I recommend various other vendors (including other caterers) all of time based on the fact that I know and trust these people to do a good job. It seems like the whole pay-to-play situation makes the recommendation a little suspect.
2. It is my feeling that you should be upfront about your pricing and charge the client what you think you deserve for the work you do. Setting up alternate means of payment (above and beyond what the client is paying you) feels deceptive.
3. My margins are not high enough to be able to pay a cut to an outside source without losing my back. I don’t want to increase our costs so much that we appear more pricey than we really are.
On the other hand, I can see their point of view:
1. It’s hard to charge for all of the hours that you really put into an event (don’t I know it) so it makes sense to add an upcharge on to the things that take that time up.
2. Brides often rely on the planner for all of the communication with the caterer, taking up extra time to make changes to the menu, schedule tasting(s) or site visits, coordinate tips, etc.
3. Event planners sometimes take over tasks that would otherwise fall to the caterer including rentals, setting up linens, floor plans and timelines.
4. And, most importantly, if most vendors are willing to pay them, why the hell not?
It’s something Justin and I discussing right now in the hopes to form a corporate policy. If anybody has opinions (especially industry folks), please share.
