FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I don't like hidden fees and I am sure you don't either. That is why I am very upfront about my costs right away. Yes, we understand you want a lavish event and you do not want to spend a fortune but we have to be honest here and realize costs. To get to a final price, I add in the costs of all the decorations, rentals, travel costs, and set up and clean up fees. Like every other event designer/planner, I also factor in how many hours I worked on the event at my hourly rate and did I need to hire anyone to assist me? Now my business is a little trickier as I make custom products. I do NOT charge you an hourly rate for the amount of time it takes me to make and design your custom products. I have a list of set prices that I work with that determines the cost of the item and that is what you are charged. Sometimes a simple centerpiece could take me 4 hours to design, imagine paying over $100 for 1 centerpiece? I DON'T THINK SO. So whether you decide to get a custom item off an online vendor or myself, the cost of the item will be in the same price. So, the first question I ask a potential client is what is their budget? I need to know what exactly you would like to have done and how much you would like to spend on your event. I then can source products and vendors based on your budget. Some items like a balloon arch and/or dessert table have automatic fixed costs and that includes are hourly rate but does not include the set up and transportation fee. When pricing a job clients need to remember several things will be factored into the invoice besides the cost of the decorations and the rentals. Here are some examples: The cost of the setup and breakdown of the event, the hourly rate of the event planner and how long they work on your event and the transportation/travel fees to and from the venue. GAS IS INSANE RIGHT NOW.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I love working with new clients because everyone is different and everyone has a different artistic vision. I want to WOW new clients so that they acknowledge my artistic ability and hire me again for their next event. I welcome the new customer as part of the My Cake Smash Family and I know that they will be overly satisfied with the event that they spread the word to friends and family. There is nothing better then a stress free event where you can enjoy your child's birthday party and relax with family and friends. When working with a new customer I like to have the client fill out my event questionnaire. This helps me decide if I think we will be a good fit for each other, if the event description is possible in the budget frame and if I am available on the day of your event. The questionnaire gives you the option to add inspiration and photos that I will be able to look at. If you have a picture of the venue or where in the home you are putting the setup, that is always helpful. After reviewing the questionnaire, I then would like to schedule a phone call and discuss the details of the party and what your dream event would look like. I would like to know your vision so that I can bring it to life. I will be taking notes during this call and listening to everything you describe. After you are done I will give you my thoughts and my feedback and how I can make your dream come to life. I will make suggestions and we can come up with something that is budget friendly. After our free initial consultation is complete, I will send over the proposal of everything that we have discussed. You will review the proposal and make any modifications as needed. I will then review your modifications and send over an updated proposal and contract. I ask that you sign the contract and remit retainer fee that day so that I can begin work. We are very busy during the weekends, some days doing multiple jobs. I unfortunately will not be able to hold a contract open longer then 24 hours and guarantee I can save the date and time. After I send the contract, if I do not hear from you in 12 hours I will send a reminder email or text. After 23 hours I will place a phone call to you. After 24 hours if contract is not completed I assume you are not booking and I will have to mark the date and time as open. I reserve the date for you for a max 72 hours - From Initial Consultation-to Proposal- to Contract and Payment. I always tell my clients, the longer I have to work on your project the more detailed it will become. I like to begin my work right away so that the day of the event is perfect and if their are any hiccups I will know about them sooner rather then later so that the hiccup can be fixed. I will reach out to you a week before the event and confirm with you the scheduled time we can arrive for setup and the address of the event. I will also reach out to you the day before the event and the morning of the event to continue to make sure that everything is going as planned. I ask if all customers could please leave a review after the event. Whether on my thumbtack, google page, Facebook, or on the birthday packages section of my website. Reviews help business's like mine grow and they are extremely important to the health and stamina of my company. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINNESS'!!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was an indoor Children's event manager for a long time. I came up with the concept of themed birthday parties. The parties were such a hit that we went from 1-2 parties per weekend to 6-7 parties per weekend with a 3 month back log. Everyone that saw my work wanted to have their party there and that is how it all began.....