Planning Events

I was thinking of Morticia trying to feed 18 people in a room without 18 seats, and those of you who do elopements and other events at your inns, when I was reading an article in TIME Magazine on the most stressful jobs in America:
#1 most stressful: firefighter
#2: police officer
#3: event coordinator

Oh, and the last stressful jobs? Hair stylist, university professor, and audiologist.

It wouldn't have been so bad except everyone slept late. Usually we have at least 2-3 rooms ready to go at 8. The past 7 days? NO ONE up before 8:30. Most not until 9. That leaves 30 minutes to feed all those people (never works) and most guests having to wait.
I've been on about the 20 minutes it takes to cook breakfast, so imagine then tacking on 20 minutes waiting to sit down!
Yes, stressful. But at least possible death and injury is not included in the worry like the first two!
Right now I'm waiting for everyone to leave so we can START cleaning. Sigh.
I have no idea how anyone hosts weddings or elopements. I cannot get my head around that at all.

You know what's really stressful? Having to fire an employee who is just not working out. One more chance. Then I'm done. Yesterday I had to redo every room she cleaned and we found out she's taking childish shortcuts.

Arks said:

I was thinking of Morticia trying to feed 18 people in a room without 18 seats, and those of you who do elopements and other events at your inns, when I was reading an article in TIME Magazine on the most stressful jobs in America:
#1 most stressful: firefighter
#2: police officer
#3: event coordinator

Click to expand...

Wow. I'm pretty good at event planning, but not something I want for a permanent gig.

It was a challenging week for me with all-inclusive elopements, officiant services on the beach, regular b&b guests and a whole house wedding where we also served them dinner at our place (10 people). My brain was spinning, copious notes had been made, comfy shoes were worn and DH and I are exhausted. Fortunately, no guests last night and an easy rest of the week will help us rejuvenate.
I'm really enjoying the wedding biz we started 1 1/2 years ago. It's so nice to have all those happy people here and it gets me out on the beaches more than I've ever been able to do.

TheBeachHouse said:

Arks said:

I was thinking of Morticia trying to feed 18 people in a room without 18 seats, and those of you who do elopements and other events at your inns, when I was reading an article in TIME Magazine on the most stressful jobs in America:
#1 most stressful: firefighter
#2: police officer
#3: event coordinator

Click to expand...

Wow. I'm pretty good at event planning, but not something I want for a permanent gig..

Click to expand...

After hearing all the posts related to people booking and cancelling, not tipping, issues with having non-related guests at the place, trying to triage among various parties' issues...
I can see doing an event, but do not see taking up any of the planning or coordinating. "Here is the number of several ministers, party suppliers, etc." I need one person paying, significant deposit, will not get involved in the inter-party discussions, sorry no cancellations/refunds, etc.

just ran an event for 27,000 people as chair of a small committee of 8 people - kicked ass! however it is dealing with all the petty squabbles and lack of understanding of the co-coordinating parts
To me immediately means - same day or next day - not 3 months later!

Morticia said:

You know what's really stressful? Having to fire an employee who is just not working out. One more chance. Then I'm done. Yesterday I had to redo every room she cleaned and we found out she's taking childish shortcuts..

Click to expand...

Been there, done that. But when someone is dishonest, taking advantage of others, bad work ethics, etc. I don't even blink. They can ruin a business. They certainly are not earning their pay, and there are other worthy candidates out there who can help your business grow.
Like getting rid of bad tenants. Painful, but sometimes you have to swing the axe, CYA, and don't look back.

undersea said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Arks said:

I was thinking of Morticia trying to feed 18 people in a room without 18 seats, and those of you who do elopements and other events at your inns, when I was reading an article in TIME Magazine on the most stressful jobs in America:
#1 most stressful: firefighter
#2: police officer
#3: event coordinator

Click to expand...

Wow. I'm pretty good at event planning, but not something I want for a permanent gig..

Click to expand...

After hearing all the posts related to people booking and cancelling, not tipping, issues with having non-related guests at the place, trying to triage among various parties' issues...
I can see doing an event, but do not see taking up any of the planning or coordinating. "Here is the number of several ministers, party suppliers, etc." I need one person paying, significant deposit, will not get involved in the inter-party discussions, sorry no cancellations/refunds, etc.
.

Click to expand...

It's just the opposite. You must take control. It's the only way you're going to make any money and make sure things go smoothly. When using your own vendors you can pad your price and make some profit. Never let them plan their own party at your place! That's a recipe for disaster.

Breakfast Diva said:

undersea said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Arks said:

I was thinking of Morticia trying to feed 18 people in a room without 18 seats, and those of you who do elopements and other events at your inns, when I was reading an article in TIME Magazine on the most stressful jobs in America:
#1 most stressful: firefighter
#2: police officer
#3: event coordinator

Click to expand...

Wow. I'm pretty good at event planning, but not something I want for a permanent gig..

Click to expand...

After hearing all the posts related to people booking and cancelling, not tipping, issues with having non-related guests at the place, trying to triage among various parties' issues...
I can see doing an event, but do not see taking up any of the planning or coordinating. "Here is the number of several ministers, party suppliers, etc." I need one person paying, significant deposit, will not get involved in the inter-party discussions, sorry no cancellations/refunds, etc.
.

Click to expand...

It's just the opposite. You must take control. It's the only way you're going to make any money and make sure things go smoothly. When using your own vendors you can pad your price and make some profit. Never let them plan their own party at your place! That's a recipe for disaster.
.

Click to expand...

I am not really sure I even want to get involved, especially the first couple years. I follow the 80-20 rule. 80% of the profit/benefit/etc. usually comes from 20% of your plans/business/customer types/etc.
But I do not consider it profitable if I am doing a Mort 30 phone calls trying to hook up all the varied party members trying to make it work. And not worth the headache.

undersea said:

Breakfast Diva said:

undersea said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Arks said:

I was thinking of Morticia trying to feed 18 people in a room without 18 seats, and those of you who do elopements and other events at your inns, when I was reading an article in TIME Magazine on the most stressful jobs in America:
#1 most stressful: firefighter
#2: police officer
#3: event coordinator

Click to expand...

Wow. I'm pretty good at event planning, but not something I want for a permanent gig..

Click to expand...

After hearing all the posts related to people booking and cancelling, not tipping, issues with having non-related guests at the place, trying to triage among various parties' issues...
I can see doing an event, but do not see taking up any of the planning or coordinating. "Here is the number of several ministers, party suppliers, etc." I need one person paying, significant deposit, will not get involved in the inter-party discussions, sorry no cancellations/refunds, etc.
.

Click to expand...

It's just the opposite. You must take control. It's the only way you're going to make any money and make sure things go smoothly. When using your own vendors you can pad your price and make some profit. Never let them plan their own party at your place! That's a recipe for disaster.
.

Click to expand...

I am not really sure I even want to get involved, especially the first couple years. I follow the 80-20 rule. 80% of the profit/benefit/etc. usually comes from 20% of your plans/business/customer types/etc.
But I do not consider it profitable if I am doing a Mort 30 phone calls trying to hook up all the varied party members trying to make it work. And not worth the headache.
.

Click to expand...

undersea said:

But I do not consider it profitable if I am doing a Mort 30 phone calls trying to hook up all the varied party members trying to make it work. And not worth the headache.

Click to expand...

Without even getting the booking!

Morticia said:

It wouldn't have been so bad except everyone slept late. Usually we have at least 2-3 rooms ready to go at 8. The past 7 days? NO ONE up before 8:30. Most not until 9. That leaves 30 minutes to feed all those people (never works) and most guests having to wait.
I've been on about the 20 minutes it takes to cook breakfast, so imagine then tacking on 20 minutes waiting to sit down!
Yes, stressful. But at least possible death and injury is not included in the worry like the first two!
Right now I'm waiting for everyone to leave so we can START cleaning. Sigh.
I have no idea how anyone hosts weddings or elopements. I cannot get my head around that at all..

Click to expand...

The elopements the way I do them are not bad - no more than 4 people can come (usually none). The most stressful one was when the newspaper was covering it.
Have one coming up in July. Have wised up to a 25% non-refundable deposit which helps. This one, they are coming in the night before also, so I will have breakfast to fix & clear. I will bake the cake the night before and decorate it. Preacher Beecher has already got it on her schedule and we know what time. Next week I will call the florist and order the flowers to be picked up the morning of (would get them on the way but they close at 1 on Saturday). Will have the batteries on the camcorder and my camera charged up. The cider will be chilled Since I do everything other than flowers & ceremony there is no one to give me grief. A couple days later, I go pay the Historical Assoc for the venue.