What is High End Event Planning
WHAT IS HIGH END EVENT & MEETING PLANNING
High-end event planning is the concept of planning events that have high costs, especially in metropolitan areas like Washington DC, Los Angeles and New York City. Event-planning consultations with Save the Date can cost $2,500 and total event coordination costs up to $35,000.
HIGH END EVENT STANDARDS
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- Custom Designed Invitations in specialty fabrics
- Luxury Table Linens
- Floral Centerpieces
- Fine China and Flatware
- Pre-event cocktail receptions
- Entertainment
- Onsite Concierge Services
- Professional Photography
- Professional Videography
- Attendee Gifts
- Specialty Catering
DECOR
No one, especially clients, likes a DIY signature event where the proper details are not in order. You can use quality linens or at most hotels, the standard linens can be used to your advantage. Some details that are key to producing high end events are:
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- Linens – Between $350-600
- Chairs – $600-10000 per chair rental
- Florals – $1500-2000
- Graphic Design – $75 per hour
AUDIOVISUAL
- TELECONFERENCING AND TRANSLATION
For international meetings and events, optional support can be teleconferencing, live streaming and other forms of meeting support. We provide meeting support and translation services in several languages for a nominal fee. Languages include: French, Spanish and Arabic. Our logistics managers can program your event for digital use, live stream and up-to-date social mapping. Ask about our Podcast service.
- SPEAKER AND PRESENTATION PACKAGES
A basic audiovisual package begins at $3500 for most hotels. The technicians are union workers so there is an hourly, minimal labor cost of 4 hours. The package generally includes:
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- Projector
- Projector screen
- Microphones
- Podium
- Laptop / Computer setup
- Onsite support
PHOTOGRAPHY
We employ a professional photographer whose role is to capture the beauty of each event. His only job is to take photographs of the elements of the event and the attendees. At the end of the event, the client is presented with a digital and hard bound book of the event experience. A professional photographer is one who works full time at his profession an has state of the art equipment. Take a look at our blog post on HOW TO HIRE AN EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER.
The average cost of a photographer begins at $650 per hour (4 hour minimum)
VIDEOGRAPHY
Event videography can be tricky at times which is why it is important to hire a videographer who is NOT a photographer. The videographer will be able to determine lighting, sound and deliver your event in a high definition format for use on the internet and on a disc format. The videographer’s expertise at editing can either make or break your event.
The average cost of videography for 2 hours begins at $2500.
TAX & COST PROJECTIONS FORMULA
Event costing consists of many different factors. It is the responsibility of the client to have an estimated budget prepared prior to contacting the event planning company.
In order to provide potential clients with prices, we would have to engage in the following:
- Select 2 or three venues
- Pre select a catering menu in order to price for each venue for two to three separate time frames
- Estimate the audiovisual for each venue
- Estimate design costs without a theme outline
- Price menus for three different times if the client does not know what type of event or meeting they prefer.
In order to prepare an event quote the planner must “do work” with no guarantee of being employed. That said, our veteran planners can only give estimations. Unfortunately, CBD does not provide “proposals” for events, event consultations or budgets until after we have been hired. We will gladly provide an event consultation for a nominal fee.
The projected cost estimations are calculated based on a minimum of 100 attendees and does not include a venue tax and gratuity. Prices are Exclusive of 21% Service Charge and 10% Washington DC Sales Tax.
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