– This is not your party, and you can’t cry if you want to.
– The headaches are all yours.
– The client is always right, even when he or she is wrong.
– You are there to interpret and suggest, but not to impose your sense of style
on an event if the client disagrees.
– 

– Plan and manage personal events such as a child’s birthday party, a special
occasion such as an anniversary, graduation celebration, adult’s birthday,
retirement party, or reunion.

– Plan and manage business events such as cocktail parties, product introductions,

– fund-raisers, open houses, retirement parties, and holiday parties.

– Design an event that meets your client’s needs, wishes, and budget.

– Develop a network of reliable and professional service providers such as

– caterers, servers, bartenders, entertainers, and setup and cleanup crews

– Stay abreast of appropriate locations for events that will be held outside of

– your client’s residence or place of business.

– Write an inclusive contract for your services that properly spells out all that you will provide.

– Budget accurately and maintain records for proper billing.

Most common problems & challenges to watch out for as an Party Planner:

1. Overspending on the event is a big event challenge
2. Not having a backup plan for bad weather is an event problem
3. Lack of real world work experience can be an event challenge
4. Having more guests or attendees than you planned for is an event mistake
5. Spend the time to learn about available caterers, locations, entertainers, setup
crews, furniture and equipment rentals, and other services you may need
7. 

Getting started you will need to comply with the following:
1. Company registration certificate
2. SARS Tax
3. Bank Account

Systems Required
1. Smartphone / Laptop / Computer
2. Accounting/Invoice software
2. 

1. Charge a flat fee for your services;
2. offer a cost-plus contract in which the client agrees to
pay all agreed-upon expenses plus a specified percentage; or
3. Provide an all inclusive contract in which the client sees only the bottom line.

1. Advertising and Promotions
2. 

1. Spend the time to learn about available caterers, locations, entertainers, setup crews, furniture and equipment rentals, and other services you may need
2. Read your local newspaper carefully to learn about social events and parties
in your area.
3. Consider the newspaper or social media coverage as part of your research about what kind of events are put on and how they are set up
4. Visit the locations for events you might manage
5. Obtain price lists and advance calendars that let you know when facilities may already be booked.
6. Gather a database of prices for all of the available services from service
providers.