Employed versus Employee: Advantages and Disadvantages

Many event planners are self-employed, while others work for businesses or organizations. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of position. If you decide that you would like to pursue event planning as a career, it's helpful to know which type of position would best fill your needs.

As an independent, self-employed event planner, you have an enormous degree of flexibility. This flexibility extends to:

* The types of events you plan
* The number of events you plan
* Where you work
* The hours you work

An independent event planner can specialize in a certain type of event - weddings, for example - or have the opportunity to plan a wide variety of events. Because they're self-employed, they can work either part-time or full-time, depending upon their preferences. They can work from home, which gives them the opportunity, for example, to greet their children when they come home from school. Since they set their own schedule, they can maintain a high quality of life and work the hours that best suit their lifestyle.

*Some other points to think about*
The benefits of being self-employed are counterbalanced by some drawbacks. The primary challenge is an inconsistent income stream. Because freelance event planners can't count on a steady pay cheque, they can have the tendency to overbook themselves and experience stress. Similarly, they don't have a safety net, such as sick time or holidays, to tide them over should they become ill. Since a self-employed event planner is, in effect, a small business owner, they must also have strong business and marketing skills.

Finally, depending on where the event planner lives, they must also be aware of the tax implications of being self-employed, such as paying income tax (we cover this in our Diploma in Event Planning).

*Why you should become a permanent employee*
Being employed as an event planner, on the other hand, brings with it a semblance of financial security. In addition to a regular pay cheque, it's likely that their employer provides them with some benefits, such as sick leave and holiday pay. Similarly, working for a company often gives the event planner an infrastructure of resources upon which to draw. Office equipment, extra staffing, and a departmental budget are often available to them.

*The drawbacks of being a permanent employee*
An employee simply doesn't have the flexibility that a self-employed event planner enjoys. The employee may only have the opportunity to plan a limited type of event, they are subject to supervision and office politics, and they are usually expected to work regular business hours as well as the extra hours needed for after-hours events.

*It's your choice*
Whether you thrive as an independent event planner or as an employee is to a large extent determined by the type of person you are. Entrepreneurial types do well working independently, while those who feel more comfortable with a regular pay cheque will feel less stress working as an employee.

The History of the Wedding Garter Toss Ritual

The origin of the garter toss ritual dates back in history as a well known tradition that differs somewhat today in its practices, meanings and sentimental notions. Both the garter itself and the garter toss ritual have been deep-rooted as a pivotal element within wedding festivities for centuries. Although changes and improvements have been made over time, the basics of the bride wearing a garter and it being tossed to single men has remained the same and stood the test of time.

The Origin of the Wedding Garter Toss Ritual

The garter toss is one of the oldest customs surviving wedding rituals. The garter toss became common at weddings in the 1500s in France. Originally, it was related to the concept of consummation of the marriage. The bridal party would approach the bride and groom’s bedroom for proof that the deed was accomplished. They would then take an item of the bride’s clothing for good luck. This was often the garter used to hold up the bride’s stockings. The groomsman who retrieved the garter would then wear it in his hat for the remainder of the wedding celebration.

During the nineteenth century, as brides and grooms became uncomfortable with visitors in their chambers, the tradition evolved to that of the bride tossing her garter to the groomsmen before the end of the reception. However, the men would often become violent competing for the garter and would sometimes tear at the bride’s dress or even flip her upside down to take the garter off before she had a chance.

Finally, the ritual changed to include the groom gaining full rights to the garter removal.
This protected the bride from potential injury and put the onus on the groom to declare consummation of the marriage. Even though the wedding garter toss ritual has changed somewhat over time, for some couples the tradition of wearing and tossing the garter is still one of the most anticipated events at a wedding. Conversely, for others who feel this tradition has
become outdated, there are other alternatives available.

Our Job: As a wedding coordinator find out if the couple would like to do the traditional garter toss. Help the bride get one or two garters. Make sure the bride has it to wear on the day of the wedding and the groom has the extra garter he is going to toss in his pocket.

Wedding Planning Course starting soon – Correspondence course!

Enroll now for our National Certificate in Events – included in the course is the theory and practical subjects!

Correspondence course and part practical

Competition:
Answer the following question and stand a chance to win a draping foundation course! Send your answer back to gryelind@mweb.co.za

Question: Please explain to us the History behind the cake cutting ceremony?

Marieta Greyling
Imagine Events / Elect Training Academy
Tel: 076 780 4567 / 0829904828
Email: greylind@mweb.co.za
Web: www.imagineevents.co.za
http: //electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com

Kitch or Hot Trent … Wedding Themes

Weddings are special moments and more couples today are opting for non-traditional ideas to set their wedding apart from others. AND WHY NOT? It’s the bride’s special day and her personal touches should be everywhere to show the love and bond that are making them a couple.

Theme weddings have become one of the hottest trends in America – more slowly in South Africa! Presently, thematic weddings are representing almost 40% of weddings in America.

Theme weddings don’t have to break the client’s budget and it doesn’t have to be a circus of lolours and props. Themes can be incorporated in the wedding in a very subtle way. Remember: A wedding should never be lost to a theme but adding extra elements to make a wedding different provides guests a glimpse of the personality of the new couple.

Event Coordinator vs. Events Decorator

First of all – the question is: what is the difference between an events coordinator and an events decorator? It is very easy to become an events coordinator in today’s society. Every second person that organized their nieces wedding thinks they can be an events coordinator or an events decorator. You need a telephone, pc and website and there you go…you are in business. Wrong!

I think it is of utmost importance that if you want to get into this industry you need to equip yourself as much as possible. Yes, an events coordinator is mostly working with the client, sitting at the computer and organizing the function, where the decorator will get mood boards together, deciding on what décor to use, hiring the décor and then set up the dream event for the client.

Just think about the following: you decide you do not want to do draping for functions, you get a client that wants their whole wedding venue draped. You start phoning around to get a draping specialist to do the draping. If you’ve got no knowledge of draping – how are you going to know if they are doing the right job, using the right material etc. How can you then make sure that your client gets what they are paying for?

The same with flowers, living décor etc. If you don’t know what the new trends is, what type of décor you can get – how can you be the best events coordinator in town?

Common pitfalls in draping and decorating

1. Not planning for the unexpected

Not making contingency plans is related to the pitfall of making assumptions. When you don't have a contingency plan, you're assuming every aspect of the décor of an event will run smoothly. This is never the case. Something will go wrong and you need to be prepared for it.

The best-case scenario is that you've made a contingency plan and implemented it in such a way that your client never notices the difference. In order to make contingency plans, you need to think of every possible scenario: from the florist being a no-show to a thunderstorm on the day of your outdoor reception.

When you have a back-up plan, you'll never be at a loss when the unthinkable happens. I always say – you need to have a plan A, plan B, plan C, right down to plan Z, and then go to plan AA and so you go on. You are never without a plan!

2. Listen closely to your client's vision and do your best to make their dream - not yours - a reality.

3. Using inexperienced suppliers

While it's true that everyone has to start somewhere, your suppliers should have proven track records and so do you! If you decide to venture into the draping and décor business: the best is to start doing welfare functions, birthdays and weddings free of charge or at cost. In this way you build up an excellent portfolio.

At one of our very high profile functions – the client hired a drapist. What they did not know is that this was her first draping job. She went and bought her material and she was ready to drape. Needless to say – she did not even have enough draping material to finish the job and we where 200 km from the nearest shop. We managed to save the day and hire in one of our preferred suppliers! Remember – YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

These are just a few of the reasons that we’ve decided to combine both the theory and practical course in ONE course. You get the best of both sides of the events industry if you study with us!

For more information about our exciting courses please visit Drum Beat Academy's Tourism and Event Support Website.

Colours of 2011

Another year – and NEW beginnings for many of us…. Maybe it is even your chance to do what you’ve been dreaming about for many years. Step out into the events industry and start your own company or just take that BIG step – enroll for a course and start preparing yourself for a future in the events industry!

It is also a time for NEW beginnings in our companies. As you know Elect Training Academy (Cape Town) and Drum Beat Academy (Pretoria) has formed an association. By doing that we are able to offer students the best course in South Africa in Events Management. The full course that we’ve put together consist out of the National Certificate in Events Support and then also all the practical courses in events décor i.e draping foundation, décor foundation etc. We are also proud to tell you that we are the only institute in South Africa that’s got this course running.

Our newest and most exiting news for 2011 is the fact that from January 2011 you are now able to do most of your theoretical classes for home study, this means less driving up and down to classes as well as the opportunity to do this course in your own time!

I found this mood board on the wedding sketchbook website and YES, I ADORE THE COLOURS OF 2011! In a previous newsletter we chatted about the colour schemes of 2011 – and how to use the purples in your wedding décor for a very dramatic look. Now we are looking at a more romantic look in all the spring colours – Honeysuckle!

Table Setting & Centre Pieces

Cluster Centre pieces are very much in fashion these days. Here is an idea on “how to think out of the box”.

Boxes topped with flowers make a beautiful centerpiece; a table number is embroidered onto ribbon encircling the largest box.

Inside, the stems sit in water bottles stabilized by crumpled paper. Favor boxes, which contain nonpareils, double as place cards.

Tools and Materials
Gift paper (enough to wrap around lid and overlap slightly)
Small boxes
Double-sided tape
Flowers of choice
Utility knife,
Plastic flower tube
Nonpareils (chocolate disks or small sweets)

Flower Boxes How-To
1. Tape paper around edge of box lid.
2. Using a utility knife, cut an opening in the center of the lid.
3. Cut off top of flower tube so it's just shorter than box. Add a bit of water to tube.
Insert flowers into tube; insert tube into lid.
4. Fill box with nonpareils (leave room for flower tube); close box.

PS: Article from Martha Steward Weddings

Just some more info on our courses: Elect Training Academy works in Association with Drum Beat Academy and International Hotel School. At our Drum Beat campuses we offer all the short courses and the part time events management course. At the International Hotel School we offer only the short courses at this moment.

A reminder of this week’s upcoming courses:

Johannesburg:

16 & 17 September – Draping Foundation
11 – 12 October – Décor Foundation
13 – 15 October – Décor Advance

Pretoria:

15 – 18 September – Advance Décor
Part time course
8 – 9 October – Draping Foundation

Cape Town: Part time course
13 – 14 September – Draping foundation
15 – 17 September – Advance Draping

Durban:

15 – 17 September – Kids Party Planning
30 Sept – 1 Oct – Foundation Décor
8 – 9 October – Draping foundation

A reminder also that we do have a payment plan available should you need it!

Kids Party Planning Course

It’s party time next week at Drumbeat Academy in Pretoria! This course is for all the undercover fairies, spies and pirates out there.

Did you ever dreamed of being a fairy princess, a pirate, a fireman or even just dreamed about never-never land…. But now you are and adult and you have responsibilities and there is no place in life for fairytales… Wrong!!

There are places where fairytales can come alive and even bring some money to you. You can start your own children’s party company. Let me just tell you before you even start thinking about it…. It is not for the faint of heart! You have to be full of patients and LUVVVV… for other people’s children! The second biggest thing is that you cannot stand the whole time and talk to the kids… they don’t just wants to see your nostrils the whole time – get down, get to their level and connect with the kiddies where they are!

This is the type of company a mom with small kids can think off. You’ve got an instant customer base with all the friends of your kids and all the kids in the school where your child attends. As a Kids Party Business owner you'll experience the joy of a business that puts you in charge. You'll be able to choose your own hours and schedule your work around your family first.

Kiddie’s parties have become big business. With the rise in single parent and two working parent homes, this means that many parents don’t have the time to plan and coordinate these parties themselves. Specializing in pulling of fabulous children’s parties may be the perfect home business for an energetic, creative and organized person!

Join us on the kid’s party planning course next week! 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th (evening class) 28th (whole day) August 2010. Classes will run from 18:00 to 21:30 each night and the Saturday – 9:00 to 13:00.

We end this course with a Fairy Party at Drum Beat Academy and if you have a little girl - you are welcome to bring her to the party!

In this course we will deal with issues such as themes, how to build your own props, party programs, invitations, admin, and holiday programs and corporate kids parties.

This course is still on special: normally R5500.00 –

now only R3000.00

Payment plan available!

Black and White Elegance

Colors can sometimes make for the simplest, yet most striking statements at a wedding. A classical black and white wedding theme is still a very popular choice among couples. Simple, yet sophisticated, this theme is fairly simple to plan.

With a Black and White wedding theme – Simplicity is the way to go. Keep your wedding attire as elegant and plain as possible – Ruffles and Frills don’t go with this theme! The bridal dress should be white with accents of black and if you wish to then you can get your bridesmaids to wear black.

Keep in mind, a single flower can often make more of an elegant statement than an overflowing bouquet, especially with a black and white wedding theme.
However, if you would like to waver a bit from the strictly black and white wedding scheme, consider adding the slightest hints of one other color as contrast, such as bright red, bright pink, emerald green or a hint of gold.

Don't go overboard though... add just a hint here and there. For example, white roses with the tips tinted red and nestled in a black vase sitting on a table covered in a white tablecloth. Use black napkins secured with white napkin rings and a hint of some other color. These are simple accents that you could try which won't overpower the black and white theme.

Some things to remember about our courses: Our courses are both Theory and Practical – Elect Training Academy work in Association with Drum Beat Academy. Our courses are also endorsed and sometimes presented by the International Hotel School of South Africa

Information Sessions:

• Our next information session in Pretoria is on 10 August 2010 @ Drum Beat Academy in Groenkloof – Time: 19:00. We will be finished @ 20:00
• Our next information session in Cape Town is on 31 July 2010 @ The Lord Charles Hotel – Somerset West – Time: 10:00
• Our next information session in Durban is on 22 July @ The Westville Hotel in Westville – Durban – Time: 19:00. We will be finished @ 20:00

Please let us know if you want to attend the session then we can send you more info.

Our next courses:

Foundational Draping in Durban: 23 & 24 July 2010 – Westville Hotel
Foundational Draping in Cape Town: 13 & 14 August 2010 – Somerset West
Foundational Draping in Pretoria: 20 & 21 August 2010 – Drum beat academy

Advance Draping in Pretoria: 28 & 29 July (evening classes) 30 & 31 July 2010 (full day)

Foundational Décor in Pretoria: 11 & 12 & 14 August OR 12 & 14 August 2010

Kids Party Planning: 23 – 28 August 2010 (Day or evening classes)

Events Management: Pretoria

We have an ongoing intake policy with the events management course in Pretoria – you can join us any Saturday.

Events Management: Cape Town

We start on the 4th of September with our new Events Management course.

Hope to see you at our info meetings!

Yvonne Prinsloo from Jehni Hire in Strand wants to sell all of her hiring stock. Chaircovers, Table cloths, runners etc. The stuff has almost never been used and I've seen it - it is in exellent order. Bargain! Pls contact Yvonne for more info. Yvonne [info@jehni.co.za]

Vintage Wedding Tips

Tips for a Vintage Wedding

Before you begin, pick an era and then design the wedding accordingly

Vintage is a concept of old mixed with new – so don’t feel you need to buy an array of new things that “look old.”

Have a look at 2nd hand or charity shops for old pieces or accessories that you can use. Be it retro furniture or art deco-inspired wall paper – you will find some bargains.

Pay attention to detail - like a string of pearl on an old book

Remember – if you decide on a theme – everything must fit into the theme. From music to the décor!