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!