Choosing the right Creative Partners aka Vendors

Hi guys. I am Lorenda Howell of Lorenda Howell Events, here creating an experience to tell your story the right way through stress-free event planning. Today, we are going to talk about the importance of choosing the right creative partners.

Let’s start with the question, I’m sure you all (y’all, lol) are wondering. What is a creative partner? A creative partner, is the same thing most people call a vendor? Why do I call them creative partners instead of vendors? Well, I like to be fancy, lol. Truly, because that’s what they are. There is nothing wrong with the word “vendor” and I will not correct you if you call them vendors. I choose this term because the vendors that I present to you are unique and have the creative ability to bring your dreams and visions to life. These people are vetted and we have a partnership that operates with a clear understanding of what is best for the client.

If you are wondering why I’m putting so much focus or emphasis on creative partners, its because the ones chosen for your event will be the way we lay the foundation for the success of it. Once you choose your planner, your planner should be able to select or give recommendations to creative partners that will not just fit your vision but also fit into your budget and further the process in a way that makes sense. Each element needs to line up. I can’t find a DJ that fits your vision but is beyond your budget because not matter how much you love their work, you can’t really afford them and vice versa. I can’t find you a DJ that is in your budget, but completely goes against your vision. That will not further the process in a way that makes sense.

I have always prided myself in being able to work within my clients vision and budget. A Los Angeles wedding planner, named Mindy Weiss once said “The first rule for choosing vendors, is to avoid those that suggest your budget isn’t sufficient. The planning process should be about taking your ideas and making them work.” I agree with this statement. If I have a potential client approach me and I truly do not believe I can work within their budget and make their vision happen, I will tell them that. I am upfront and on honest about that, because it hurts both of us if I do not tell you the truth.

I believe in setting the correct expectations so that you know how we can move forward. I’d much rather tell you that something can’t work in the beginning and upset you temporarily, than allow us to go through an entire planning process and then tell you something can’t work, when it’s too late. At that point you will truly be crushed and there may be nothing that can be done to rectify the issue, if I wait that long. So, if we sit down and you tell me “I have $XX amount of dollars, set aside, that I would like to spend on XX amount of guests” and It’s beyond the realms of possibility for me, I will need to have a tough conversation with you, but be assured that if a tough conversation has to happen, know that I will not leave you in that tough place. I will give you alternatives or I will gladly direct you to another planner that I know can execute your event and tell your story the right way.

The goal is to make sure your dreams and visions are brought to life the right right way and if my only way of ensuring that happens, is by referring you to another planner then so be it. It’s a win for you, a win for me and a win for the entire event industry, because community over competition is the way it should be.

-Lorenda Howell