Our question to you - Do you dare to be rare? Here are our most common questions. Don't see yours? Click the Contact Us button - we will answer you! How much do you charge? This is our most common question! Our fee is based on the services you need. Typically, our fee ranges from $75.00 to $4500.00. We do not provide packages because all of our work is customized to fit your needs instead of your needs fitting into some predetermined box. Our clients are very pleased to hear that our services are so affordable - on any budget -that whether they are planning for the VFW hall or the Taj Mahal - they can still create their "vision" and stay within their budget! Do you charge for consultations? Yes, we do. Our consultations are so candid, we practically give you all of the information you will need to plan it yourself. Some people prefer the DIY method and need to get pointed in the right direction. But, many of our clients prefer to have us handle all of the details so when we are booked for services, we deduct the consultation fee from their invoice. We charge $75.00 per consultation. What would you do as our planner? Because we do so much for you, we can try to put it into a nutshell. Here goes... Once you become a client, we start off by compiling information about you, your budget and your style. We use that information to make decisions about the services your event requires and allocate a dollar amount to each item. We use a sophisticated budgeting program to determine these amounts - making it possible to keep your budget on track! After compiling a list of venues that match your requirements, we set appointments and start hunting - together! We have seen many venues over the years and can assure you that what you see online is not always what is in actuality. Because of this we take you to view each location for your final approval. This may take several day trips and lots of "site-seeing" but it is absolutely worth it! We ask the questions that would be beneficial to your event, taking into consideration the special services you may require. Once the venue is set, we move on to all of the services your event requires. Since we have already discussed your style, we quickly determine which select vendors (i.e. Photographer, Florist, transportation, stylists, etc.) are available for your date and find at least three within your budget. We set the appointments based on your schedule and meet the vendors together. Why do we select three for you to choose from? We want you to like them too! You will be with some of these vendors for most of the event. It is just as important for us to have your personalities mesh as it is for their service to be fantastic! The Rare Affair will then negotiate your contracts and submit them to you for signature and deposit. Fast forward to your event! Our staff arrives 30 minutes prior to your first vendor arrival and we stay until the last vendor leaves. There will always be at least two staff members on site for your event - coordinating services, supervising set-up and delivery, making payment to vendors and of course assisting you. We keep an emergency kit on site with all of those forgotten necessities as well remedies for those little mishaps that may occur such as garment tape or stain remover! Not to mention, a garment steamer to press those little wrinkles to make you look absolutely perfect! Whew! I feel like my life just flashed before my eyes! That is just a part of what we do for you but certainly, that is a big nutshell! What if we only need a little bit of help? We'd love to help you with your event - period. If that means a consulation to get you started in the right direction - we're here for you with lots of vendor suggestions and contact information. If you have planned your entire event but want someone to coordinate a schedule so the big day runs smoothly, we can do that for you also. We also provide Day Of Coordination, where we actually start the month before confirming payments and arrival times, etc. Sometimes we have clients who may have spent too much time choosing and not much time contracting. We can get those contracts locked up so that you may rest assured. Also, we produce rehearsals. Some venues will allow you the time to have one but will you know what to do when you get there? Will people pay attention? Don't worry, large or small scale help - we're there for you! How do vendors like working with you? I have not met with a vendor that has been offended by having an event planner working with them. Some who are unfamiliar with our position are pleased to find that we work together to make the event run as smoothly as possible. We make sure they are paid on time and that all paperwork is submitted completely. We provide detailed, up-to-date guest counts and room layouts for them. We even use customized table planning software that is a mirror of their own. | ||
Are there any hidden costs? No. And we mean it. We give you a very accurate price to produce your event. Also, we do not charge our clients for communication such as emails, phone calls, letters, postage, site visits, meetings, research, etc. Do you charge for travel time? Yes, sometimes. Occasionally, we do charge for the cost of overnight accomodations for events 50 miles outside of our home office in Why don't you have pictures of past events? The only photos we keep are of our staff with a very happy event host. We can, however, send you the link of a past event photographer so you can take a look at snaps of our events. Like this one by photographer Agnieszka Wormus in Boston. Make sure you write down the password - you will need it! This wedding was terrific! We had a casino room and the bride wore a fuschia wedding gown! http://photos.abrilliantphoto.com/gallery/2124698_pwUtG What can you do for us? Any possible need from design concept to exotic themes, we handle all of the details. Need a nanny for the event to handle the kids invited - we have them - all OCCS certified and CORI checked. How about an on site, licensed nurse for a guest who may be in need of special assistance while attending your event - we have that too. Unusual idea for a centerpiece - we find the vendor who can create it. What about a ride from the airport or hotel for your out of town guests - check. Planning on cuddly pets in the wedding? We have a trained handler for your furry family member! Oh, and of course the seamstress who can customize attire for that pet! Thinking of a desination wedding? We can locate services anywhere in the world! Is your destination the sky perhaps? Well, thats our limit. But, we can get that hot air balloon for your ceremony and put together a lovely reception wherever you plan to land. We do the little things too, like pick up your gown at the dress shop, schedule beauty services for the day of the wedding or a fun night with the girls and always negotiate the best price for those services. Anything to make your event relaxing and enjoyable! Can you go green for our Wedding? We appreciate your asking! We try to accomodate all requests from our clients. We will find the best locations that support a green lifestyle and get you the best local, organic catering around! We have jewelers who use conflict free diamonds as well as organic gold. We even have stationery vendors that supply plantable paper for your invitations! | ||
Timing is everything - right? How close to our event should we book your services? You should book The Rare Affair as soon as possible. We only produce one event per weekend and book up quickly - especially during the prime wedding season (May - October). You can take a two year engagement or you can take a two week engagement. Either way, we can handle it. We work with many vendors - so many in fact that whatever style you prefer we can arrange it. Giving us short notice is only a challenge for us - not you. | ||
Should I even hire an Event Planner? This one is easy! Planners take away the time you spend on your event stressing over the details. That does NOT mean we take away the fun of planning your event - we just do all the work! What it does mean is that you will be able to enjoy your celebration. It's so much more fun to get excited about your event and telling friends about your plans than it is to sit with a notebook making the phone calls during whatever spare time you have left during the day! You can choose all aspects of your day to make it everything you've always imagined! We ensure the proper discounts and guide you along the way - making sure you get the most for your hard-earned money. Also, hiring a planner makes it easy for you to actually make those plans come to fruition. No more running around during your lunch break to pick out your invitations, calling vendors to set up appointments or even coordinating schedules of the bridal party for that last hoorah! Your boss will thank you! Try to catch an episode of Bridezillas. You will notice that these poor brides DON'T have a coordinator. Consider us your girl friday. We handle all of the details - even the ones you didn't think of. Event planning and coordination is our passion. Didn't see your question listed? Click the Contact Us button above. We will respond! |