This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on February 20th, 2013. #WeddingMarket Chat With Event Planner and Designer Michael Russo. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.
Join Our Wedding Market Chats For Wedding Professionals Every Wednesday at 10:00PT, 1:00ET, and 6:00GMT (UK time) with the #WeddingMarket Hashmark On Twitter. Learn something new to help your business grow every week. The chats are hosted by Wedding Market editor Julie Albaugh (@juliealbaugh).
Michael Russo Bio:
Due to his notable style and flair for orchestrating the most unique events, Michael is quickly becoming popular with Hollywood’s brightest stars and some of the nation’s most influential people. Entertainment Tonight, Modern Bride, People Magazine, Us Weekly, Distinction Magazine, and Newsday are amongst the most recent sources you can see Michael’s featured talent. In speaking with many industry jetsetters, the thing that sets Michael apart from other event planners is his desire to create, but to create magic. He has a knack for spontaneity and this coupled with his keen sense of élan has him jolting up the stair for the stars. Michael’s tenure in the event planning and floral industry is going strong for over 10 years now.
Learn more about Michael Russo at http://www.michaelrussoevents.com
Q1: How did you get started in event planning?
Q2: How did you obtain your experience in event planning ?
A2: I then acquired a floral design position with a touch of Event planning. I’ve been designing flowers since I was 14!
Q3: What advice do you have for people wanting to get involved with event planning?
A3: You MUST LOVE/have a passion for this field and grow a thick skin Many personalities & you must meet them all with a smile. To add to this, make sure you get along with event vendors – if you get into a positive relationship with everyone you work with, it will make it much easier to find a caterer or a place for furniture hire UK when you need it the most. Everyone is looking out for each other in this industry so keep everything positive!
Q4: What trends are you seeing this year in events?
A4: Less is ALWAYS more, fabric patterns for gowns, linens and invite. Also, the grooms are becoming more involved.
Q5: What trends are you seeing as far as floral design for weddings this year?
A5: Using organic goods/materials and shade of one color
Q6: Where do you get your inspiration for design?
A6: From my everyday interaction and mostly from my clients personalities. It can start with something as simple as a crayon
Q7: How do work with a bride or couple in a first meeting?
A7: I tell them to close their eyes and in 3 words describe their perfect day. THIS IS KEY! They will set the mood instantly.
Q8: How do you deal with difficult customers?
A8: I sit them down and give them a pep talk. Putting the bigger picture in the forefront
Q9: What was it like to work on the wedding for Kevin Jonas?
A9: PURE BLISS Kevin n Dani were so easy and just like any other couple getting married. They gave me complete creative control.
Q10: Now how did you handle the blizzard conditions for Kevin’s wedding?
A10: having backup plans in place and all vendors working extra hard and as a TEAMFinding vendors you can trust is a huge task
Q11: What is key to planning a stellar event?
A11: Planning an event that fits the couple/highlighting their personalities. Don’t worry about pleasing everyone, it’s impossible. Just be on top of your own planning structure, as long as you plan not only for the event but for potential other needs, you’ll be okay. If you have a venue full of people with only a handful of loos, you need to look at alternatives, Platinum Pro Portables has flushable portable toilet rentals with sinks for Los Angeles County events, so if you are a planner living in Los Angeles, look into getting these ordered for happier event goers!
Q12: What are the top color schemes this year?
A12: I’m loving Emerald and Hot Pink for this year’s color scheme…
Q13: What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat ?
A13: Planning should be FUN! If getting stressed, take a moment and think of the bigger picture!!!
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Are you an event planner? Designer? or both?
A: BOTH! I wear many hats, I’m a therapist too 🙂
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What is the single most important piece of advice you could offer to an Event Planner who is just starting out?
A: Be YOURSELF!!!!
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Where do you do a lot of advertising online, do you pay for advertising?
A: My entire business is word of mouth!
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Do you charge a fixed fee, flat rate, or by hour?
A: NEVER a flat rate, you’ll work too hard and not be composted correctly.
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: So you create a custom package based on needs and budget. Do you have clients that only want 1 part?
A: I will only plan events in full, from start to finish..
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: How did you get started doing celebrity events? Did they call you? How did they find you?
A: I planned my friend @realjoeyfatone wedding
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: No social media involvement at all?
A: OF COURSE!! it’s free and reaches MILLIONS.
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What do you do with your social media on the day of the wedding?
A: NOT a peep!! My social media will begin once story breaks via magazines and TV. My clients are PRIVATE.
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Did you ever do any month of management when you started? If so how did you get away from it?
A: No never did! it’s crazy to jump into someone else’s ship before it’s about to sail! its a setup for a mess.
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Do you only do you floral work as part of a complete wedding?
A:Depends on the size of event and location..
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: Can you tell us who was your favorite celeb wedding to handle?
A: hmmmm! Thats hard but I LOVED working with @sherriEShepherdfrom @theviewTV
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What is it like to plan destination weddings?
A: I’m currently planning a wedding in Anguilla, BIG key of advice, EVERYONE is on Island time!!!! However, everything works out.
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What is the hardest part about planning a destination wedding?
A: Well, finding the PERFECT venue online. lets be honest, It’s hard because you can’t visit them all. Very $$$ to do so!
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: What is your favorite location for a destination wedding?
A: HANDS DOWN! Hotel Caruso in Italy.. http://www.hotelcaruso.com
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: How does working with celebrities differ from working with other couples? I’ve always wondered if security is always very stringent & what security measures are taken.
A: To be honest no difference, they are getting married for the 1st time like everyone else. I just need to make it PRIVATE. Thats the HARDEST thing.. After being in the biz for so long, I’m come up with a great formula…
#WeddingMarket Chat Question: How did you get in the circle of working with the Knot? Can you elaborate on 100% avail?
A: by creating magical events and being 100% available for my clients. I only do 6 major events per year to achieve this..I attend EVERY meeting with clients from cake tasting to thank you notes..
Join the Conversation →