Q: Are you a Event Designer or a  Event planning company? What are the difference?

A: An event coordinator/planner is a logistical strategist an organizational mastermind.  They are in charged of setting the timeline and budget for the event as a whole, partnering with the creative team (vendors) who will service the event, managing this team, assisting the client with organizational tasks to keep the planning flowing smoothly throughout the process and then streamlining the activities that take place on the wedding or event day. Generally speaking, a PLANNER is not tasked with generating the design or creative elements of the wedding or event, however he or she is often in charge of finding the creative thinker who will best help the client in these capacities as well as assisting in the execution of various creative tasks.

An event designer is the artist, idea-maker, and aesthetic visionary behind the event. We will work with the client on everything from selecting a color palette to creating a floor plan, choosing linens, furniture and other rentals, imagining the floral designs and even developing branding for the event or wedding. A great designer is bringing new and innovative ideas to the table and not just harvesting décor from existing media sources. Most often, the designer will not assist the client in choosing other creative partners (vendors) unrelated to design or aesthetics and will not manage the logistics or flow of the event. It is important to know that while many DESIGNERS also offer PRODUCTION services – meaning the actual manpower that brings the designs to life such as building centerpieces or manufacturing backdrops – it is not uncommon for designers to be the creative force developing the concepts and ideas for an event that they will then outsource to another team for production.  Sometimes you will hear the term event/wedding STYLIST – this can refer to a designer who does not offer production.

Q: How does your investment structure work?

A: Deposit / Retainer: A retainer of 50% of the estimated investment and a signed contract are required prior to any services being performed by A. Purnell Production . *The retainer is non-refundable.

Payment Schedule:  The remaining 50% of the balance is due at the Wrap–Up appointment which occurs one month to 2 weeks before your event. 

The final payment is due no later than two weeks prior to your event date. If payment is not received by that time, contracted services may cease until payment due to consultant is paid in full, or services will be canceled.

Q: Will you do all the set up and clean up of my event? 

A: Great question. The short answer is that we are designers not janitors, caterers, or a moving company. We do not sweep, mop, or bus tables to clean up after your event. If hired only for the event, we do not bring truckloads of furniture or decor items to your event and install them for you (unless you have hired us for design -and then we totally do!)  However, we can definitely hire people to take care of that for you if your caterer or venue

We do help with most of your decor set up and oversee all vendor installations. We also make sure that everything for your ceremony, reception, or event is set up as planned and on time. Sometimes additional staffing is required to meet your needs for set up and tear down when decor is complicated or when guests lists are large – and we are super happy to help you tackle those logistics and hire the right people to make sure your event is AWESOME and there are no stinky dishes piled in the corner after dessert.