Blog
Tips, guides, and insights for event professionals
Event Planner Pricing Calculator: Set Your Fees
Use this event planner pricing calculator guide to set profitable fees. Covers flat-rate, hourly, and percentage models with formulas and real examples.
More posts
Event RFP Template for Professional Planners
A ready-to-use event RFP template with category-specific sections, evaluation criteria, and tips for getting clear vendor proposals.
How Much to Tip Event Staff and Vendors
Event tip and gratuity guide for planners with standard rates by role. Covers servers, bartenders, valet, coat check, and more.
Event Staff-to-Guest Ratios by Service Role
Event staff-to-guest ratios by role: servers 1:8-10 for plated, 1:20 for buffet, plus bartenders, captains, bussers, coat check, valet, and security.
How Much Deposit Do Event Vendors Require?
Standard event vendor deposit percentages range from 25% to 50%. See exact rates by vendor type, payment schedules, and negotiation tips.
Micro Wedding Planning Checklist
A step-by-step micro wedding planning checklist covering budgets, venues, vendors, timelines, and guest communication for intimate celebrations.
How to Hire Vendors for Your Wedding
Step-by-step guide to hiring wedding vendors. Covers vendor categories, booking timelines, vetting criteria, and contract essentials.
How to Brief Event Staff Before an Event
Learn how to brief event staff before an event with a structured document, timed delivery, and role-specific details that prevent day-of confusion.
Cvent Alternatives for Small Event Planners
Compare Cvent alternatives built for small event planners who need vendor management, budgets, and client tracking without enterprise complexity.
How to Invoice Event Clients and Get Paid
A practical guide to invoicing event clients, from payment schedules and itemized billing to late payment follow-ups that protect your cash flow.
Event Vendor Performance Scorecard Guide
Build an event vendor performance scorecard with 5 KPIs, weighted scoring, and a ready-to-use template for consistent vendor evaluation.
Event Budgeting Apps: A Practical Guide for Planners
Find the right event budgeting app for your workflow. Compare tool types, evaluation criteria, and setup tips for event planners.
Cut Event Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
Practical strategies to reduce event costs while maintaining quality. Learn budgeting, vendor, and planning tactics that protect your margins.
Dubsado vs HoneyBook for Event Planners
Compare Dubsado vs HoneyBook for event planners. Pricing, automation, client management, and where both fall short for multi-vendor events.
Event Risk Management Plan Template
Build an event risk management plan that covers vendor, weather, budget, and safety risks. Free template with assessment matrix for event planners.
Aisle Planner vs HoneyBook for Event Planners
Compare Aisle Planner vs HoneyBook for event planning. Features, pricing, and limitations to help you pick the right tool.
Event Planning Workflow That Keeps Projects on Track
Build a repeatable event planning workflow that moves from brief to execution without dropped tasks. Practical steps for professional planners.
Wedding Planning Software for Portugal
Find the right wedding planning software for Portugal. Compare features, local requirements, and pricing for professional wedding planners.
Corporate Event Management Software for Portugal
Find the right corporate event management software for Portugal. Compare features, workflows, and pricing for professional event teams.
Event Collaboration Tools for Planning Teams
Find the right event collaboration tools for your planning team. Compare features, avoid tool sprawl, and keep every team member aligned.
Best Wedding Planner Tools for 2026 (Solo to Team)
Wedding planner tools for 2026: client, vendor, budget, and day-of. Picks that scale from solo planners to full teams.
Event Cost Breakdown Template for Planners
Build an event cost breakdown template by event type with percentage allocations, line items, and tracking methods that keep your budget accurate.
Event Budget Contingency Planning Guide
Learn how to size, structure, and manage a contingency fund that protects your event budget from unexpected costs and last-minute changes.
Event Management Automation Tools for 2026
Learn which event management automation tools save real time. Practical workflows for vendor coordination, budgets, and client communication.
5 Planning Pod Alternatives Compared (2026)
5 Planning Pod alternatives compared: Tripleseat, Aisle Planner, Dubsado, Perfect Venue, Abastio. Features, pricing, fit.
Event Day-of Coordination Checklist
A day-of coordination checklist for event planners covering vendor confirmations, team briefings, real-time ops, and post-event wrap-up.
How to Negotiate Event Vendor Pricing
Learn how to negotiate event vendor pricing with tactics that protect your budget without damaging supplier relationships.
Event Client Onboarding Template
A complete event client onboarding template with intake forms, kickoff checklists, and communication protocols for event planners.
Best Event Planning Apps Compared: 2026 Picks for Pros
Side-by-side comparison of event planning apps for 2026. Picks for operations, vendor coordination, client management, and invoicing.
AI Tools for Event Planning: A Practical Guide
Discover how AI tools for event planning help manage vendors, budgets, and client communication. Practical workflows for event organizers.
How to Create a Vendor Shortlist for Events
Step-by-step guide to creating a vendor shortlist for events. Covers sourcing, scoring criteria, red flags, and side-by-side comparison methods.
HoneyBook Alternatives for Event Planners
Compare HoneyBook alternatives built for event planners who manage multiple vendors, budgets, and teams for every event.
Event Planner Tools for Brazil: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to event planner tools for Brazil. Learn what features matter for managing suppliers, budgets, and clients in the Brazilian events market.
Free Wedding Planner Tools That Work
Which free wedding planner tools actually help professional planners manage vendors, budgets, and clients? A practical guide to building a free tool stack.
Event Planning Checklist: 6 Phases to Cover
Use this event planning checklist to manage every phase from goal-setting to post-event review. Covers budgets, vendors, logistics, and day-of ops.
Wedding Planning Software: A Guide for Pros
Which wedding planning software actually saves time? Compare must-have features, skip the gimmicks, and switch without losing a booking.
How to Write an Event Proposal That Wins Clients
Most event proposals lose because they focus on services instead of outcomes. Learn a practical framework for proposals that close deals and build trust.
How to Coordinate Wedding Vendors Like a Pro
The 5-System Method for coordinating 8-15 wedding vendors. Reverse timelines, 3-Wave confirmations, and per-vendor financial tracking.
Event Vendor Cancelled? Your 3-Step Recovery Plan
Your florist, DJ, or caterer just backed out. Follow this 3-phase protocol to find a replacement fast, brief your client, and keep the event on track.
Event Vendor Management Tips That Actually Work
Proven event vendor management tips for tracking, vetting, and reviewing suppliers. Includes a 6-stage vendor pipeline, payment milestones, and FAQs.
5 Signs You've Outgrown Spreadsheets for Event Planning
Spreadsheets got you started, but are they holding you back? Discover the warning signs that your event business needs better tools.
How to Create Event Budgets That Actually Work
Most event budgets fail because they miss hidden costs. Learn a practical framework for building budgets that keep your events profitable.
Ready to simplify your event management?
Try Abastio free and see how it streamlines vendor coordination.
Start free