Whether you’ve been working in wedding and events for a long time or you’re just starting out, you’ll be familiar with the work of Preston Bailey. This guy is a guru in the industry, a visionary of epic proportions and with good reason he is otherwise known as the ‘Wedding Designer to the Stars’. Last night at the Plan Your Perfect Day event in Sydney we had the great pleasure of hearing the floral master talk business, events, design and life.
{Preston Bailey asking ‘Who was a bridezilla or groomzilla?’}
We were hanging on every word and madly scribbling notes so we could share his words of wisdom with you! Yesterday we brought you his tips for brides; today we bring you our favourite Preston tips for wedding planners and event designers.
- Identify who you are and what you have to offer – offer something different!
- Don’t give away bargains. Can you believe that Preston Bailey was $2 million is debt when he started to make a name for himself?
- There is good service and then there is extraordinary service – provide extraordinary service.
- How do you provide extraordinary service? Give them something they didn’t know they needed.
- Make a connection with your clients, ‘dance on the table if you have to,’ says Preston, who also tries to conduct initial consultations with his clients in their home to discover more about who they are.
- Be inspired by artists and fashion designers. He recommends visiting art galleries and attending fashion shows to draw inspiration.
- The escort table is a great place to make a statement! Check out some of his statement escort tables.
- Sell magic!
What we love about these tips is that they’re simple! It may be the addition of a simple rose, a thank you note or an unexpected cup of tea!
{We’re totally not giving these events justice with these pictures, but hearing the design processes behind these finished products was insane!}
His secrets to success were perhaps the most interesting – you don’t gain a celebrity clientele by being mediocre! In addition to practising the tips above Preston shows his clients three design concepts. The first table or room will be designed in accordance with how much they intend on spending. The second will be set up a little over the intended budget while the third showcases something completely above and beyond the client’s imagination. 60% of the time the client will pick the third concept. What does this tell us? Your client often won’t know they want it unless you show it to them. Take them beyond even their own imagination!
And because we’re just a little (ok much more than a little!) entranced by Preston’s work here are a few more straight from the Preston Bailey gallery…
Special thanks to Jennifer Michael Events and Celebrity Access for giving us this fantastic opportunity and to Dockside for hosting the incredible event in style!
Plan Your Perfect Day is an annual event featuring an international celebrity guest speaker. Check out their Facebook page for news on next year’s event.
MW x
P.S Modern Wedding Editor Victoria Black had the opportunity to interview Preston at an exclusive media only event. For the contents of her interview you’ll have to wait for Luxury Weddings magazine, but here’s a sneaky peek of Preston at the event!