Brittany Smith, our resident catering queen, is giving us insight this month on her favorite parts about planning special events for Beachcomber guests!
Becoming an event planner for a restaurant like Beachcomber is a dream. Not only does my everyday look different, but I also get to work with amazing couples, businesses and industry leaders. It’s so much fun watching an event go from a stressful idea to a beautiful party, and I have so much fun along the way.
I try to keep the process simple and straightforward; once someone inquires about an event, I send them our information packet on menu and space options so they can get a full picture of what we offer. Once they like what they see, we lock in a date and get down to the details. We start broad, general timeline, sequence of events, budget, etc. There are also a lot of applications and permits to fill out during the initial planning process, and it can seem like so much work, but I break it down piece by piece to make it manageable and easy.
I won’t lie, the planning process, while enjoyable and fun, can feel stressful to a lot of clients. There’s so much to do and so many decisions to make, that many people get overwhelmed in the details. But working with me alleviates a lot of that stress. I make it my goal to walk my clients through every step, holding their hand through each decision and coordinating everything behind the scenes so they get the party they’ve always envisioned.
The best part about my job? Being there every step of the way allows me to make a personal connection with each client. What starts out like a business transaction ends up feeling like a fun hang with friends; I’m not just there to ask you questions, I’m there to support you while you make decisions and get excited with you every time we cross something off the list. I love the hustle and bustle of my job, but it makes my job that much more enjoyable with each new personal connection I forge.
That personal connection really comes in handy during the planning process as well! Having to work within the rules and regulations of a state park can sometimes feel scary and make some of my guests anxious. I always tell everyone to trust the process but that can be difficult in the beginning. Once my clients trust me and know that I always have their best interest at heart and will execute the party of their dreams, trusting the process becomes a lot more of a reasonable request!
One of the professional aspects I love so much about my job is how easy it is to fall in love with the food and location. While the site visits, food tastings, and permit applications can take time and energy, I am never worried about how well my team can execute an event or if the food will taste good. My team is top tier with service, and our food is always delicious. But I will be honest, that’s only half the reason people come to me for parties. In truth, it’s the panoramic beach views and the gorgeous event spaces that really sell this place.
My favorite location is the Education Commons. It’s a more intimate space, only able to handle 60 total seated guests, making it the perfect location for smaller parties. What it lacks in size, however, it totally makes up for in personality and aesthetic. There are trees with string lights that make it look like a cute fairy garden at night, and a small cottage in the background that makes it feel like a beach party at your own home. It’s quaint and adorable and captures the perfect golden hour moment when the sun sets. So many photo ops!
No matter which space you choose or which menu fits better in your budget, I work up until the final moment before your party to make sure it goes according to plan. Between my post-it notes, calendar alerts, and trusty to-do list, I keep everything running smoothly and if I’ve done my job right, you’d never guess what’s happening behind the scenes!
