Should you book your event production first, or last?

For years, we’ve heard from prospective clients that “We’ve got everything else, we just need a [DJ/Lighting/Audio…]”. But, we’ve also heard “We’re just getting started, you’re our first call!” Which, is super exciting. Of course, we know that hosting an event becomes expensive quickly, so most people budget accordingly. But, there’s a few things we want to point out before you get into deep water and remember that you need entertainment.

Often times, we find that when customers come to us, they’ve already thought of a price they want to pay for X service, without having done research into what these things actually cost. When budgeting your event out, especially entertainment, keep in mind that you always get exactly what you pay for. Going the cheaper option might not be the best idea. Unless, of course, that price is cheaper only because it’s competitive. Also remember that the entertainment is the most important part of any party! Without music, guests won’t want to stay the whole night!

You also don’t need all of the bells and whistles! If things start getting out of hand price wise, keep in mind that the add-ons to every package are optional, and you’ll always receive the same, high quality entertainment and production services.

Here are my thoughts. As someone who has spent their entire life working in the entertainment industry, who is also biased, you should book your entertainment first. Budget more than you’d expect for your entertainment. The risk versus reward when it comes to your entertainment or production is not worth the dabble. In the end, you’ll be happier you spent a little bit more on your entertainment.

The actual verdict? Do what works best for you. Entertainment companies - especially those that are highly sought after - tend to book up fast. That’s something to keep in mind when deciding to hold off on booking the production or entertainment. But, booking entertainment first and foremost allows you to re-structure your budget for the remainder of the event, and allocate funds to the correct spots.