One thing I never tire of as a wedding and event venue owner is the chance to have meaningful conversations with our customers. Conversations with couples who want advice on creating the wedding of their dreams. Conversations with event planners who are curious about the best events we’ve delivered here—and how they can achieve similar results. Conversations with families arranging parties who want a celebration that’s as special as their loved ones.

What I’ve noticed during these conversations is two words tend to come up repeatedly: “always” and “never.” After more than a decade in the events business, I’ve gotten a good feel for the planning steps and strategies that are essential. And I know the mistakes planners must avoid.

While I’m looking forward to many more conversations with customers on what I believe makes for an unforgettable event, I thought it would be helpful to make my top always-never items available to anyone who’d like to see them. Here they are.

Always Do These Things

I’m starting with the things I’d strongly advise you to do if you’re planning an event of any kind. These are your keys to excellence.

Always have all the essentials you need to deliver a successful event ready: food, sound equipment, just-in-case items (from a generator to an emergency kit for the bride), you name it. This includes plenty of service staff—Talk with your venue about this. Make sure whenever you throw a party or arrange an event, that everything you and your guests might need will be on hand.

Always insist your food is prepared fresh and onsite if possible. Even when food is expertly prepared, serving it immediately will elevate your guests’ experience and their perception of your event.

Always have access to up-to-date information about your event, day or night, 24/7. Staying on top of your event will give you peace of mind, encourage ongoing communication with everyone who is playing a role in your event, and help you make sure nothing falls through the cracks. We’ve seen this for ourselves at The Bell Tower on 34th since we started providing an online portal for our customers so they can check event details like their menu, seating plan, and payments around the clock.

Always under promise and overdeliver. This is an excellent strategy for delighting your guests. Give them the details they need to decide whether to attend your event but keep the steps you plan to take to make your event truly magical for them—from the amazing food you’ll be providing to the excellent service you’ve ensured they’ll get—to yourself.

Never Do These Things

These are the choices and missteps you should be aware of and steer clear of. They're not just about hospitality for your guests—they're also about safeguarding your interests and your wallet.

Never pay for an entire day at a venue if you don’t need it. Talk with venues about their policies and packages. Can you book for a half-day or for a set number of hours? Venues that don’t require full-day reservations show that they understand their customers’ diverse needs, budget constraints, and concerns.

Never pay extra for the following:

-Your cake-cutting: This is often a simple service, but some venues charge for it.

-Vendor buyouts: These are fees imposed for bringing in outside vendors not on the venue's approved list. It's a charge that can significantly inflate your expenses and restrict your choices.

-Beverage service: Charges for passing drinks during your cocktail hour or refilling water or wine glasses during meals can add up quickly.

-Rehearsals, bridal portraits, and tastings: While these are standard parts of the wedding experience, some venues capitalize on them with additional fees.

Never ask your guests to pay for parking or expect them to walk a long distance to attend your event.

Make Your Standards Clear

Keep these always-and-never items in mind as you research venues and include them in your conversations with venue representatives. The people you interview should be able to tell you exactly how they’ll accommodate you.

Believe me, these dos and don’ts are not unreasonable, and standing firm on them will have a tremendous impact on the success of your event.

The Bell Tower on 34th is one of the leading wedding and event venues in Houston. Our venue, with a chapel, grand staircase, waterwall, and Old-World charm, offers full planning services, onsite security, and free valet parking. Learn more about our event packages and pricing.

Roger Igo is the founder and CEO of The Bell Tower on 34th. During the last several decades, Roger has been responsible for thousands of successful events. He is a former council cabinet member of the World Affairs Council of Houston, served on the board of the International Live Events Association (formerly known as the International Special Events Society), and is a current member of the National Association of Catering Executives and Meeting Professionals International. He is also a graduate of CEO Space International and an alumnus of the Disney Institute.

The Bell Tower on 34th

901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018

(713) 868-2355