Tips for Planning Your Event at a Private Estate
Tips for Planning Your Event at a Private Estate:
The Location –
If you are renting a private estate, please make sure that you’re working with a reputable company, with full authority to rent the property. Also, make sure that the estate is not for sale. We have been renting private estates and mansions for over 20 years and I have heard several horror stories about last-minute estate unavailability, a true disaster!
Force Majeure –
Make sure that you have one in place that spells out possible things that can happen to disrupt your wedding or special event. Whether you are having a wedding or party at a hotel or private home, things can happen such as an earthquake, floor, pandemic (hopefully not for another 100 years). We recommend having something added where you can have a mutual reschedule date options when things are back to normal and it is safe and legal.
Refundable Security Deposit –
We require a refundable security deposit with all of our private property rentals. Our location office holds the deposit until the property rental has taken place and everything has been concluded. The refundable deposit is used for guest overage, overtime, any additional clean up and/or damage. Our clients and producers work with their event professional’s and their insurance to submit any claims should there be any damage. We also require before and after event photos and video to establish any pre-existing damage on the property as a layer of protection for our clients and homeowners.
The Caterer –
While interviewing caterers, be sure to check out their reviews and ask your planner about their recommendations. Experienced caterers understand the dynamics of having an event at a private home. They plan their staff and transportation accordingly and they make plans for the trash at the end of the night. Reputable caterers have enough staff on hand so your guests are not eating cold steak or chicken and half of your guests are not watching the other half eat their dinner. In addition, they know how to customize a menu to fit their client’s taste and budget; they also understand that their presentation is a big part of the allure.
Your photographer should be someone who is easy to be around and makes the session as effortless as possible – their work is your keepsake. You don’t have to spend an-arm-and-a-leg to find a great photographer, however, you need to find someone who can comfortably and professionally deliver the key moments you want captured. My biggest challenges have been photographers who miss important photo opportunities and details.
Individuality –
A private property has so many options for creativity. Your planner can help you create a design, which suits your own personality, budget, style, and panache.
How to Rent a Residential Property:
Let us know your guest count – we recommend that you start with your higher number.
What type of event are you having – wedding, birthday, product launch, anniversary party.
Start and end time for your event – when will guests arrive and depart?
How will your guests be arriving – shuttle, valet or Uber and Lyft? Our homeowners will ask us.
Type of music – live music or DJ
Setup needs – will you be having a tent – usually we have access the day before for lighting, generator and bathroom setup – the more information the better we can communicate with the homeowners
Rental budget – the property rentals start at $12,000 and go up – it depends on guest count, access and the rental rate that each owner wants to charge.
We compete with the filming industry rates and this keeps the rental rates competitive.
Once we find the right properties that fit your event, we will recap everything in a scouting agreement. The scouting agreement includes the estimated rental rate, associated fees, the guest count, event hours, type of event and access times and days and if there is a scouting fee to show the properties. If our clients rent an estate, we will credit the viewing fee off of the rental fee.
Gianna and Company has access to hundreds of private estates in the greater Los Angeles area. Here is a link to our website for more information.
Here is a link to our Instagram page –
https://www.instagram.com/giannaandcompany/
