Question

Topic: Taglines/Names

Wedding & Event Planning Business Name

Posted by Anonymous on 7/23/2007 at 2:14 PM ET 250 Points
Hi,

I've been in the event planning business for several years now and have decided to open my own company. I'm stuck on a name and wanted some opinions.

I haven't been able to decide between going with my own name or coming up with a name for the company.

My name is Tiffany Melton so with my first name being what it is not sure I should go down that road or should I since when people think of Tiffany's wedding and ring images automatically follow. Or maybe I could encorporate my middle name - Lorraine. I just don't know.

I want a professional name nothing cliche. So names with the words soiree, affair, fete, etc. aren't really what I'm going for.

Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 7/23/2007 at 2:39 PM Author
    Peg,

    Target market is urban, mid-range, first weddings. My likely clients will be professionals in their late 20s to mid 30s. I'm on the east coast so my market will be MD/VA/DC with hopes to expand to NYC and MA later.

    I plan more than weddings but I feel like as soon as someone reads "XXX...Weddings and Special Events" all they see is weddings and not corporate events which I do also. I was thinking maybe I need to be careful with my marketing are create divisions within the company.

    I plan on have additional people working in the company.

    Thanks for your help!
  • Posted on 7/23/2007 at 2:45 PM Author
    Weddings are a part of my portfolio but I don't want to be pigeon-holed into just weddings. Type of events I plan currently:

    Corporate Meetings and Conferences
    Awards Dinners
    Fundraisers
    Product Launches
    Sales Rallies
    Weddings
    Social Events for occassions like retirements, graduations, roasts, anniversaries, etc.

    My portfolio is quite varied so it's hard to convey all this in a name. I just keep going in circles it seems.
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 7/23/2007 at 6:18 PM Accepted
    expanding on Vic's suggestion, maybe create a parent or umbrella brand such as:

    Tiffany Melton & Associates

    Tiffany Melton Productions

    ... and then create sub-brands, such as:

    Weddings by Tiffany
    Special Events by Tiffany

    best of luck,

    Steve
  • Posted on 7/23/2007 at 7:51 PM Accepted
    I'll toss my hat into the ring here.

    I work with a lot of wedding planners (marketing to brides) and I wish more would promote THEMSELVES even though they have staff (some, even outsource to others).

    If I see one more "Wonderful Memories & Events" I'm going to %$#$%.

    Build your brand - and that's YOU.

    Tiffany Melton Events

    The .com is available (https://www.godaddy.com).

    Is Melton your maiden name?

    I might be more inclined to lean toward your maiden name, if you're married.

    As long as it doesn't stir up any trouble at the dinner table.

    I'll watch for you on Oprah!

    :)

    Chris Jaeger
    Book More Weddings
    [URL deleted by staff]




  • Posted on 7/24/2007 at 8:29 AM Accepted
    Melton Moments (I've always been a big advocate of alliteration).
  • Posted on 7/24/2007 at 9:44 AM Author
    I like the T. Melton & Associates or Tiffany Melton & Associaties although the latter sounds really long but the former omits my first name which I really like. Arghhh!

    Not sure about the production part...I tend to think of a/v when I hear the word productions. And I don't want people to think that my events are just productions...sounds a little too cold for me. I want people to walk away from an event I've done thinking "wow that was a great experience".

    Do you think I need a catch phrase or tagline or would "Professional Wedding & Event Planners" be just fine?

    Melton is my maiden name...easier that way since that never changes lol.
  • Posted by G Renner on 7/24/2007 at 12:10 PM Accepted
    Let me challenge you to think about this

    You mentioned not wanting to be confused with Tiffany’s jewelry...that might not be a bad thing...when people think of Tiffany’s they think beauty, elegance, and special

    Using your first name is going to plant that subconscious image into women’s minds right off the bat...you may even get some people who call you thinking you are Tiffany’s and end up with some clients from that

    I think the a business name with your name in it would be a good thing...so maybe

    Tiffany Melton...Making your day special


    Gary
  • Posted on 7/24/2007 at 3:03 PM Accepted
    East Coast Events by Tiffany

    Events, Tiffany stye

    Tiffany, events to remember

    Touched by Tiffany, events to remember.

    Tiffany's Touch, events to remember
  • Posted by dilipnandkeolyar on 7/25/2007 at 10:03 AM Accepted
    Dear Tiffany,

    If I were to think of a Event Management Company I would think of the following names:

    1. Eventualities N Revelaries
    2. Momentous
    3 Memorambulations
    4. ActiveStuff

    Cheers
  • Posted on 7/25/2007 at 3:21 PM Accepted
    I'm in the events industry...and formerly from the branding / naming industry - congratulations on your venture.
    Some of the most successful event planning companies use personality names:
    David Tutera
    Preston Bailey
    David Stark
    Colin Cowie
    Sasha Souza
    ...and the list goes on.
    There are many different types of names; however, there are 3 common groups:
    Descriptive of the benefits (i.e. Easy Off)
    Descriptive of the personality (i.e. Uncle Ben's)
    Evocative (i.e. Apple)
    Each of these 3 options have their own pros & cons. For example descriptive names are easy to understand, but tough to trademark. They require minimal investment because they speak for themselves. Whereas evocative names require maximum investment, but are very easy to trademark.

    I have to say that having been exposed to the events industry for about a year & a half now, the industry is saturated with companies called: extraordinary events, best events, great events, stellar events, luxury events. And each of these companies blend into one murky shade of grey to me. A name should mean something. It is one of the facets of your brand that will stimulate associations for your existing and prospective customers.

    IF you are a personality - i.e. someone who walks into a room and gets attention, someone who people seek out for guidance and expertise, someone who's name precedes them...or you can/will be a personality, then I recommend using your name as part of your brand.
    If not, I'd recommend that you identify what makes you unique, better than your competition and relevant to you consumers and build a name around those values.

    I wish you the best of luck!
  • Posted on 7/26/2007 at 4:20 AM Accepted
    Stay away from using your name as your name in the business name. That's the #1 rule if you ever plan to sell, franchise or grow your business. While there are exceptions to the rule, that's the #1 advise M & A folks tell me.

    I would create a "consolidated company name" and then have a wedding and corporate divisions. However, for the first two years, I'd concentrate marketing on the area where you can reach the most amount of people in the least amount of time and be paid the most amount of money. Build credibility with the masses, and they'll ask you if you do other events.

    Since you want to grow your business outside your local area, I would pick at least 5 names you want and get it trademarked.

    I'd use the word Event in the name. My suggestion for a name is

    Summit Events
    Peak Events
    A Quality Event
    ProEvents
    Polished Events
    Expert events
    Professional Events

    and l like some that were suggested: Lasting Events, Everlasting events.









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