PartySavvy Featured Vendor: Encore Event Design

Encore Event Design is Pittsburgh’s premier event design company. They take great pride in their designs and go through every detail with a fine comb, no matter how small it may be. Delivering outstanding customer service is their top priority, and they do not rest until you are completely satisfied.

We sat down with Stacey Barlow-Hill of Encore Event Design to find out what sets them apart from other Pittsburgh area event decorators.

Tell us a little bit about your company and what you do.

Encore Event Design is an event decoration company that will help bring your dream to event reality!  We are designers and work with event planners, banquet facilities, and individual clients to transform spaces and make your event one to remember.

Encore can service your next event by providing linen and chair cover rentals, ceremony decor, fabric backdrops, ceiling draping, lighting/monograms, centerpiece rentals, and balloon decor.  We also rent our design studio (located in the West End) for private events and our signature decor is included.

How many events do you typically plan per year and what type of events do you do most often?

Encore has been averaging about 100 events a year, but that number is significantly increasing for 2016 and the years ahead.

While weddings are the events that require the most design time, we also service many birthday parties, showers, graduations, and just about anything else you can celebrate.

What do you think is the most important thing people should look for when hiring an event planning company?

When hiring any planning or decorating company, we suggest selecting the business that will help you best take the stress out of the planning process.  You want to be able to enjoy your day and not be concerned with whether it will run smoothly or not.   Find a company that you connect with, that understands your vision, and that will provide you with the best quality and service for your budget.

How long before the event would you recommend someone to hire an event planner?

It’s never too early to begin planning your event!  The longer you have to research companies and vendors, the more educated you will be.  Starting early will also allow you to enjoy the days leading up to your special day.

Encore, like most event professionals, have events booked up to a year or more in advance, so don’t take a chance on losing your date by waiting.

What are some of your favorite ways to enhance an event on a budget?

We always try to help our clients get the most out of their budget.  We try to suggest things/services that might be more cost effective but still provide great impact.  For example, you might desire elaborate fresh flower arrangements on all of your guest tables.  If that’s in your budget, great!  If not then we might suggest that you do only half or a few of your tables in that design and do the rest with fresh flowers immersed in water surrounded with petals and votive candles instead.  It will look just as beautiful and be a fraction of the cost.

What is the difference between Event Planning and Event Decorating?

We get this question all of the time.  Event Decorating provides you with the physical items/services that you need to help transform your space.  We have a huge inventory and usually have what you need on hand or we have a relationship with other suppliers who do.

Event Planners vary in their levels of service, but the main difference is that they can coordinate all aspects of your event.  Their services can range all the way from helping with invitations, to booking the entertainment, to food selections… and anything in between.

At Encore Event Design, we focus mainly on design and love to work with planners as well as our individual clients. We strive to provide stress free experiences for everyone.

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