Event Assessment
Most clients come to us with a clear idea of the type of wedding, party or event experience they want to create.
What they’re often less sure about is whether their current plans are likely to create that experience.
Our Event Assessment reviews the important decisions shaping your event and helps you understand what is working well, what may need adjusting and which changes are most likely to improve the atmosphere, guest enjoyment and overall result.
What Is An Event Assessment?
The reality is that no single decision determines how an event turns out. It comes down to dozens of smaller decisions, like styling, venue layout, entertainment, timing, food service, lighting, guest interaction and much more. On their own, each decision might seem reasonable.
The real question is whether they’re pointing in the same direction or quietly working against each other.
The hard part isn’t making these decisions it’s knowing which ones will shape the day, and which won’t.
That’s where an Event Assessment comes in.
An Event Assessment is a professional review of the plans and decisions you already have in place. We consider how the different parts of your wedding, party or corporate event may affect one another, then provide written findings and practical recommendations.
Are Your Event Plans Working Together?
Having your venue and major suppliers booked can make your wedding or event feel well planned. But each supplier is usually focused on their own part. Even when every supplier is doing their job well, no one may have reviewed how all the decisions will work together.
Ask yourself:
- How confident are you that your current plans will create the type of event you want?
- Are your venue, timing, entertainment, food service, styling and guest areas supporting one another?
- Are you spending money in the areas that will make the greatest difference?
- Has anyone reviewed your plans as one complete event, rather than as separate bookings and decisions?
These are the types of questions an Event & Wedding Assessment is designed to answer.
How Event Decisions Affect One Another
A DJ or live band is a simple example. You could book experienced entertainment and still end up with fewer people dancing than you expected.
The dance floor can be affected by:
- Venue lighting that is too bright, including filming lights that wash out the dance floor lighting. You have no suitable mood or party lighting organized.
- A dance floor that is poorly positioned or too large for the number of guests.
- A photo booth or another attraction pulling guests to a different part of the venue.
- A heavy meal may leave guests feeling flat and unmotivated to dance, or long formalities pushing dancing later into the night when guests are tired.
- A space that is too hot or too cold for comfortable dancing.
- An event format that does not create a natural build up towards the dancing.
- The host or couple not spending time on the dance floor to encourage others to join them.
- The wrong dress code and foot wear so guests dont feel comfortable to dance.
Booking the entertainment is only one decision. Whether guests dance also depends on the layout, lighting, timing, food service, room conditions, competing activities and what the hosts are doing.
This is what an Event Assessment looks for. It looks at how the different parts of your event may influence one another, rather than considering each booking or decision in isolation.
Is an Event Assessment Right For You
An Event Assessment is most useful once you have made several important decisions, but while there is still enough time to reconsider or adjust them.
This May Be Right for You If:
- You are investing a significant amount of time and money and want greater confidence in the result.
- You have booked your venue and made several major decisions but want a professional second opinion before everything is finalised.
- You want to identify possible problems or wasted spending before the event.
- You are open to practical recommendations about what may deserve more or less attention.
An Event Assessment May Not Be Necessary If:
- You are still very early in the planning process and have not made enough decisions for us to assess.
- You feel confident that your venue, suppliers and other plans will work well together.
- You are comfortable accepting some uncertainty and seeing how everything turns out on the day.
- Your plans are completely finalised and you are not in a position to make any changes.
- You are mainly looking for reassurance that your existing decisions are correct, rather than an objective review of what may or may not work.
What We Assess
Every wedding, party and corporate event is different. We begin with the outcome you want and focus on the decisions likely to have the greatest influence, rather than treating every area as equally important.
Your Desired Outcome and Priorities
- The atmosphere and overall result you want to create
- What matters most to you and your guests
- Whether your current decisions support those priorities
Venue Layout and Room Use
- Venue size, layout and use of the available spaces
- Seating, entertainment and dance floor positioning
- Where guests are likely to gather and how easily they can access important areas
Timing and Event Format
- The running order and overall format
- Timing of food service, entertainment, speeches and formalities
- Long gaps, delays or decisions that may affect guest involvement
Entertainment, Food and Atmosphere
- Whether the entertainment suits the event and guests
- Entertainment placement and timing
- Food and beverage service Opportunities for guests to interact and participate
Guest Comfort and Practical Risks
- Heating, cooling, noise levels and seating
- Access to the bar, toilets, smoking areas and outdoor spaces
- Potential bottlenecks, distractions and other foreseeable problems
Styling, Lighting and Budget Priorities
- How the current styling direction may affect the overall atmosphere
- Whether lighting supports the intended result
- Whether the budget is being directed towards the areas likely to make the greatest difference
The Event Assessment considers styling as one part of the complete event. It does not include creating a styling concept, selecting products or preparing a decorating quotation.
Common Problems We Help Identify
For many clients, success comes down to one simple thing, did people genuinely enjoy themselves?
Even with a great venue, good suppliers and a healthy budget, weddings, parties and events can still miss the mark badly when important decisions aren’t working together properly.
These are just a few of the most common issues we help identify during the assessment process.
Who Completes Your Assessment?
Every Event Assessment is personally completed by Marcus Prentice, founder and Event Strategist at Feel Good Events.
Marcus has more than 30 years of practical experience across weddings, private parties and corporate events. His judgement is also informed by the knowledge Feel Good Events has gained from working on more than 9,000 events throughout Melbourne.
Marcus reviews your questionnaire, documents and venue information, then prepares your written report using the Feel Good Formula. The findings and recommendations are based on the plans and information you provide.
The Event Assessment Process
Once you are ready to proceed, we guide you through a structured process designed to review your current plans, identify possible risks and show you which decisions deserve the most attention.
The assessment follows our Feel Good Formula, a structured method for reviewing the important decisions across any type of event, party or wedding.
ASSESSMENT ENQUIRY
What's Involved:
Complete the short enquiry form and let us know what type of event you are planning and when it is taking place. We will answer any initial questions and confirm whether the Event Assessment is suitable for you.
BOOK YOUR ASSESSMENT
What's Involved:
Once you are ready to proceed, we will send you an assessment invoice for $770 including GST. Your assessment is booked and will start once payment has been received.
COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE
What's Involved:
You complete a detailed questionnaire covering the outcome you want, your current plans, priorities and the important decisions you have already made.
PROVIDE YOUR DOCUMENTS
What's Involved:
Send us any information that helps us understand your event, including floor plans, running sheets, venue information, photographs, video and relevant supplier details.
You do not need to create new documents for the assessment. Simply provide what you currently have available.
WE ASSESS YOUR EVENT
What's Involved:
Using your questionnaire answers, documents, floor plans, photographs and videos, we review your event as a whole. We look for conflicts between decisions, practical risks and areas where adjustments could improve the atmosphere or guest enjoyment.
The most important findings are then prioritised for your written report. An in-person site visit is not included as standard.
RECEIVE YOUR REPORT
What's Involved:
You receive a written report within 7 days of sending back the assessment questionnaire. The report explains what is working well, what deserves attention and which changes we recommend considering before the event.
The report prioritises the findings so you can understand what matters most and decide which recommendations you want to act on.
What an Event Assessment Helps You Achieve
Event Assessment Examples
Every wedding, party and event presents different opportunities and challenges.
These examples show how the assessment process helps identify hidden issues, improve decision making and strengthen the event overall.
Wedding Reception
Wedding Reception For 140 Guests
The Goal
A couple wanted their wedding to begin with an elegant and relaxed atmosphere before building into a fun, high energy party later in the night.
The Main Risk
The oversized dance floor, long gaps between key moments, long grouped speeches, entertainment decisions and venue layout were all likely to weaken momentum and make it harder for the party atmosphere to build properly.
What We Would Prioritise
Review the dance floor size and position in the venue. Reduce unnecessary gaps in wedding timeline and reconsider how the formalities are grouped. Create a clearer change in lighting, music and room use when it is time for the party to begin.
Private Party
40th Birthday Party For 120 Guests
The Goal
A client was planning a glamorous disco themed 40th birthday. The venue was a marquee at their home in winter. They wanted the party to feel exciting, stylish and full of energy.
The Main Risk
The marquee size was too small for the number of guests, furniture, decor and entertainment. Heating, parking and bathroom access all created problems. Entertainment choice was weak for the type of party atmosphere they wanted.
What We Would Prioritise
Adjusting the marquee sizing allowing enough room for everything planned. Look at layout so it kept guests together and the dance floor was the focus. Address the issues of toilets, heating and car parking by mapping out guest comfort and experience for the whole event. Choosing different entertainment to help create a high energy party.
Corporate Event
Corporate Event for 500 Guests
The Goal
A corporate client was planning a large gala ball in a Melbourne CBD ballroom and wanted the event to feel sophisticated, social and engaging for 500 guests.
The Main Risk
The venue layout was naturally splitting guests across multiple levels and activation areas. Entertainment timing, guest movement and styling priorities were also creating risks that could weaken the overall atmosphere and disconnect the room.
What We Would Prioritise
Adjust the layout so guests were less separated and more connected. Adjust entertainment timing so that the energy of the night slowly built rather than up and down. Improve the styling direction so it was focused on key areas and made more impact.
Looked at where other activities were positioned and their timing so that it didnt pull guests away from the dance floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Event Assessment the Same as Event or Wedding Planning?
No. Planning involves developing and managing the event, coordinating suppliers and handling logistics. An Event Assessment reviews the plans and decisions you already have in place. You receive written findings and recommendations, but we do not manage your bookings or coordinate the event on the day.
Can You Help Me Plan My Event From the Beginning?
Yes. If you have not started planning or want professional help before making the major decisions, our Event Planning or Wedding Planning service may be more suitable.
We can help you consider the venue, format, timing, entertainment, guest comfort, budget priorities and other important decisions as the event develops.
Planning is a separate service and is quoted according to the support required. Depending on the planning service you choose, a separate Event Assessment may not be necessary.
When Should I Book an Event Assessment?
The best time is after you have booked your venue and made several major decisions, but while there is still enough time to make changes.
It is completely normal to have already booked suppliers. The assessment reviews what has been planned and identifies anything that may deserve further attention.
Is It Too Late If I Have Already Booked and Paid My Suppliers?
Not necessarily. An Event Assessment does not automatically mean replacing suppliers or starting your plans again. In many cases, improvements can still be made by adjusting the timing, venue layout, supplier placement, lighting, formalities or the way different parts of the event are coordinated.
Some changes may be restricted by supplier agreements, availability or how close the event is, and additional costs may apply. The assessment helps you understand what can still be changed, which adjustments are likely to make the greatest difference and what may be better left as planned.
Can I Use This If I Already Have a Planner or Coordinator?
Yes. Planners and coordinators vary in their areas of expertise and the support they provide. Many focus primarily on logistics, supplier bookings, timelines and coordination on the day. These are important responsibilities, but their service may not include a detailed assessment of how venue layout, timing, entertainment, food service, lighting and guest areas may affect one another.
The Event Assessment provides a separate professional review focused on potential friction points, guest enjoyment and whether your combined plans are likely to create the result you want. It does not replace your planner or coordinator, and you can share the report with them so any recommended changes can be considered together.
Does the Assessment Include Styling Design?
No. We consider how your existing styling and lighting decisions may affect the event, but we do not create a styling concept, mood board, product list or decorating quotation.
Styling Design is available as a separate service if you need help developing the visual direction.
Is an In-Person Venue Visit Included?
No. The standard assessment reviews the venue using the floor plans, photographs, video and venue information you provide. If an in-person site visit is required, this can be arranged for an additional $150.
Will You Contact My Venue or Suppliers?
No. The assessment is based on the information and documents you provide. Your report may identify questions or details that you should confirm directly with your venue or suppliers.
What Difference Can an Event Assessment Make?
When you are investing thousands of dollars into a wedding or event, the assessment gives you a professional second opinion before your plans are tested on the day. It may identify avoidable problems and help direct your budget towards the area’s most likely to affect the result. Some recommendations may require no additional spending, while others may involve reallocating your budget or considering further investment. The final decision always remains yours.
Can Feel Good Events Help Me Make the Recommended Changes?
Yes. If your report identifies changes and you would like help implementing them, we can discuss the relevant planning, styling, entertainment or hire services with you. Any additional work is optional, subject to availability and quoted separately before you proceed. You can also make the changes yourself or work with your existing venue, planner and suppliers.
Does the Assessment Guarantee How My Event Will Turn Out?
No. Guest behaviour, weather, supplier performance and unexpected events on the day cannot be guaranteed.
The assessment helps you make better-informed decisions by identifying foreseeable risks and areas that may affect the result.
How Long Will the Report Take?
The delivery timeframe begins once we have received your completed questionnaire and all the information required to assess your event. In most cases, your written report will be supplied within seven days. We will confirm the expected delivery date when you book.
Can I Ask Questions About My Report?
Yes. If anything in your report is unclear, you can contact us for clarification. If required, we can arrange a short call to discuss the findings. This is intended to clarify the recommendations already contained in your report. Additional planning, research or assessment work may be quoted separately.
Ready to Get Started?
If you would like greater confidence in the decisions shaping your wedding, party or corporate event, complete the short form below.
The Event Assessment costs $770 including GST and includes a review of your completed questionnaire and supplied documents, a venue review using plans, photographs or video, and a written Event Assessment report. Your report is usually provided within seven days of receiving all the information we need.
Once we receive your enquiry, we will contact you to answer any initial questions, confirm whether the service is suitable for your event and explain the next steps.
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