Planning a Luau can be a little intimidating when you don't know where to begin. We have broken down simple term on how to plan a successful Luau. You will need the following: Hawaiian Food, Luau Props or Hawaiian Decorations, Luau Entertainment, Party Rentals, Hawaiian Leis, and Bartender.
Since we own an Event Planning Company "SoCalEvents and Premier Events International" we are offering free advice from many years of experience and we are not a company who makes false claims of such an experience and expertise. Since we are the industry leader we are more than wiling to help you plan a successfull Luau with our without our service for we believe that you the customer is always right.
Luau Entertainment: In our opinion is the most important for a Luau.
Pitfalls and Warnings: There are many new Polynesian Groups that are less than 5 years old and lack professionalism, lack business experience to maintaining integrity, charge shows at a dirt cheap price for a hunger of business, Lack a Sound System, Have no real General Liability Insurance, and some that are plain out not authentic. "Those are pretty harsh statements to say but they do exist and will try anything for your business"
You will need to understand the reality of Being the customer and not fall as a sucker to price for a "low price" that can also compromise your show and Luau. Otherwise, you are losing money for a "cheap show" Does that make sense? The last thing you would want your guests to say that your show was not good and people to say "You get what you paid for" . It doesn't hurt to pay little more for a lasting impression. Why compromise Cheesiness with Excellence if it only cost an extra $100.00 or so.
Non Authentic Groups: There are some that we know and we are not going to disclose any names for they deserve to have business too. Non Authentic Groups that post pictures that are older 5-10 years old and mislead customers with pictures of dancers that they do not use. If you are going to pay for a Luau Show, you should get what you pay for.
Talent Agents: Some will say they are good and some will say they are bad. I would say that normally the cheap Talent Agents are not that good. Use your common sense, if the agent charges you $425.00 for a show then that means that they will need to hire a group for about $300.00. The only groups that work for that low are Non Authentic Groups or Polynesian Groups that just recently started and lack a lot of experience. So I would lean towards a medium Talent Agent for they can insure the quality of the show. Sometimes hiring an agent is better than dealing with stress by yourself. Let them stress as you enjoy your Luau.
Polynesian Groups that Free Lance thier fire shows and Live Tahitian Drumming. Why pay for a cheap show and worry that the free lancer is late for your Luau? Make sense? Better to hire a group that contracts thier own performers and not hire Free Lancers at all. We have seen too many disasters from other groups complaining about free lancing performers.
Seperate the Amateurs with the Professionals. Ask to see thier Videos and compare them to other groups. Let the videos tell the story.
Hawaiian Catering
Hawaiian Catering is not the same with any restaurant. Many caterers have capitalized on Hawaiian Food without any experience or true knowledge of what Polynesian Food and Hawaiian Food really is. Avoid "Websites" that do not offer taste testing for they most likely buy food from somewhere else and are not able to allow customers to taste and book in confidence. Some caterers will offer a taste testing and some will not. If you believe that they are the one for you. It does not hurt to write a contract with your caterer. Send a deposit and then taste the food. If you do not like the food then they should credit your money back with an exception of what you tasted. That is the best solution.
Luau Props
There are not many that can decorate your event. Some can call Oriental Trading and spend money there or they can do some research on the internet to find vendors to decorate an event. Polynesian Colors are Green, Red, and Gold. You can visit Oceanic Arts but they do not deliver and decorate. Or you can visit www.luauprops.com for they deliver, setup, and tear down.
Hawaiian Leis
You can search the internet for Orchid Leis. We can sell them for a low price of $6.50 per lei with a minimum of 100 leis.
Party Rentals
You will need to rent Tables, Chairs, and Linens. Avoid china unless you don't mind paying for extra labor and money for China.
