To develop your knowledge of typical costs, you need to do your research. Research venues and vendors in your client’s preferred area to come up with accurate cost projections. You may be able to find pricing information right on the websites of vendors and venues. If not, you can arrange meetings or phone calls with vendors and venue representatives in your area. You’ll want to do some professional networking with these vendors to introduce yourself and your business anyway, so you can also use this time to inquire about their average costs and pricing packages. Not all vendors will be open to networking with you but many may be happy to help you out, especially if it increases the chances that you’ll refer business to them. You can also research overall industry pricing averages for various event components. However, keep in mind that pricing can vary significantly by region and area. Always supplement industry cost averages with information specific to your region. Remember as well to speak with a range of vendors and to understand their target clients. If you only talk to luxury vendors who cater to high-profile clients, for instance, your budget estimates will be greatly inflated for clients with more modest budgets.