Dear Industry Professionals :: A few words from a Wedding Planner

1st in a two part series

Dear Industry Professionals :: A few words from a Wedding Planner
Written by, Cicely Rocha.Miller – Owner and Senior Consultant of Life Design Event Planning

First off, let me preface this posting by saying these are my feelings and I don’t represent all wedding and event planners. I hope that we are, of course, all united on the topics below but don’t want anyone to assume that I am the voice for all of us. This is just merely, little ol’ Life Design Event Planning chatting with you.

When Curtis called me to discuss his commitment to WEN and his idea about incorporating discussion through this blog, I knew I had to jump on board. Then, I was lucky enough to be invited by Mr. Curtis to write a post. He invited me to be candid, to be vulnerable and to be brutally honest. So, here I go…

I have been in business for only about four years now, certainly not long like many of the more veteran planners and vendors out there but during my time, specifically with weddings, I have learned so much and have thought that if I could get on a soapbox and scream to the industry my feelings on a few topics, I would. Now I have that chance. Here are a few hot topics I want to share with you all. I encourage feedback and more discussion at any time and if you would like to speak with me in person, I would even buy our first round.

#1 :: Vendor says, “Hey Wedding Planner, I don’t know you but will you refer me?”

Yes, we are the resource for clients to obtain referrals; we are the trusted ones that have all the “right” vendors in a “secret stash”. I like to believe I have great relationships with many vendors in the valley and even nationwide, but it is impossible, yes impossible, for me to refer everyone I come in contact with. I have hundreds, if not thousands of business cards from vendors that meet me, saying “I would love to get on your list” but never follow up, never prove themselves (and I mean it, I need to see how you can make my clients wedding better than the next vendor) or merely fight for the opportunity. Listen, I am not asking you to kiss up to me, buy me presents or give me money because I refer you. All I want, truly all I want, is my clients to walk away at the end of their day knowing that they worked with some amazing vendors and their day was completely flawless. So that being said, handing me your business card at a networker and then becoming discouraged that I didn’t call you is not necessarily someone I am interested in referring. To be frank, I don’t have a preferred vendors list, I have something even better; relationships. The vendors that I work with the most are kind, thoughtful, positive, problem solvers, a little flexible, creative, obtainable, trustworthy, respectful, understanding, charitable, amazingly gifted and professional. They have invested, not monetarily but emotionally, in me and my clients and they believe in the energy and experiences I want to articulate for them. We have lunches, we talk often and they stay connected. Simply stated, I like them as business professionals and as people and I trust their work and believe in them equally. I do try to work with many vendors multiple times because our relationship works, we fit, we rock it and the clients love us for it. So, when we meet, don’t just show me your card, connect with me, don’t ask anything of me but engage me and make me desire to work with you. When ever I have the opportunity and it’s a good fit, you are who I will think of when it’s referral time.

#2 :: Planner says, “If we are good at our job, then refer us too.”

Yes, referring is a big topic of discussion because that’s how many of us survive. I have to tell you that I get at least 70% of my business from outside relationships and past clients so “it’s all about who you know” is very apparent. But what never ceases to amaze me is the amount of people that want from us but never give themselves. Let me explain. Wedding planners are constantly being asked to refer, refer, refer. That’s what we do, so I get it, but out of all the weddings I have done I can say that only a handful of vendors, outside of other wedding planners, do the same for me. Wedding planners are becoming more involved and are finally being added to the bottom line budget. Couples are working harder, spending more and are acknowledging the value in hiring a good and professional wedding planner, but we still need your help. Many times, when couples become engaged the first thing they do is go to a venue, hence most venues have preferred lists, which is great and very useful. So the couple moves on the next decision, which is typically the photographer then it’s the DJ or band, Officiant, florist or bridal shop, etc. There are dozens of opportunities for referring but it’s so interesting how many vendors only choose to A. have a wall of business cards as “their only or main resource” and B. never engage in conversation about the importance of having a wedding planner execute the details of their day. So it’s a lot of work to do that, right? Well sure, and I don’t expect you to be a commercial for me or any other wedding planner for that matter. What I am saying is if the opportunity arises to bring up the topic, please do it. Good wedding planners will make the day so much more enjoyable for the clients. Good wedding planners will make sure that everything is in order and the clients won’t need or have to worry about anything. Good wedding planners will make your life easier, trust in your work and never second guess you like many clients would. Good wedding planners will make you look even better than you already do. Trust me, I hear it so many stories of wedding vendors having to sacrifice the quality of their work because they have to put on the problem solver hat and try to become a planner on the day for the client. Brides don’t know how to plan a wedding; they aren’t professionals at it so why wouldn’t every wedding have a project manager to plan the scope of work for them? Let me ask you this, would you build a house without a general contractor? So please, help me and all the wedding planners that work so hard to explain to people that having a good wedding planner is crucial for a flawless day because, it is.

Thanks for listening and caring about what I had to write.

With all that Life has to offer,  Cicely

www.lifedesignevents.com