What Every Entrepreneur Could Learn from a Bride

What every entrepreneur could learn from a bride as a client could possibly change your perspective on how to serve any client.

I wish that every entrepreneur no matter what field of work they are in, could experience the camaraderie that we find in the wedding industry.  I honestly thought it would be dog-eat-dog when I started my business! It has been just the opposite! 

Ninety-nine percent of the time I see wedding vendors eager to help each other.  Everyone wants to find the perfect match for their client's personality, style and budget.  Wedding professionals work extremely hard working very long hours all week, and are often away from their families for weekend upon weekend.  Most people don’t know how many hours go into each aspect of helping a client with their wedding.

Here are some things that wedding professionals have to consider and I’m wondering if other entrepreneurs would see a difference in how they serve clients if they had to examine their services in the same light.

Customer's Memory of Their Experience.

Wedding professionals are creating a day that their clients will remember for the rest of their lives..for better or for worse!  

Don't Make Assumptions on What Your Client "Should" Know.

Generally a wedding is something that clients have never planned before nor have they experienced anything that will change their lives so drastically. Many times they have no idea where to start and can’t visualize or begin to express what they want.  You have to help them find their own words.  

You Only Have One Shot!

There are no re-do’s.  That wedding day is the wedding day.  

What Has  Possibly Influenced a Client's Perception about What You Do?

Wedding professionals deal with the whole family, on both sides.  We learn the dynamics of both families and often see what has helped shape our clients into who they are.  It gives us an understanding or a feeling of compassion for our clients and their behavior.

Emotions  Expressed Are Not Always Linked to What a Client is Really Wanting to Express.

Brides, grooms, the wedding party, family, friends all can experience a wide variety of emotions.  It can even be very much like grieving.  Fear of the unknown such as a mother wondering about whether she is “losing” her daughter/son or even a best friend fearing that their friendship will never be the same or might end at some point.  Seldom do the emotions get expressed in the right manner, to the right extent or at the right time.  They are just what they are!  We have to prepare our clients for what might happen.

You Can't Please Everyone All the Time!  Expect Monday Morning Quarterbacks.

There’s a time period that is kind of a let down after so much has been focused on the wedding.  This is when wedding professionals are more likely to be “Yelped” whether it is fair or not.  You could say, “The honeymoon is over!”

Customer Loyalty/Referrals.  How Sweet It Is!

Happily ever after for wedding professionals is when we get to help yet one more client create this once-in-a-lifetime event.  Each wedding is different and it feels like we are gaining another friend.  You really do get emotionally involved and always wonder how they are doing.

Greatest of Days feels that planning a wedding shouldn’t feel like a part time job to a bride who is probably already working hard. A bride and groom might have college bills to pay off, have little vacation time accrued, and certainly don’t have time to research for the best prices, hidden costs, or find the venue or vendor that will be the best match for their personality, style and budget.  Time is money!  Especially if a bride or groom have a business to run and a wedding to plan! That gives overwhelm a new meaning!

After being asked if I planned events for a living, it made sense to try doing what I love to do which is to plan and design events. I'm all about inexpensive creativity to make something look better, add meaning or humor to relax a client.