To be successful every business needs to know their customer’s needs and how they think and operate. When you know this you can better prepare yourself for that first meeting. Here are a few things brides will look for in a wedding planner and some tips how to fulfill their needs.
Credibility
You will have to remember that your first meeting is like a job interview where you are being interviewed and nothing will scare off a bride more than a wedding planner without any credibility. So it is important to show your prospect client that you are a credible business.
First impressions is important so your dress code should be smart or smart casual, you won’t go to a job interview wearing jeans and flops, would you?
Meet at your office and not at a coffee shop, even if you are working from home, rather meet them in a room at your house.
Not all countries and states require a business license to do business, but by having one will show your client you are serious about your wedding planning business and this is not just a hobby party that you are planning.
Join professional organizations like the Association of Bridal Consultants, ACPWC or Weddings Beautiful. Brides will check on these sometimes to check your credibility.
Preparedness
In your first meeting with your client you need to be prepared for anything the bride is going to ask and throw at you. It can also show off your organizational skills.
The bride will want to see what you have done before, so keep a portfolio ready with some of your best weddings. Your portfolio will be your “resume” and the bride will quickly judge to see if you will be a candidate for her wedding.
Have information available in brochures, lists and cards to give to the bride that she will want to see for example what wedding packages or services do you offer and how much it will cost, a list of referrals which she can contact, and of course have business cards with you as well.
Knowledgeable
A good wedding planner is knowledgeable about putting together every detail of a wedding from the invitations down to the pebbles that’s thrown on a couple when they walk out.
A bride will test you by telling you the color or theme she is interested in and will want to see what you come up with. Using your knowledge about the latest trends you should try to be creative and recommend what would work and not. The best is to listen to a couple’s requests and then decides or suggests based on their requests.
A bride could also want to see what you would be capable of doing with a limited budget, so be sure you are on top of how much everything wedding related cost.
Relationships
Being a good wedding planner is all about the relationships you build with other wedding planners and consultants as well as vendors and other brides. These relationships will indicate to a potential client that you are well known and trustworthy.
Don’t be surprise if a couple ask you for your vendor list, they just want to confirm that you have at least some contacts to some vendors to work with. You don’t need to give them a list to take home, but have one ready in case they ask.
Summary
It’s important to build and maintain your credibility, just be professional. Build good solid relationships with your local wedding community and vendors. Be always prepared with all the information and keep on top off all the wedding trends.
To make your wedding planning career even easier try our wedding planner software for free.
Related posts:
