Wedding Planner Tip – The Art of Showing Up

Having good manners and ethics in today’s world is becoming increasingly harder to find.  Unfortunately, this has affected the wedding industry, including Wedding Planners.  Couples don’t know who to trust.   Bad business ethics (dishonesty) and improper manners (rudeness) have left couples fearful of trusting business owners without getting great references from family, friends, or colleagues.  As Professionals, we have to change this perception… or misperception.  How can we combat this negative influence threatening to affect our business?  It begins by taking a good look at ourselves.  Have we mastered good business manners and effective communications?  Are we practicing “the art of showing up”?  Yes, that’s where cultivating good manners begins.  Showing up on time for the very first consultation sets the tone.

Being passionate about what you do evokes sincerity and plays a big part in cultivating good manners.  Are we passionate about our industry, business and customer?  We need to convey it from the beginning of our customer relationship.  Mastering “the art of showing up” will show your customer you are passionate about:

• Extending common courtesy and good manners – When you are late meeting a customer, you lose credibility.  By showing up on time, you show that you value their time.
• Being committed – As a business, if your customer feels you did not meet your commitment, your business loses integrity. Commitment aids in building a strong relationship and business foundation.
• Letting your yes mean yes – You do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it. This is the most effective way to gain trust and credibility.  Integrity in business gets the referral.
• Having good customer service – By making them feel welcome, you leave a good first impression.  On the other hand, if you do not extend good customer service, they may feel like an inconvenience to you, become slighted and choose to go elsewhere.
• When you are there, being there – Giving your full, undivided attention makes them feel special and allows them to fully express themselves.  Answering phone calls, checking texts, etc… is a big turn off and questions whether you will really be there for the wedding planning process.
• Handling your responsibilities – By “cultivating the art of showing up”, the couple will be able to trust that you will handle the planning of their wedding day in a responsible manner.  Be passionate about helping them.

There is a connection between good business manners and being successful in your wedding planning business. So we encourage you to become passionate about your business and cultivate good manners by practicing “the art of showing up”.

Are you thinking about becoming a Professional Wedding Planner?  Find out more about becoming certified on ACPWC’s website.