Frustration

Ok, so I usually don't blog about personal feelings or things that happen, mostly because I haven't had time. But I guess the past few days I have had time to think and reflect on some things and I really feel like I need to talk about it-- maybe its self therapy, maybe its the rain, I don't know, but I'm putting it out there... who knows, it might happen more often!

I have recently been faced with several instances where I have had brides (that did not hire me) tell ME how disappointed they were with their wedding vendors they hired for their big day. Other wedding planners, caterers, venues, florists, etc.

The wedding industry is in Birmingham is its own world. Everybody knows each other and everybody knows things about each other that they may or may not know. As a wedding planner, we get to work with A LOT of different vendors- some by our choice, because we know and trust them, and sometimes we are faced meeting new people because the bride has already chosen them as her vendor and we have to work with them. In any case, our number one goal should be to make the bride happy. That is our JOB, that is why she is paying US. We should all check ourselves every once in a while and make sure we are fulfilling OUR end of the contract--doing what we have PROMISED and what they are paying us to do! I know that there are several months where we are all stretched to the gills with weddings every weekend and having to do the normal every day in the midst of that. But that is just part of the job, that is what we signed up for.

It just hurts my heart to hear brides talk about their wedding day and how it was a disaster or how all these things went wrong because someone didn't do the job they were paid to do. It's these precious girls ONE DAY to feel special and beautiful and not have to worry about a thing. We all know that weddings can be a production- but if the bride hired a planner, then it is that planners job to make sure it is exactly the way she wants it and to fulfill their end of the contract.

Now, I am not saying that I have never made a mistake, I am new at this, BUT it is my ultimate goal to make the bride happy, and at the end of the day, that is the most important thing. I have become very good friends with some of my past brides because of the relationship we form during the planning process. I feel that helps a lot. To really get to know the bride and know what makes her happy and what doesn't, that way when things come at you, pre-wedding or wedding day, you know how to handle it in the correct fashion.

It frustrates me that however much I try to do this for my brides, I can't do it for everyone and some brides end up with a less than satisfactory wedding day experience due to the lack of responsibility on the vendors part. I am challenging all you vendors, and myself, to check up on yourself every now and then and make sure you are really focusing on the bride and going above and beyond for her. She knows she isn't your only bride, but she needs to feel like it.