Stylish Planner – Question of the Week

question of the week: what’s next? June 07, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

I love hearing feedback from other planners when I pose a Question of the Week. I keep reading that Vintage is out, overdone, so last year…

but it is soooo lovely! So my question is….If vintage is out, what’s next?

Have a great Tuesday!

Michelle Loretta:

COLOR! COLOR! COLOR! For those brides that are ready to move away from vintage, they are going to move away from it with GUSTO! We are going to start seeing lots of bold color in weddings. (Think: Indian wedding ala Monsoon Wedding). It will be a while before we start to see this trend hit hard, but it will definitely be hitting us.

2011.Jun.10 12:58 pm
Rayna Ortwein:

I think vintage is here to stay for at least a few more years. Bride’s in my area are still in love with vintage! I do think we will see a trend toward more whimsy as well as glam. We shall see!

2011.Jun.07 12:47 pm

question of the week: helping fellow vendors May 10, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

Do you ever offer unsolicited help to vendors re: their pricing or service offerings? For instance, if their pricing is very low and they could charge more, do you tell them? If their services are too limited, do you tell them?

Thanks for sharing – Happy Tuesday!

No comments yet.

question of the day: affect of royal wedding? May 03, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

What affect do you think last week’s Royal Wedding will have on your wedding business? Increased bookings? Higher than average fees? More traditional style weddings? I have my thoughts, but I really want to hear yours.

Happy Tuesday!

Valerie:

I think we will see more understated and symbolism in details, simple and sweet. Everything about her bouquet was thought out. Sweet william in honor of William, myrtle from plant grown from Queen’s own bouquet. These details weren’t chosen because they were Kate’s favorite flower but the importance and symbolism. The trees in West Abbey will be planted in Prince Charles estate (I believe). I hope to see more of this symbolism for weddings!! It will keep weddings fresh without seeing trends too overused.

2011.May.03 4:48 pm

question of the week: the royal wedding April 26, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

What one aspect of the royal wedding are you most looking forward to seeing this week? The decor? The flowers? Kate’s dress? I’d love to know!

Royal Wedding Invitation

No comments yet.

question of the week: pricing for clients April 12, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

Do you include negotiating pricing and terms of the contract for your clients with other vendors in your services? Why or why not?

No comments yet.

question of the week: verbal agreements April 05, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

How do you handle verbal agreements to your clients from other vendors?

Here are a couple of hypothetical situations to get your wheels turning:

1) Votive candles are not in either the florist or the caterer’s contract, but caterer verbally agrees to provide them at no extra cost.

2) Venue verbally agrees to allow some vendors to arrive a half hour earlier than indicated in the contract to begin set-up.

3) The client realizes the week of the wedding that a boutonniere was not ordered for a grandfather. Florist verbally agrees to include it at no charge.

Do you follow up with an email, ask for an amendment to the contract, or just go along with the verbal agreement?

No comments yet.

question of the week: dancing at weddings March 29, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

Do you dance at weddings?

Photo by LaCour Photography

Amy Rubins:

I do not unless I’m practically dragged onto the dance floor by my client. I too believe it’s important to maintain a certain decorum and be ready to assist in case of an emergency.

2011.Mar.31 10:53 am
Brit @ Landlocked Bride:

You bet! I always try to gauge how the couple will react, and every time I don’t, either the bride or the groom pulls me on to the dance floor. While, I definitely do not make it a priority, I like to do it especially when guests are hesitant to get on the dance floor.

2011.Mar.30 12:15 am
Cynthia, TX:

Yes, dance at weddings I think the Bride and Groom thinks it fun to watch people having a good time with them.

2011.Mar.29 10:16 am
tami brown:

I don’t. However, there was a time when my bride pulled me on the dance floor and insisted I dance with her so I obliged. It was more important to please the client than to stick to the rules. But generally, I don’t have time to dance. There is always something that needs to be done, right?

2011.Mar.29 10:10 am
elisa | weditorial:

Only if I’m a guest.
I realize that some pros party with their clients, but I feel it’s important to maintain a degree of professional separation. (e.g. What if there’s a situation? – should they look for me on the dance floor doing the electric slide…?)

2011.Mar.29 9:27 am

question of the week: gifting for referrals? March 22, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

Do you gift past clients or vendors that send you referrals that become new clients? If so, what do you gift and what is the approximate value of the gift?

Kawania (Kay) Wooten, CMP:

Most definitely! I send a gift even if I don’t get the business. I want my referrals to know how much I appreciate their support and faith in me.

For wedding referrals, I typically send a $10 Starbucks gift card along with some of my freshly baked cookies.

For corporate event referrals, I send a gift basket.

I hope this helps.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

2011.Mar.25 8:03 pm
Charlene C Liang:

Yes, usually a $25 gift card to Starbucks, Target or the like…

2011.Mar.22 8:48 pm

question of the week – client meetings March 15, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

For those who do not have their own studio space – what is your preferred location (or type of location) to take client meetings?

question of the week: business collateral March 08, 2011 posted in Question of the Week

Today’s question of the week is being asked in order to help me prepare for my topic at the Eventology conference in Indianapolis next month. I will be speaking on business collateral and personal image.

So, I’d really love to know what items you include in your business collateral and approximately how much you spend each year.

Business collateral is whatever tangible marketing materials you use to promote your business. Some examples are: business cards, rate cards, brochures, flyers, photo books, etc.

Thank you so much for your feedback!

Janice Carnevale:

I might be on an island here, but other than my website, I just have business cards. I do have photo albums that I show at consults, but they aren’t branded. Oh, and I have flat notecards that I write thank yous on, and a return address sticker for those I am pretty basic. I change my prices with every quote, and most of my communication is done via email. I don’t do bridal shows, so I don’t have anything to give out. I’ve never done Holiday cards, although I think I would like to.

2011.Mar.16 10:21 am
Kawania (Kay) Wooten, CMP:

I hope this helps you.

My collateral includes the following –
* Business Cards (I have one for conference planning and one for wedding planning — They look the same, but they have different web sites and different services listed)
* Brochures
* Rate Sheets (to be inserted into the Promotional Brochures)
* Media Kit Folders
* Branded Holiday Cards
* Branded Clients Gifts
* Branded Give-Aways used at Sponsored Events (i.e., branded golf tees at golf tournaments)

Because we typically have enough of our materials to last us two years, I would say that we typically spend $800/year on our materials.

I hope this helps.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

2011.Mar.13 9:53 am