I’ve written a great deal about being a planner and hiring vendors; this is something I’ve done countless times. However, I am also a designer, and I have also had the experience of being hired by a planner to design a job. The vast majority of both planners and vendors I have worked with have been fantastic. But, unfortunately, sometimes a nasty one creeps in, too. It happens. Recently, a florist wrote to me about being hired by a planner who doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing. This florist calls the client a dream but says she doesn’t realize that the planner she has hired is awful. The florist wanted to know if she should say anything to her client about the planner.
I completely understand where this florist is coming from. Believe me, I’ve been there! But remember the English proverb: don’t bite the hand that feeds you. If I were this florist I wouldn’t do or say anything. This is especially true if the client is happy. If the client likes the planner she has hired, then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
It’s great to get work from planners. What’s not so great is that sometimes planners aren’t very knowledgeable or experienced. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for this florist. She should try to develop a professional friendship with this planner. There are gentle ways to teach a young planner or other vendor how to do things better. If I were this florist, I would want to be the good guy and help the planner learn. That way I benefit, the planner benefits and the client benefits by getting the best service.
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Ebony Peoples Events & Design
June 1, 2011
Great advice Preston! I totally agree. If the florist develops a professional friendship with the planner, the planner may then be open to suggestions and constructive criticism.
Angela
June 1, 2011
Can’t agree more….
Asian Fusion Weddings by Wedding by Wendy
June 1, 2011
Well said Preston.
Bea
June 1, 2011
Preston,
Everytime I read your posts, and read some of the unconfortable situations that may happen. At the end, when you give your advice or your reaction, you amaze me all the time!
It’s amazing to find such a people person, like yourself, in this type of market… You are a great natural teacher, a giver… And that makes you a great leader! May God bless you and fill you & all those around you with the ability to do the difference, and for the rest of us, to imitate your actions… Because one thing is being a great artist, and another thing is being an example for others… And you are both things, which is truly a great gift!
Thank you for sharing and leading!
Lauren
June 1, 2011
Preston, I’ve been following your blog for quite sometime and have never posted. But as a new planner myself… After reading this I had to say thank you for being you and looking at the positive. I definitely don’t try to act like I know it all and I’m one that is constantly trying to learn more and get advice from the successful vendors in the field. I would want someone to treat me with the same respect as what you’re advising this florist to treat this other planner. I think it’s great that you’re always sharing your knowledge and inspirations so we can all benefit!
Connie Mak
June 2, 2011
Hi Preston,
Kudos to you!! I need not say more, you have such magnanimous spirit!
Kimberly Sevilla
June 2, 2011
I agree, professionally, it is your job to help other professionals. I certainly get help when I am in over my head. Bottom line, you are there to help your client run things smoothly. If it is not costing you money, then don’t worry about it.
I often run into planners who confuse floral designers with event designers…..two different things, but if the client is around I grin and put on an event designer hat for an hour or so and politely explain the difference, offline, to the planner. Never, never through someone else, that the client chose, under a bus because they are inexperienced.
Storyboard Life
June 2, 2011
My job as a photographer is to photograph the best that I can and exceed the expectations of the client. As long as the “other vendor” isn’t doing anything unethical or harmful to the client then there is no reason to bring anything up.
Jackie
June 2, 2011
I am a fairly new planner and thankfully, to my knowledge, I have had no probelms and lots of wonderful reviews. I am not compeltely “green”, but I feel I have a good grasp on what each vendor is supposed to contribute to the event and my job is to make sure that we all work together to make the event run smoothly. Keeping the client happy is the priority. If a situation were to ever come up when a vendor sees that I am inexperienced or unkowledgeable about something, I truly would appreciate that person bringing it to my attention (in private) and helping me. I think it could also establish a great relationship with that vendor and it would help prevent any disasters for that event or in the future. Thanks Preston, I’m always greatful for your advise!
Anonymous
June 2, 2011
Although I have a few weddings under my belt, I am still considered a relatively “new” wedding planner. During my time in this wonderful industry, I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing vendors and I feel that I can always learn something from them as each wedding is so unique and has so many layers. Recently, I recommended a vendor to one of my clients and when I made the decision to recommend this vendor, I had checked out their work, asked for recommendations and already felt a great deal of respect for them. When we finally met in person to discuss the details, I was very disappointed to find that this person was treating me like I had no idea how much hard work was involved in the process of coming up with a design “it’s not as simple as throwing fabrics on the tables”…yes, I am aware of that, thank you. I have a lot of respect and admiration for designers and I know that there is a lot of work involved in the process. Yes, I am relatively new to the industry, but that only means that I work extra hard to ensure that everything I need to handle is handled professionally and timely, and dear experienced vendor, I expect the same from you. I will be the first to admit that there are things I may not know, but I am always open to suggestions from those that have been in the industry longer, although rest assured I don’t expect you to hold my hand through the process. I have learned that with years of experience comes the assumption that someone is professional, but unfortunately this is not always the case, although intertwined, “professional” and “experienced” are not the same thing. And yes, I realize that there are many new planners that are not professional, but I take offence to the fact that a lot of the time, all new planners are placed under the “inexperienced and unprofessional” category.
Dear experienced vendors, as a “newer” planner, I respectfully ask that you please keep in mind that you too were new to the industry at one point. I have a love for the wedding industry and just because I have not been here as long as you have, it does not mean that I don’t have respect, passion and a deep desire to make my clients happy. Keep in mind that I could have recommended any other vendor to my client, but I chose to recommend you because I respect and admire your work and think you are a great fit for my client. Also keep in mind that I am a wedding planner and I never claimed to be a “designer, florist, DJ, etc.”, I came to you for your expertise and to work on the direction together. My job is to connect my clients with the best quality of vendors to suit their needs and budget and to put together a great team that will bring their dream wedding to life.
OFD Consulting
June 3, 2011
Very true- on all points. The best wedding pros are the ones that can empathize with the newbies. We were all there once. And who knows- maybe that new to the scene planner will be the hot shot in town one day- and they’ll remember how kind you were to them when they were starting out.
Heidi Reeder
June 6, 2011
Agreed Mr. Bailey- I am one of said ‘inexperienced’ planners. However, thanks to LWPI I’ve had quite a bit of training as opposed to the freelance planner that just picks it up because it looks like fun. (While it is fun, it is also definetly a TON of work. You really have to love the craft.)
Bottomless
August 2, 2011
Easier on turns!
Bottomless