Every Friday I feature reader comments from earlier in the week. Today I’m featuring several comments from readers who responded to my Monday post, “Vendors, What You Wear Matters.”
Some people agreed with the way my colleague and I handled the unfortunate situation at our client’s wedding. Others would have addressed the issue differently. I really appreciated getting everyone’s perspective, and there were quite a few excellent comments. Here are a few of them:
Rick Canale of Exotic Flowers said:
“You and your colleague’s hearts were in the right place. Unfortunately, we have witnessed a drastic culture change where decorum has been cast aside. I do admire the videographer for telling your colleague where to go. I do not think it was your colleague’s place to offer any further disruption to the event. Perhaps a well-written note next time would be better received.”
Jeffery Crawford of Mode Function Event Design shared this view:
“I think the type of service a vendor provides should determine what the staff wears. Being in decor, health and safety is a major directive of our company, and we require our staff to wear steel-toe shoes, which probably look worse then Uggs. This is a policy we will not deviate from as our installers’ safety is top priority on site … Where we differ from someone like a videographer is that our team does not intermingled with guests. We typically work behind closed doors and when guests enter a room our staff quietly exits the back door. While I think that front-line vendors should be well dressed, “backstage” vendors need to look neat and clean but wear clothing suitable to the task — in our case that includes unsightly safety gear.”
Claudia Morgan of King West Flowers agreed with Rick above and had this to say:
“I have been a floral designer for over 10 years and, like most of you, I have seen it all. I agree that using the F word (or any foul language) at an event is completely out of place. I do, however, believe that confronting the videographer about her attire during the wedding was a bit extreme. No one likes to be criticized. Especially in public. People’s defenses go up, and you get the response you did. Perhaps next time try a different approach: Wait until after the wedding and then send a note letting her know that her services were appreciated but you noticed her attire didn’t match the level of professionalism she is reputed to be. You could also send her a book on dressing professionally — Kate Spade and June Ambrose both have fabulous books out! That way, you’ll have expressed your concerns and avoided any further confrontation. We have to remember the key is to be constructive about it!”
And this last one just made me laugh — right on, Stephanie!
Stephanie Wales of Creative NH Wedding Photography said:
“2 words: Johnny Cash. I wear black at every wedding. Nice, styled, upscale black.”
Dear Readers, thank you again for sharing all of your opinions this week. What do you think — should my colleague and I have backed off and sent a handwritten note instead?
Happy Friday, folks. Have a great weekend!!
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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.
Chris
March 23, 2012
Omg!!!! Siento mucho que hayas tenido que vivir esa experiencia, pero en todo caso despues de una boda tan espectacular, no tienes la culpa de el antiprofesionalismo de las otras compañias. Nunca he visto gente que vaya a matrimonio o bautizos o cualquier evento formal o semi formal vistiendo de manera inapropiada, eso lo debe de saber cualquier compañia que sea responsable y seria. No objeto para nada el hecho de que le hayan llamado la atencion y obviamente no se equivocaron al juzgarlo puesto que su reaccion fue mas alla de lo antiprofesional!!! En tu lugar preston, tendri en mis lista de companias para referir con las que ya haya trabajado y cuyo personal ya conosca y si van a enviar alguien nuevo que sea avisado de las politicas y protocolos de vestuario!!! Una vez mas, no fue tu culpa
Jolie
March 24, 2012
The word FAIL is all that comes to mind. As mentioned PB did not book this vendor. When booking vendors it is only common sense to ask about uniforms or what will be worn and make any expectations clearly stated and preferably in writing. Did they book the cake w/o a tasting? A caterer w/o a tasting? A photographer w/o seeing photos? Obviously, whoever booked this vendor didn’t care enough to ask a simple question. I would have said nothing at all.
Robin
March 24, 2012
“What do you think — should my colleague and I have backed off and sent a handwritten note instead?”
I think you handled it a lot better than I would have! I can’t believe anyone would be that oblivious. Like she thinks because she’s not an actual guest at the wedding she doesn’t have to dress properly. If I was that bride I would’ve been extremely angry.
Meredith
March 24, 2012
I am 110% with you on being very nervous about working with a vendor whom I’ve never worked with previously – especially one hired by the client. Regardless of the fact that the client booked that vendor – your name and reputation are on the event and that vendor’s behavior and service reflect back on you. I think your heart and instincts were in the right place. You planned that event to exceed your client’s expectations and give her the wedding of her dreams – and it sounds like that one vendor was a glaring blemish on an otherwise gorgeous event. Guests do notice when something stands out in an unflattering fashion such as this videographer’s wardrobe and it takes attention off of where the focus should be – on the bride and groom. Assuming this jean and Ugg wearing videographer was someone who was there as a representative of the videography company (which often they are), I would have made the attempt to call the owner to request another videographer in appropriate wardrobe be sent to relieve the offensive videographer for the remainder of the event (assuming they were to continue covering the reception and remainder of the evening). Otherwise, I honestly would have reacted similarly – and asked if they at least had a change of appropriate clothes with them. The lack of respect that videographer showed for your client (especially since you said they are a vendor whom the client hired because they are loyal to that vendor!) is just plain sad.