This year I had two totally different experiences at weddings with fellow wedding professionals…

 

I am always a firm believer that image is perception… the professional image you portray is how potential clients and other professionals will perceive you.

 

I was working with a client several months ago and as guests arrived at the cocktail reception a woman walked up and said:

 

Hi Mark, not sure if you remember me. We met when I started my business. I should have known they had a wedding planner by the details, and how smoothly everything is running.

 

Seems her husband had worked with the groom and they were invited guests…actually the couple never knew this associates wife did event planning…

 

Of course it really keeps you on your toes knowing another colleague is there…makes you wonder that they see and think.

 

Recently I did a wedding – day of, some planning with the couple, mostly pulling off the details they put in place and keeping the big extended family on time with photos and corralling a very young, fun-loving bridal party.

 

The day was amazing, everyone had fun, the details went perfectly, and the food and service were great…

 

Just before we were to open the ballroom for dinner- we’re still lighting candles, water is being poured, still checking all the details…. two woman sneak in the side door…I ask if I can help them and “ we want to take pictures’ is the only answer….

 

No! –  part of the WOW of weddings, for couple, parents and guests is to see the ballroom complete… totally set, looking as the couple envisioned…. not in partial ‘dress’.

 

So I asked them to give us a few minutes and they could come back when we finished.

 

They left and returned through another door- I’m a friend of the bride, a wedding planner and I’m taking pictures for my portfolio- was what we were greeted with this time…

 

Guess that’s what makes one a professional…