Recently, I was talking with my new twin, Monica. We could have talked for hours, actually we did. We could have talked for days, seriously, days!
She is amazing! If you don't read her blog, you should, and if you do, you are doing a good thing! Her wit and hilarity is, most of the time, exactly what I want to say, but just don't. But I am getting away from my point.
She mentioned a situation that happened recently at a wedding, and I just thought it was unfathomable. And the way she handled it was with grace and elegance. With a sense of professionalism that we would all be proud of!
And, recently, I received a phone call – my band canceled our event is this weekend, can you help me! The panic in this person’s voice was heart-wrenching, I just wanted to reach through the phone and hug them and make it better.
I made some phone calls and found a band in 20 minutes. I just felt like it was my job to make their wedding all better. But in this instance it wasn’t – they weren’t my client. Just some random Jane Doe that called, because she needed help. Should I have done it… well that’s the question…
What would you do? What would you as a bride expect me to do? What would you as a consultant do?
10 comments:
I would have done the same thing!
Without question!
I think that you did the right thing. We all have to remember why we are in this business in the first place, because we love to help brides have the perfect wedding. Getting paid is just an extra bonus for most of us! Think about how many people that this girl will tell how much you helped her. Just like Earl says, "Do good things and good thing will happen to you."
As a bride, I probably would have made the same call. Depending on how long and how much effort you had to put into it, either a fruit basket or a donation or a question of appropriate compensation would have followed. No one should think of getting something for free, but if it didn't take much effort on the planners part, she shouldn't be hit with a huge fee.
Ahh the wonderful world of weddings and that adds a twist to the norm of business.
Would I, as a bride, have expected you to do it? No. Were you obligated to do it? No. But the fact that you did shows your great character. Good for you for helping!! The word will get out about what you did... because we always tend to talk about the things that go wrong during our wedding, and you'll look better for it!
I would have done it, without a doubt in my mind, because I believe in karma. Plus, what may take me 20 minutes to research could take this poor bride hours because I know the market in a deeper depth then she does.
Your kindness and generosity will come back full circle!!
I think you did a great thing. Why not help someone who is clearly in need? You saved the day! (Super Melissa to the rescue, lol) And that person will be forever greatful. A lil kindness never hurt anyone!
Definitely would have done the same thing, how could you not? It's our job to help out freaked out brides isn't it :)
I agree you did the right thing - sometimes people just find themselves in situations and I think that bride will definitely remember you. My FI and I moonlight in wedding videography so we don't do many weddings a year so we have to turn away calls. We could simply say 'sorry' and leave them hanging but we have a good network and always refer them one or two other videographers who are similar to us in cost and style. To our network of colleagues it's good business and customer service, not competition.
First, I must say how incredibly sweet you are, Melissa. I owe you at least two emails, by the way.
Second, I think what you did is fabulous and I applaud it. It's what we do everyday at The White Box because it's the nature of how we've structured the business, but I think if more planners made themselves available to brides for just those kinds of emergencies, it would go a long way. Not only will that bride be forever grateful and tell all her friends about you, but you've also reinforced a relationship with that new band who knows what you did to help a bride who wasn't even your client.
Thanks for setting a great example. And thank you for the kudos.
You did the right thing! Karma is important, but even more importantly, you know in your heart that you helped save someone's special day. I would have done the same.
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