It’s Wedding Tip Wednesday at NYIAD! Every Wednesday afternoon, tune in to the design blog to hear a new piece of planning advice from mentors who have worked in the industry for nearly a decade, coordinating events with a wide spectrum of budgets and client needs.
For today’s tip, consider this:
If you’re trying to develop a reputation in your area as a reliable wedding planner, one of the most important facets you’ll need to cultivate is your relationship with local vendors.
For those new to the industry and unsure where to begin, try allowing one merchant to lead you to the next. If you’re browsing popular local venues, for example, get conversational with the staff. They’re likely the most familiar with the space and can recall successful (and unsuccessful) events that have been hosted there in the past.
Checking out the great hall in a nearby country club? Talk to whoever is showing you around and ask them which events held in the space were the most memorable. Listen to what they say, and why they say so.
If they mention a fabulous bar mitzvah- ask them to name the band that kept the dance floor crowded all night. Many planners make the mistake of forgetting that a discussion with one person can lead to more than just the booking of that single deal- it could provide you with great industry knowledge from unbiased insiders who know better. If you begin these conversations with an open mind, you’d be surprised at the many directions from which you’ll find beneficial advice.
Want to learn more? Check out The New York Institute of Art and Design's online wedding planning school. Request your free course catalog today!
