Kickback Question

I'd like to open the floor for a question that came up from a photographer friend of mine. We recently mentioned the issue of ethical compensation, but Jemma raises a great point:

What about non-financial kickback, i.e. an assumption or understanding of future referrals on the part of whoever you have referred people to? Should one recommend a vendor based on the knowledge that this may then get them more referrals in return? Sometimes you know up front, like when your reception venue only works with certain caterers. If it is happening behind the scenes, would that be ethical?

What do you think? I'll tell you next week how I feel.

Photo Credit

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Karry Castillo

Karry Castillo | Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist, Inc.

Name: Karry Castillo

Location: Central Florida and Florida’s East Coast

Company: Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist

Years in Business: 4 years

Website: http://www.uywedding.com/

Blog: http://uywedding.com/blog/

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…):
As a full service firm, we pride ourselves on offering fresh, inspired planning and design services for the modern bride. Every wedding brings a unique opportunity to bring a client’s wedding vision to life. Because of the diversity among brides in terms of the services they desire and require, we design custom packages for every client. The services that comprise a planning dossier are based upon the client’s specified needs. We offer a complimentary, initial consultation during which time we get to know our clients and have an opportunity to discuss the services they desire as well as the ones we recommend to make their planning experience seamless and successful. The consultation serves to inform the options that will be included in their package. The planning process is highly collaborative, as we partner with our clients to take their vision from inspirational concept to flawless presentation and execution, all the while providing creative advice and expert assistance throughout the planning experience. We offer full service planning and design, partial planning, wedding day management, consultation and referrals, guest attendance and menu tracking, and everything in between. Our experience spans from opulent, extensive celebrity affairs to the most intimate and simple of seaside destination weddings. We serve the entire state of Florida and are available for travel.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Wow, there are so many wonderful sources of inspiration that serve our design and planning processes. One of our favorites is the Pantone Color Report. The seasonal reports keep us on top of the coming color trends each season especially as they apply to fashion which is closely linked to the trends we see in the wedding market. Another source of inspiration comes directly from our clients. Their personalities, interests, history (both cultural and familial), and lifestyles offer so much in the way of inspiring design, menu options, entertainment, venue choices and more. We feel that it is important for each wedding to tell a story about the couple from their lives growing up within their families to their shared life together. The more information we can gather about our clients, the more we can assist in creating a wedding that is highly unique and memorable to them, one that truly reflects their story. Finally, we look to the blog world. From interior design and stationery, to custom designed gowns and wedding accoutrements, to those that feature incredible weddings and inspiration boards from around the globe, there are so many amazing blogs that can inform and breathe life into any element of wedding design.

Why did you get started wedding planning?
My initial experiences in the wedding industry involved musical performance. I was performing as a flutist in weddings on weekends while I taught elementary school during the week. From that position, I was able to experience the design and planning side as an intrigued observer. As a classroom teacher and school administrator, planning both short and long range goals and objectives were second nature. My last position in the schools required extensive communication within the community for fundraising and neighborhood activities. It also required the organization and planning of all major events both academic and social, including the opening of the school. When the opportunity came for me to take maternity leave and resign from full time academia, I decided to explore the wedding market further - specifically focusing on wedding planning. I spent several months researching the industry, visiting with wedding professionals, and attending seminars before I decided to take an accredited course for wedding planners. As a planner I could utilize and meld my creative talents and planning skills to the benefit of clients who rely on my assistance and expertise to make their lives easier and their wedding day memorable; and as a business owner I could organize my environment to allow more job flexibility and time to focus on raising my young children.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
I could not live without my linen swatch books and rental product catalogs. They are an essential part of each wedding, and I refer to them daily as we explore design and décor options and make budget related decisions.

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?
I would recommend you invest much time and attention to researching and understanding every facet of the industry from how to successfully operate a new business to partnering with the spectrum of wedding professionals with whom you will be involved. Invest in a wedding planning course, and get a solid educational background in planning and entrepreneurial skills before you start working with clients. Planning a wedding is not the glorified shopping spree that many new planners, mostly those that have just planned their own weddings, think it is. It is hard work, and you are taking someone’s most important day into your hands. There are no do-overs. Be prepared to develop the skill of negotiation, a sweet disposition and team building approach for working with other wedding professionals and client families, an ability to handle rejection, and a can-do attitude to deal with the pressures of things that may potentially go wrong. Be prepared to sweat on wedding day and for goodness sake, out of respect for the hard work of those that have come before you, do not copy the efforts, brand, or trademark products/services of other planners – find your own creative niche within the market. Yes, that was more than one recommendation! I love my job and wouldn’t trade my experiences as planner for anything. It has been an amazing career thus far. I have the best clients in the world, and look I forward to partnering with future couples to make their weddings all they have imagined and more!

Would you like to be featured on Be a Planner? Please see our "Be Featured" link on the right-hand column for further instructions. Submissions will be accepted at our discretion.

Vitamin B!tch

When working with various wedding professionals you need to be nice. End of story. Period.

This goes without saying. But more times than not, I hear from catering managers or photographers that tell me that after working with Joe Schmo Planner, they are appalled at their attitude and how rude they were!

Really!?!?! Is it necesary to take your Vitamin B!tch pills?

Make since, play nice, share your toys! You are going to have to work with these people again and again, and the quickest way to not get a referral is to be mean. To be not nice. To keep your composure.

Remember, more than anything, if you are stressed out, do not run off and cry, do not scream and yell at anyone, do not take it out or talk in a patronizing voice to any staff members - be professional, that is our job!

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Andria Lewis

Andria Lewis | Andria Lewis Events

Name: Andria Lewis
Location: Based in Memphis, Tennessee serving Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas
Company: Andria Lewis Events and Studio IV (design services)
Years in Business: I've been a planner for 13 years. I've had my company for four and a half years.
Website: www.andrialewisevents.com
Blog: www.theplannerpages.com

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…): 

We specialize in the experience for brides. Therefore, we offer planning and design services and we offer linen rentals. We also work with a fabulous stationery designer out of New Jersey for custom paper pieces for all of our brides.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration? 

My first favorite is the mind of my bride. We take what she wants and marry that with the practical and tradition to create the best wedding environments. As for tangible inspiration (on color mostly) I get that from nature and people watching (interesting patterns in clothing). I found the most beautiful redish-yellow flower recently that I snapped a photo of with my Blackberry. I'm saving it for just the right design for a bride.

Why did you get started wedding planning? 

I realized 13 years ago when a relative asked me to help plan their wedding that doing that encompassed all the talents that I wanted to use. Logistics planning (I am a Logistical Queen), planning, design, working with varying people on a daily basis, project management. And, to be truthful, because I like to run things. A little bit of control-freak is needed for a wedding planner. Seriously.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded? 

My new event assistant Brittany!

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be? 

My biggest piece of advice is make sure you can handle that this is not a glamorous career. A lot of times I hear that newlywed brides enjoyed planning their wedding so much, they've decided this is what they want to do. Sometimes, those brides had a wedding planner themselves, which means they didn't get the full experience of ALL we do. Someone else was doing all the grunge work for them. And for those who did do the planning themselves, they only planned that one wedding. Ask yourself, can you plan 6-7 weddings at the same time and be efficient and all you need to be for your client? This career requires a lot of multi-tasking and a lot of personality differences. You NEED to be able to handle that without blinking. Then there is the business aspect of what you do. P&L statements, inventory, employees, payroll, vendors, networking. It's all a part of it. I encourage new planners to consider it all. But, I wouldn't trade what I do for the world! It's the best job ever!

Would you like to be featured on Be a Planner? Please see our "Be Featured" link on the right-hand column for further instructions. Submissions will be accepted at our discretion.

Give Credit where Credit is Due!

One of my biggest pet-peeves is seeing an amazing inspiration board and then no credit to the where those amazing images came from.

Or when someone posts something on their blog and uses a video or an image that isn't theirs and not crediting the image.

This is copyright infringement! Those pictures belong to whomever bought them or took them, and you need to credit that photographer or the site you stole that image from. Most photographers would love to have you post their images to your site or blog, but if no one knows who took that picture, then it isn’t fair to them.

So please, be kind. Link back to who took that picture. It’s only fair, and it’s only legal!

We Have a Winner: Signed Southern Weddings

Because we know the suspense is killing you, our random winner for the signed copy of Southern Weddings is...

And comment #6 was Cynthia, who said....

Congratulations Cynthia! Please e-mail us at beaplanner {at} masterpieceweddings {dot} net for more information on claiming your prize. 

And a huge thank you to everyone who participated!

I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Terrica

Terrica | Fabuluxe

Name:  Terrica  (you know, like Cher...Madonna... ;) )

Location:  Golden Isles, Georgia (a combination of three Georgia islands: St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island,  Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island)

Company:  Fabuluxe

Years in Business:  5.5 years

Website: www.fabuluxeinc.com

Blog:  www.fabuluxeblog.com

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…): 

We specialize in producing fabulous events at any level of service.  We provide custom service collections that are reflective of the clients' needs.  Since we are in a destination wedding market, we cater  to long  distance clientele who are looking for contemporary, stylish and expert  advice, so this could be a variation of  month of coordination (I truly believe there is no such thing  as "day of coordination"), full service planning or consulting.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?   

Fashion magazines (W, Vogue, Bazaar),  Lowes (I know that sounds insane, but true), and  different eras and periods (music, fashion, etc.).

Why did you get started wedding planning?  

I eloped and wanted to plan a more fabulous wedding later.  Each time we would get started, something would come up.  I began to get to know the local vendors who encouraged me to look into it as a career.  And here we are.

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?  

Pictures. I have pictures of my husband, kids and clients all around my desk.  They keep me motivated.  It really helps on those days when you feel like you can't take another "no", set back or  "I-just-can't- do-it-today-because-my-hair-is-a-mess" day, to know that other people depend on and love you for who you are and your talent.  When you realize it's not all about you, it is so much easier for you to get around whatever it is getting you down. 

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?  

Sit at the feet of the leaders so that it is possible to stand on their shoulders as you become successful.  New planners can avoid so much heartbreak, rejection, lost time and squandered money if they take the time to listen to those planners who are eager to help the new generation coming through.  It is always my school of thought that  we  (as planners) should all help each other, because it benefits us as a whole as an industry.  If I help Jane in Chicago, and she provides exemplary service to her client, Jane's friends and family will say "Wow, her planner was on her A game.  I think we will get one for our wedding".  And who knows, that friend or family member may come to my area to get married.  So while we are reflective of each other when we do something positive, the same can be said if something negative  occurs, so it is our job to make sure that our singular occupational reputations  are  positive.  Learn all you can, read as much as you can (a good wedding planner will not have her head in bridal magazines who discuss trends on their way out) or watching TV shows for inspiration).  They are studying fashion and culinary arts, reading business books  on sales, marketing and service,  and creating trends for other people to copy. Talk to those in the trenches, and soak up any knowledge made available to you-- and remember to give back when it is your time to help a new planner.  And secondly, just be fabulous.  From your head to your feet:  your image, your brand, your voice... all of you.  Anything worth doing is worth doing right-- so go fabulous or GO HOME.

Would you like to be featured on Be a Planner? Please see our "Be Featured" link on the right-hand column for further instructions. Submissions will be accepted at our discretion.

Ethical Compensation

As a Planner this question comes up often from clients, if I pay you a set Package or Collection price, do you make money elsewhere?

Or if you are charging by the hour, do you track time to read an email, talk on the phone, do you count driving time, what if you get stuck in traffic? Do you charge me for that time too?

Do you take a kick-back or a commission from other wedding professionals I've hired or that you recommend?

Do you up-charge any of the proposals you send me?

Well, these are tough questions and over the next week or so we are going to talk through them, and I'd like your opinions as well. So, please post your comments...

First up, let's talk ethics, is it ethical to not tell a prospective client or a client that you are receiving a kick-back? Is it ethical to even take a kick-back? Lots of planners do (we don't and never ever ever will) but does the client have a right to know that you are receiving compensation elsewhere?

What do you think?

Giveaway: Signed Southern Weddings EXTENDED

After careful consideration, we have decided to extend the deadline for the giveaway of the signed copy of Southern Weddings premiere edition. 

You have nothing to lose and copy of the gorgeous mag signed by Editor-in-Chief Lara Casey herself to win! So what are you waiting for? More details here.

The new deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 11:59 EST. 

Next Be A Planner Class! :: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are so excited to announce our next class, October 3 & 4 in Ocala, Florida at the Gorgeous Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club!

This is an intense two-day class, where you will learn the ins and outs on how to:

• The Significance of your role as a planner
• How to create a wedding day timeline
• Budget Supervision
• Social Etiquette
• Wedding Attire
• Conducting and Orchestrating a Rehearsal
• Emergency Production
• Starting a Business
• Working with Vendors
• The Art of Branding your business
• Wedding Trends and Traditions
• Establishing your Business
• Developing your Style
• Establishing your Fees and Services
• Contracts
• Artful Negociations
• And Much, Much, Much, Much more!!!

This class we are including Breakfast and Lunch both days. We are limiting attendance to 20 students, we want to be able to provide one on one attention.

We will also announce 2 amazing guest speakers that you will enjoy and really learn the meat and potato's of your business from.

If you have been in business for 8 years, just thinking of getting into the event planning industry, or are thinking of a change of careers, I give you my personal guarantee you will learn something incredible in this class!

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I'M A PLANNER ON BE A PLANNER: Aletha VanderMaas

On Be a Planner, we have decided to implement a new feature entitled "I'm a Planner" where we will feature some of the most fabulous wedding planners from around the country. Every week, we will ask planners questions about their business and how they got started and have them share some of the best tips that they have learned along the way.

So without further ado, we would like to begin with one of our very favorite people in the wedding industry, the lovely Aletha VanderMaas.

Aletha VanderMaas |  Pearls Events

Name: Aletha VanderMaas
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Company: Pearls Events
Years in Business: Two
Website: http://www.pearlsevents.com/
Blog: http://www.pearlseventsblog.com/

What do you specialize in (Day of Coordination, Full Service Design…):
Event planning, with partial planning being our most popular.

What are your three favorite sources of wedding inspiration?
Bride & Bloom magazine, photography blogs, and Martha Stewart.

Why did you get started wedding planning?

After years of working in the food industry, retail and publishing, I was ready to ditch the gray cubicle and work with brides. I've always had an interest in consulting clients, and with my love of the bridal industry, it all just came together with Pearls Events. After years of dreaming of being a wedding planner, it because a reality on October 6, 2007 when I coordinated our first wedding. I haven't looked back since!

What is one thing in your office that you could not live without, technology excluded?
My Yorkie, Olive. She sits with me in there every single day and makes me smile. She's a great little addition to my day.

If you could make one recommendation to a new planner, what would it be?

Just do it! All those crazy ideas swimming around in your head can turn into your dream job. Don't settle for second best - if you're going to start a business, do it and make a name for yourself by doing it better than anyone else. And - good luck :)

Would you like to be featured on Be a Planner? Please see our "Be Featured" link on the right-hand column for further instructions. Submissions will be accepted at our discretion.

Selling Yourself

Written by Amanda B. Young, Associate for MasterPiece Weddings:

Often one of the most dreaded, but most necessary, parts of wedding planning: selling yourself. After all, what is the business of wedding planning if not selling yourself? You are not providing your clients with a product or something tangible that they can see (decor), taste (cake), smell (flowers), or hear (music). So then, one might wonder, what exactly are you providing them with?

The fact is there is no one conclusive right answer for that. Yes, you are providing a service. But really, I would say you are providing them with confidence. Confidence that they have someone who knows what they are doing. Confidence that should anything go wrong they have someone there to fix it. Confidence that you will help keep them within or near their budget. And confidence that, at the very least, you will be there for them.  

The fact is, however, that many - if not all - wedding planners own a variety of books on event management and weddings. But, how many do you think own books on sales? 

Well, if you do not have one (or a few) you should seriously reconsider. Sales is quite possibly the pillar of the business. And, if you have been wondering why you aren't booking clients, this would be an excellent place to start.

Our first recommendation? Check out Saundra Hadley. (Remember? We talked about how much we love her before.) Read her blog. Memorize her blog. Follow her tips. Other than that these are some of our favorite sales reads:

•  Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
•  The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
•  Advanced Selling Strategies

Know of any others? We'd love to hear them.