By Elisabeth Scott Daley, WED®, ABC™ – ”A Passion for Performance”
It may seem elementary, but the lessons your mother tried to teach you as a child should be in practice today. Simple things, like saying “please” and “thank you.”
In today’s fast-paced and selfish world, it is too easy to forget. But it’s also just as easy to do the right thing. If someone opens a door for you, give them a big smile. It’ll make their day too.
An Everyday Practice
Now, let’s put what should be an everyday practice in the wedding industry. Brides and Grooms aren’t the only ones working really hard to make their day special.
Every wedding professional they have hired has also been working hard to deliver their best product: The florist who has searched high and low to find the perfect Tiger Lilies. The chef who has found the most succulent cuts of meat. The photographer and videographer who will spend countless hours with their heads buried in the computer to give the guests of honor amazing photos and video, and of course, the wedding planner who has been the glue keeping everything together.
Here’s What You Can Do
When you’re at a wedding and you see something that deserves praise, step up, acknowledge that person and praise them. However, you have to mean it. People can spot false flattery a mile away, and that will have the opposite effect.
If you keep your eyes and ears open, you will easily notice the things that deserve praise. An extra-creative and personalized centerpiece or name card display. Really cool flatware. Diva Design Work. Incredible Lights! Whatever. We see it all…and unless we are blind, we should notice if something is “special.” So speak up! If your words come from the heart, you will give a great gift to the receiver, because at the end of the day everyone needs to feel smart, talented and appreciated.
As wedding professionals, we are paid to work hard. It’s our job. But acknowledgment is still wonderful. However, what about all the volunteers that help the bride and groom have the wedding of their dreams? It’s not their job.
What about the aunt who put out all the linens and set all the tables and chairs? What about the groomsmen who wiped down all the chairs after that surprise thunderstorm? What about the Maid of Honor who was on top of everything?
Make it Private or Public
As the DJ and Master of Ceremonies, if it comes to your attention that a family member or friend has really stepped up to make the day great, acknowledge them privately and if you can find a moment to acknowledge them publicly, “Do it!” You are the spokesperson for the guests of honor and since they are in a whirlwind, they will be so grateful that you had their back and honored their loved ones. It’s a little thing, but it can make a huge difference.
Thank you for your time, and thank you for caring about your clients!
Author
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Liz Daley is a seasoned veteran of stage and screen and is the owner of Liz Daley Events, a boutique entertainment company in Virginia opened in 2004 that delivers dramatically different results. She got her first radio job at 16, but her passion for live entertainment moved her across the country performing from New York to Nashville as well as the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas! She works with brides and grooms to create Classic, Fun and Memorable wedding receptions. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Boston Conservatory of Music, she is a certified Wedding Entertainment Director® and the National President of the Wedding Entertainment Directors Guild® and an Accredited Wedding Planner™ with the Association of Bridal Consultants. She is currently co-hosting educational performance workshops for Wedding DJs and Masters of Ceremonies with Peter Merry, “The Fun Wedding Experts”.
