WEDDING Consultant (WC) is relatively new in the Zambian wedding industry, and only recently that their contribution is being drowned slowly by parents of the brides and grooms, organisers and above all brides and grooms.
WCs have been in existence for a very long time although less attention was given to them worldwide.
The importance of a WC was realised on June 19, 1968 by James A. Asbury founder of Asbury Florist Corporation and Warren Hamilton a graduate student at the university who had a considerable amount of business experience.
After some discussions and observations of the process of floral arrangement, Hamilton and Asbury decided that production methods could be changed because many of the operations performed by the florist designer were purely routine and required little skill.
The one job of designer was divided into five jobs then as time passed by they realised that majority of flowers were used for wedding celebrations and receptions.
Being in the floral business, this was something that could increase their sales, the best person to do the work was a wedding consultant, as they clients are brides and grooms, and they hired one to develop that particular market.
A WC is best described as an independent contractor, a teacher, mentor, coach, advisor, facilitator and troubleshooter.
They are like a parent as they also take the bride and groom by the hand, offering them a handkerchief whenever they have sniffles and giving them hope and assurance that a beautiful and memorable wedding is attainable.
As the wedding planning process keeps on progressing, a lot of work and time is needed in order for every detail to be taken care of , planning a wedding while working and out of town coordination can be very hectic, it is in these circumstances that a consultant can be particularly useful especially where the time- factor is significant.
It might ultimately be worth it to employ consultants as they can be of help to you by giving you an answer and solution immediately.
The main advantage of a WC is their objectivity, many people that have attended many wedding as invited guests just on the actual day or have been in wedding committees as members are unwilling to make changes and tends preferable to continue with the status quo, however, inadequate particularly where they have believed for many years.
Their belief is that they have the experience by attending weddings, the way their wedding was that’s how all weddings should follow suit, they are the option leaders or should l say the negativists who do not believe in new ideas.
WC on the other hand may have gained a broad rather than long experience, this should not be confused with quality of experience and can bring with them knowledge gained from previous assignment.
WC has a role to play in helping to provide an objective assessment as to how the wedding should be planned. They must have knowledge of the problem at hand and must be someone the bride and groom can talk to freely. They can do many things varying from party planning with experience in coordinating all types of weddings whatever the time frame, not only can they save you time but may also be able to save your money because of their extensive contacts consultants can often get discounts from vendors and service providers.
They will work with your budget and make sure you get the most for your money negotiating contracts with service providers as well as coordinating and supervising details and in general keeping things organised and on schedule. Your WC will definitely advice you about etiquette and offer creative ideas and then cost cutting tips.
Brides and grooms when you hire a WC it is important that you recognize the need for objectivity, show willingness to listen, remember that the use of consultants however, is a delicate one and like courtship should be approached with caution and sensitivity.
Truly a WC is extremely valuable as they offer experience by providing information, skill, vision and creativity. They are also able to offer expert advice based on specialist knowledge gained elsewhere, they have flourished in most cases and have been able to demonstrate from practical results that their expertise is worth paying for.
As a WC you have a plan on how you will conduct your business in order to be reliable, effective and stress-free. A coach of professional sports always explains a loss to the media in this way “we didn’t follow our game plan” well why on earth would they not follow their game plan if that’s what they intended to do. It is easy to stray off course in the excitement and pressure of each unfolding, decisions are made on spur of the moment and sometimes in a split second.
They get so caught up in the action of what’s happening in front of them such that they forget the original game plan and react. The same is likely to happen in the consulting business, it becomes a fix up what’s in front of me right now affair, phone calls, unplanned visitations, changing priorities, and problems all have a way of side tracking you from your original game plan.
It’s always important that you have an overview of what you want to accomplish each week, month and year so that you plan your work and work your plan to achieve it. Honour your work, deliver what you promise, keep your commitments, operate at the highest ethical and moral standards and people will respond to this and then respect you for it.
WC should be a good listener. Listening isn’t hearing. Hearing is the mechanical act of letting the other person speak, you can hear the words being said but that doesn’t mean you are necessarily taking it in. listening is deeper than hearing, it makes an impression on you and gives you information.
This has caused many sales people to fail their biggest problem is that they do too much talking and not enough listening. Youngsters and old-sters have been employed by a certain company dealing in kitchen utensils to work as sales urgent by following customers up, buy one get one free as a way of promoting their products.
Their memorised rap introduction does not give customer a chance to speak, they are as fast as quicksilver, one cannot get their names, company names or how beneficial is the product the only thing which is clear is that they are on promotion, for this they have been nicknamed “Ba promotion”.
As a WC avoid talking too much, you will lose out on the business. When brides and grooms are speaking they are sharing with you what they want, don’t want, how they feel, giving you their perspective isn’t that valuable? Too often this is missed in the rush to make money.
It is important to let them do the talking even the matron, flower girls and page boys should be allow to talk. We think children are too young to know anything but this is a misconception, they understand things well, not through learning, knowledge and experience but at intuitive, spiritual levels.
Children can put greater inner wisdom and inspiration to work than adults can. Although they may appear as if they don’t care and understand, in fact they understand everything very well, it is vital to listen well to what children say.
It is amazing what information people will reveal to you only if you let them talk also given a chance to speak and as a WC you will learn so much by listening.
A wise bride and groom will always consult.
I received a mail from Mr Gerald in Mumbwa, in relation to last week’s article duties, and role of a wedding matron.
I thank God for the publication in Sunday Times about your memorable wedding. If we had such God fearing women in our society there would be no cases of GBV, defilement, bad matrons and bana fimbusa. God bless you more, l have witnessed a lot matron who are just for business but now I am touched.
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