A WEDDING comprises of six categories of inhabitants, namely the couple, bridal party, parents, invited guests,organisers and service providers.
The author of this column has written about the dress code and etiquettes of bride, groom, bridal party, mother of the bride and groom, invited guests and organizers. This is why it is a good thing to talk about the service provider.
The dress code and etiquette applies also to the wedding service providers. Service providers are those who are paid to work at a wedding, this means they are not invited guests.
The difference is that the latter is invited to celebrate with the couple and witness the matrimony.
Service providers are paid for the work to be done, these are decorators, wedding planners, event coordinators, florists, cake designers or bakers, chef, DJ, MC and photographer.
The question is what is the dress code for service providers? There is no set rules on the design for those rending a service, what they should put into consideration when choosing an attire is that not only are they working but marketing and advertising their businesses.
Every wedding is different, but here in Zambia all the reception venue owners and brides will not request you to dress within a certain code.
They say do not judge a book by its cover but a well-designed cover which has been paid particular attention to will receive more sales and more readership.
The same applies to our dress code it shows those around us our true character. Reputation is made by others, but your character is made by you, this is the reason why you cannot have your identity mistaken.
Showing up to work looking put together assures the client that you are taking your job seriously, make sure your customer service skills and professional demeanor match your appearance.
To the female service providers cleavage is not an accessory. If you are wearing a dress which might be worn by bridesmaids add a belt or jacket so that it does not look too bridesmaid-y or matron-y. Dress appropriately, let the bride stand out in her wedding gown.
No short dresses, skirt or show too much skin at the wedding and in the formal photos. Please don’t steal attention from the bride.
Try by all means to avoid the wedding colours, so that you don’t match the bridal party. Look at the invited cards colours because they carry the theme of the wedding.
It’s not your day but that is no reason not to be yourself, feel confident while not terribly offending anyone. Dress with excellence, don’t wear anything that will make you stand out too much, be appropriate for the occasion. For male service providers patterned neck tie, dark suit with a white or light coloured shirt.
MC within your circle of friends, even dry jokes can make all of you laugh and any attire worn makes sense but not in front of 300 guests. Mc go to the venue 15minutes before time so that you can orientate yourself where you are going to stand.
Some MC are slowly making it a habit to change suits every after an hour but this is a bad habit.
Even if you have a clothing label, turning someone wedding day into a fashion show is just not right. You can wear one then let the groomsmen wear the other pieces, but don’t get carried away explaining the suits focus on what you are paid to do at that particular time.
The chefs have a uniform which they usually wear. It is white but it does not outstand the bride, as it has no embellishments. Just make sure you look smart, no stains of soups so that the guests enjoy a delicious meal and not make them loose appetite all because of your appearance.
According to cartblancheweddings.com they had this to say, wedding planners should have a dress code or at least a dress style for the occasion.
They should adopt a sense of style that reflects them as individuals and as planners since they are the walking and talking advertisement for their business.
The best colour to wear as a service provider is black outfit and I too love to wear black outfit or black t-shit or shirt branded, for marketing purposes.
Wear black so that even if you make a lot of movements, you will not steal all the attentions. Black is a colour which says don’t bother me and will not bother you.
Wear proper professional shoes which will be comfortable as you will be running up and down the whole day.
Don’t wear new shoes and fashionable shoes, it’s not a fashion show or shoes day you are working.
Service providers always seat at the tables which are placed behind the reception venue. Remember do not go to a wedding too overdressed or underdressed, be a service provide that the bride will recommend to other brides and invited guests will love to hire one day. Comments:0966665468, mail: sunittasyabeene@yahoo.com