Its official! You’ve been chosen to shadow and assist a wedding planner in your area. You’re probably nervous, excited, apprehensive and confident all rolled up into one…am I right?  No worries…its perfectly normal because you may not know what to expect or how to make the most of the experience. Today’s article, while not about the business end of running your planning business; it's still relevant information.

 

I’m going to share with you all the things I tell my assistants when they begin working for me. My goal is for them to be successful, because if they are successful then I’m successful…and that means my clients will have a successful wedding day!

 

The following 7 tips will help you whether you are in the office for a day with a planner or if you are fortunate enough to assist on the wedding day.

 

Before You Go, Put Yourself In the Planner’s Shoes
Being able to work with an established wedding planner gives you a peek into their world. It is a privileged and personal thing. Many planners have spent years shaping and molding their business and personal image. When you intern with or assist a planner, you get to see wedding planning from a vantage point that many are unable to see. Conduct yourself in a way that you would expect someone who was interning with you to conduct themselves. Who knows…you may be able to return the favor one day.

 

Determine What you Want From the Experience
Do you want to learn how to stage the wedding party properly or perhaps you would like to learn how to create the perfect time line? Deciding what you want to learn and communicating that to the wedding planner will make your experience much more educational.

 

Be Professional at All Times
Make sure to ask what you should wear. Make sure it is something professional and tasteful…no skin tight pants or short skirts, please. Hair and nails groomed, wear comfortable shoes…think 12 hours on your feet…and your jewelery needs to be understated as well. You don’t want to be jingling during the ceremony or during the toasts.  Show respect for the Planner, the clients, their guests and the other vendors. Turn off your cell phone or put it on vibrate. Show up BEFORE you’re scheduled to arrive; smiling, standing up straight and really showing an eagerness to learn.

 

Go Above and Beyond
Be sure to always ask the planner what you can do to help. But don’t stand around and wait for the planner to tell you what task to do next, either. Keep busy.  Wedding Day can be hectic sometimes and the planner won’t always have time to direct you in each and every task. No task is too small or too large…always pitch in to help with a smile. If in doubt always ask, but part of being a good planner is the ability to think fast on your feet.

 

Ask Questions
It’s ok to ask questions. Let’s face it…you don’t know what you don’t know. Sometimes people won’t ask a question because of the fear of appearing as if they don’t know what they’re doing. If you knew it all you wouldn’t be an intern, right? Just be careful about when and where you ask the questions. If the wedding planner is with the client, wait until you can speak to the planner alone. You don’t want the client to think the planner’s assistant isn’t on point. Remember…you are representing the planner and her company at all times.

 

Follow Up!
Be sure to ask the planner for feedback about your performance. You can’t grow if you don’t know. Ask where you can improve and also ask where you shined…and don’t beat yourself up. Ask the planner how you can do better next time.

 

And last but definitely not least…

 

Say Thank You!
Don’t forget to send the planner a nice, hand written thank you card. Trust me…it goes a LONG way in the cool points department.

 

Are you having a hard time with the business of running your business?  My 10-Step Before the Bride system may be the answer for you. 

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Wendy Robinson, the Aspire to Plan Business Planning Consultant, is founder of the Aspire to Plan blog and Before the Bride Consulting Program, a 10 step program developed to help wedding planners start their businesses the right way...to become business owners and not just hobbyists.  To receive her weekly business building articles on developing a successful wedding planning business, visit www.AspiretoPlan.com and sign up for her newsletter.