As defined in dictionary.com, professionalism says little about the type of traits and characteristics a professional truly demonstrates.
pro·fes·sion·al·ism /prəˈfɛʃənlˌɪzəm/ Show Spelled
[pruh-fesh-uh-nl-iz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1. professional character, spirit, or methods.
2. the standing, practice, or methods of a professional, as distinguished from an amateur.
The longer I am an active part of the working world, the more and more I realize that my definition of professionalism is in fact seriously different than the definition held by most others...or at least, as they actually demonstrate in their day to day dealings.
Professionalism in my view, has nothing to do with a person's certificate, diploma, education or credentials. It has nothing to do with years of service, number of weddings in the portfolio or diplomacy. But it has everything to do with an ability to recognize talent, an ability to demonstrate respect to everyone, and an ability to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. First and foremost, all of these things require a person to be curious, interested and able to listen above all else.
In Corporate America, professionalism is dictated by the dollars. First it's identified by letters and certificates. Then it is demonstrated by a diplomacy that does nothing but feign respect for others while protecting one's own interests.
The wedding industry disguises petty ruthlessness and rudeness with glitz, and glamour. The tool it uses to decry it's own professionalism, is again distinguished first by it's letters and certificates, followed closely by a feigned intimate interest in it's clients. Almost every wedding service provider will tell you the things you need to hear in order to believe that this wedding, your wedding, is the only one on their books that's important. Almost every wedding service provider will work with you throughout the entire process to make you feel like every time you talk to them, you are talking to a member of your family. The reason they do this is that they are all chasing dreams. Your dreams. The reason they are chasing your dreams is because your dreams line their pockets.
There are three types of wedding planners. Ones who charge way too much for their mediocre services. These planners are integral to the industry, because they plan very few weddings, and generate a huge fantasy of elitism and exclusivity for the industry on the whole. Then there are the planners who are seriously giving away the crappiest services they can deliver. Both types of planners are the types of planners who will show you the shiny stuff in their suitcase and dazzle the dollars right out of your pocket.
Then there are the highly qualified, substance driven planners, who all recognize that they aren't going to get rich off your dreams, but are bent on working for themselves, and making sure they deliver quality services in whatever way they can. These are the true professionals.
The same is true for all areas of the wedding services industry. Finding the best ones, is sometimes as easy as plainly looking at the service provider's philosophy and their ethics. If at first it smells like they are blowing smoke up your skirt, imagine how you butt will smell when they are done?
Why is this all important? Well it's important because there are three types of clients. The clients who want to feel exclusive and elite for as free as they can possibly get it, or as I like to call them: he clients who like smoked skirt. The clients who will pay anything for that exclusivity, and the ones who'd rather do most of it on their own with some help here and there when they get stuck.
So when I say beware of the professional in the wedding industry, what am I ultimately getting to? Well, this notion of exclusivity has spun a web of interwoven and superceding interests. Schools and associations that help millions of people believe that being a professional in this industry is little investment, and loads of rewards; both personal and most definitely financial. Associations and schools who shine the pretty distractions before both clients and professionals in order to collect more money from everyone on the list, and who offer nothing of substantial value in return.
In order to avoid being one of the horror stories or at least part of one, what should you be looking for? You should be looking for:
- the planner who tells you her emergency suitcase is stocked with nipple bandaids, fishing line, a sewing kit and wire cutters.
- You should steer clear of the planner who tells you that she's coming prepared with toasting glasses and a guest book.
- You should steer clear of a photographer who couldn't provide references, who commits to giving you proofs within a week of your wedding and who is charging separately for their second shooter.
- You should jump at the chance to work with a photographer who stands by their reasonable prices, who refuses to work without a second shooter and who is honest with you about being able to get you proofs within 2 months.
The same goes for florists and decorators and venues and so on. The credentials people will share with you, should do the same thing for you as they do for large corporate businesses. They give you a starting point, and really mean little else than the fact that this person has proven they can learn, and that they can take a test.
Experience and philosophy are priceless. They demonstrate repeatable history, and the guiding principles of your service provider. These guiding principles distinguish the real professionals from the ones who are faking it to get a piece of your wallet.
So the next time you are interviewing a potential service provider, ask them why they got into the business. Ask them why they stay in it. Ask them to describe what their perfect wedding looks like. If these answers all feel good to you, then you probably have a winner. If the questions stump this person, and they start fumbling for answers, run. No matter how good the prices sound. Run fast dear friend.
