Wedding Competitors: Can't we all just get along?

I'm an obnoxiously fast typer. And to be on the safe side, I tested myself online just moments ago. Yep, 90 words a minute.

I'd love to credit my Freshmen year Computer class and various typing games, but really, I owe all my skills to my high school friend Ann.

There were three of us who sat in the far corner of the room and when Ann got to typing, it was a symphony on the keyboard. I was a mix of envy and jealousy with a hint of competition (okay, maybe more than a hint).

Before you knew it, I was typing fast and furious to keep up. And know what? I’m good. Darn good. I’d hate for anyone to run into me in a back alley with a couple of keyboards because I’d wipe the floor with them.

The wedding world can be perplexing when it comes to competition, and I find that each vendor type has its own take on it. Some have no troubles gathering their wedding comrades and hightailing it to the nearest pub to toast their crazy lives. While others manage to spend years circumventing each while attending the same functions.

When I used to wear my Reception hat, I loved getting to know the other venues in town. Brides were always surprised that I was quick to recommend my fellow competitors when our space wouldn't work for them. They were even more surprised when I’d finish the conversation with “oh and tell him I said hi.”

I had no problem embracing my competitor. Why you may ask?

1) Not every bride that comes through your door is going to be a good fit. Show them that extra level of service by offering them suggestions as to other colleagues who may be. Now that, my friends, is what I call a lasting impression.

2) In turn, you may be on the receiving end of a referral should your competitor have to turn down a wedding.

3) Who else is really going to get it when a bride rolls in on the crazy train insisting you repaint your venue to match her wedding colors? Sure you’ve got a sounding board in your friends and family- but isn’t it nice when you can share your bits of frustration with someone just like yourself? Like I used to say to my friends in Freshmen year Statistics, there's company in misery.

Case in point- I had spent about five years in the business and one evening as I’m about to shut down my computer (5:29pm!), my General Manager announces to us all that he needed the Audio Visual Pricing of all our competitors. Oh and by tomorrow morning (panic!).

I wiped the sweat of my brow and got digging- well, begging. I wrote all of my buddies and basically said, Listen, I know you’re all working still because I am always at work at this time. And you know I wouldn’t be pleading if I wasn’t desperate. So how about those AV prices?

By the very next morning, I easily had the full AV pricing for our top five or six competitors.

Now that situation could have gone several different ways but because I had established a trusting relationship among my competitors, I came out on top. And the next time one of my fellow venues needed to know exactly how much our scallops wrapped in shrimp cost? I’d be first in line to send it to them. Maybe even with samples.

Now am I asking you to gather around a camp fire and sing kumbaya? Nope. But I am asking you to consider the idea that in good times, there is enough business to go around. Your competitors are better for knowing you and—get this— you’ll be better for knowing them.

Just like my 90 word per minute hands are better for knowing Ann.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing group geared towards wedding professionals. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, and has a regular spot on Bridesight TV.