How to Gain Client Trust as a Wedding Planner
Gaining client trust is crucial to being successful in business.
As a wedding planner, having clients trust you is essential to providing an exceptional service. Without a trusting relationship between the planner and the client, the wedding planning process can become overwhelming and stressful. Without trust, the client may not feel comfortable communicating their expectations and the planner may not feel comfortable proposing and executing their vision. This can lead to a wedding that is not up to the client’s standards and, ultimately, unhappy customers.
When you first start out as a wedding planner, you quickly realize that client trust is hard to come by. On such an important day, it’s understandable that couples hesitate to hand over the reins to someone they barely know. If you’re struggling to gain the trust of your clients (and potential clients), here are a few things you can do to turn the tide.
Get organized—and stay that way
One of the quickest ways to lose a client’s trust is to be disorganized. If you’re constantly forgetting meetings, losing important documents, or double-booking yourself, your clients will pick up on it pretty quickly. They’ll start to question whether you’re really up for the task of planning their wedding—and they’ll be right. The best way to combat this is to get (and stay) organized from the very beginning. Invest in a good planner and learn how to use it effectively. Set up a system to keep track of important documents and make sure everything is filed in its proper place. And most importantly, learn how to say “no” when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Your clients will appreciate your honesty and appreciate that you’re not biting off more than you can chew.
Keep your cool—no matter what
Wedding planning is a stressful job—there’s no doubt about it. But if you want your clients to trust you, it’s important that you never let them see you sweat. No matter how big the problem or how close the wedding date gets, always keep your cool and present a positive attitude. Your clients will feed off of your energy, so if you’re calm and collected, they will be too. But if you start to freak out, they’ll start to freak out too—and that’s not good for anyone involved.
Be transparent—always
One of the easiest ways to lose a client’s trust is by being less than transparent about what’s going on behind the scenes. If something goes wrong or there’s a change in plans, be quick to communicate it to your client. The last thing they want is to be left in the dark about what’s going on with their own wedding!
By being open and honest with your clients at all times, you’ll build a foundation of trust that will last long after the wedding day is over. They’ll know that they can always count on you to give it to them straight—no sugarcoating necessary.
Gaining Client Trust Last Words
Gaining the trust of your clients should be one of your top priorities. Being able to stay organized, manage stress in high pressure situations, and remain transparent and honest with your clients will help foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding. By following these key strategies, you’ll not only gain your client’s trust but become skilled at managing wedding planning projects like a true professional. If all this sounds overwhelming for you to take on independently, don’t worry! Enrolling in the Bride to Boss Business Suite can equip you with all the necessary tools needed to build a successful career as a wedding planner. Plus, you’ll gain access to our coach-led program where you’ll receive weekly assignments and support so that you can hit the ground running with confidence and charm. So what are you waiting for? Put yourself in the driver’s seat by signing up for the Bride to Boss Business Suite today!
