I am the queen of writing down checklists – I could probably make a checklist for my checklists… wow. Sometimes I even include items I have already completed just so i can cross them off. Hey, we are all guilty of that… at least I am honest, right? I love grocery lists, to do lists, iphone lists, email lists… okay, now I am starting to sound like I hoard lists and I have a problem. I promise I am not that extreme. One place I have kept a mental checklist are the things I value and I want my clients to value as well. It really is a short and simple list and it makes my life a heck of a lot easier… I promise.
Whenever I get an inquiry for a wedding date, I first do a little happy dance, then I take the time to ask each lovely couple a few different questions based off of their initial contact. I know that they are engaged and planning a wedding, but beyond that I want to know what they value in this life… beyond the florals and centerpieces (although, I totally love talking wedding.) I want to know how they met, what in life they are passionate about, what they value, how important photography is to them. Although we all know I am obsessed and over the moon with wedding details, I really want to get to the core of my clients and make sure our ideals align. When I read the responses I go through my mental checklist, usually with tears in my eyes because my clients are THE best story tellers and their emails turn me into a teary sap.
Wondering what this mental checklist is that I speak of?
– Clients that are truly in love and believe in marriage: I want clients who genuinely love each other first and foremost and realize that long after the wedding day, they get to hang out and do life together. Perspective is key! Weddings are amazing and perfect, but they are only one day of your life. I love when my clients rave about their partner, when they talk about the qualities they value and love! It turns me into a puddle of mush and I can’t say I hate it. Marriage is a beautiful thing, so working with people who believe in it’s beauty and who think more about the vows than the flowers can make a big difference….
– Clients that value their family and friends: Yes the wedding is all about the two of you, but it is also a special day for the people who have supported you to celebrate your love. I love when my clients tell me about their families, their wedding parties, why they want to throw a super fun soiree so that grandma can get out on the dance floor. I value my family more than words can express, so working with people who love their families is only natural. I promise by the end of the night, your mom will give me a hug and your crazy aunt Betty will ask if I was your college roommate.
– Clients that don’t believe in perfect: I always tell people that weddings are a living, moving, breathing phenomenon. You can plan all of you want but somethings are due to run a little off course. If I book people who are madly in love, they don’t even notice the little things in their day! Heck, they are getting married. I always tell the story about how our wedding cake tipped over not once, but twice and my mom refrosted it quickly, just to see how they respond. I, I thought it was hilarious! I didn’t even notice actually… at the end of the day if you got to marry the person you are in love with, the day is absolutely perfect. I want to work with clients who will go with the flow and enjoy every minute of the crazy wedding day ride! Remember: You want to work with people who want a marriage more beautiful than their wedding.
– Clients that value photography: This sounds like a no brainer, I don’t want brides who are willing to hire just anyone. I want people who genuinely want me to be at their wedding day, camera in hand. I want people who believe in the work I create and the energy I bring to their wedding day. I love hearing about why people value photography and how it is an important part of their day! Heck, they will spend more time with me than each other so I sure hope we are good friends! It is such a special day, so working with clients who are genuinely interested in my work and trust my experience makes all the difference in the world!
I do a lot of my work through email, so being able to tell your story through letters and emails helps me to get a feel for the two of you and your lives. These are things that are on my mental checklist. As I focus on booking a limited about of weddings each year, I really want to make sure I am working with people who are like me: in love with life, the journey, and the ride. It is all a little crazy at times but with the right perspective, anything is possible. by the time we meet up for coffee, boy, we have a lot to chat about! I love my clients, they bless me in so many ways, no wonder we become fast friends!
What’s on your mental checklists?
i love this, jenna! and the third point is so true. heck, they are getting married! 😉 and yes, i want to work with clients who want their marriage to be more beautiful than their wedding!
So true! I have worked with clients who are not really that into their wedding day and it is not fun at all! Also I am realizing I really need to make sure the client values photography because when I realize an inquiry doesn’t it makes the entire relationship awkward. Love this post chica dee
I totally agree that having clients that are into their photography make working with them so much more fun! Also, keeping the perspective that a wedding day is just the BEGINNING to a marriage that will last a lifetime is so important to me. Loved this post.
Well said Jenna! My favorite wedding are the ones where the guests enjoy the celebration just as much as the bride and groom. It really shows when brides value their friends and family.
I’m a list ma-chine! I burn up my blackberry (sadly yes, blackberry) with list after list!
Wonderful checklist! I’m totally a checklist person too. I’m a pen and pad kinda lady! 🙂
Incredibly insightful. I especially love the part about a “living, moving, breathing phenomenon.” I just explained this to a couple recently at a meeting, and I just love the way you phrased it.
LOVE your post! So true; no matter how much you plan, something always gets delayed! There is no such thing as “planned” perfection!
Loved this post! Great thoughts! You said it all so well!
I have a checklist going in my brain all the time. Actually about 5 of them. When it gets too long to remember, or I think my head may explode, I go ahead and write it down. Crossing things off brings me a joy like no other and makes me feel a little more worthy somehow. Is that bad? LOl.
Loved this…I could just hear you saying all this as we curl our hair or laid sprawled out on our beds in Seattle. Love you so much and think you’re amazing.
Great list Jenna!
This is a really great post! I couldn’t agree more. beautifully written 🙂
Love these! I always tell clients not to expect perfection on their wedding day, but to just go with the flow and the morning of the wedding, leave the organization and stress behind and just enjoy the day!
Jenna, these are great tips to help a bride decide whether you are the right fit for her. I have a mental checklist and my husband can’t stand it. I value planning in every aspect of my life but flexibility is also important. The cake tipped over TWICE? oh, how funny!
Jenna, your pictures are gorgeous! I also love the bridesmaid dresses in this shoot. Is there any way of finding out the designer of the dress or where I could find them. Thanks!
Hi D! The Dresses are from Nordstrom! They found them on sale this past summer! Aren’t they simply lovely? If you need any more details, I would be happy to get them for you!