tips & advice
A Privilege
I love my business for many reasons. I have the wonderfully exciting mission of representing unique and often historic locations for New England wedding receptions and I work with happy couples who are embarking on an exciting stage of their relationship. My first career was in social work-a world I thought a million miles away from wedding planning. Every once in a while I joke with my brides that I still am a social worker and recently I began thinking of how true this is.
So many of the qualities that I am proud to say I possess are tapped in my work with couples and their families. First and foremost, my genuine love of people. I love speaking to and meeting with couples and hearing their engagement stories. My first question often is “Was it a surprise?” and I watch as the couple share where they were engaged-sometimes in Paris or some other romantic location which does make me pretty envious! It brings me easily back to my engagement and it is easy to get teary-eyed as I recall my special night.
I don’t think of my job as being in sales as much as I do as listener and helper. I enjoy hearing of my couples’ plans as I offer input on ways to incorporate their unique personalities into their wedding ceremony and reception. I am often asked about any “Bridezillas” that I encounter and much to my interviewer’s disappointment I exclaim that I don’t meet “Bridezillas” for I believe that you get back what you put into a relationship. I am very fortunate to work with fun people who I enjoy interacting with.
Meeting with and working with couples’ families is a major part of what I do. Parents continue to be an integral part of their children’s planning process and often I am the recipient of some pretty tough Moms and Dads as they work to ensure that their son or daughter’s reception will be perfect. Family dynamics are apparent as everything from what to serve for signature cocktail to how many guests are on the invitation lists can trigger upsets that only each family member can identify with. At those times I sit calmly and realize that I am invited into their living room at that moment. All the love is evident and at the same time family annoyances come through. I am not embarrassed and realize at that time that it is a privilege to be privy to each couples’ family dynamics-their little bit of dirty laundry. For better and for worse it is as much a part of my job as it is to ensure that their wedding venue will be romantic and fun and memorable. And I am grateful that my social work skills are still valuable as I help my clients plan their special day.
Susan Sambrano is the President of Elegant Venues, LLC. www.elegantvenues.com