Let me first start off by saying, I HATE taking notes. When I worked outside of the wedding industry, just the mere thought of taking notes while in a boardroom, would send me running in the opposite direction. It’s funny though, because I understand the importance of it. Note taking helps me comprehend more, it allows me to organize my thoughts, and it helps me retain more knowledge. I take notes while reading books, going to conferences, or taking a class… yet in meetings, it drove me crazy!!
So, I get it, you are not a note taker, and couldn’t care less, but I’m hoping to sway you today… at least for your wedding. Or, perhaps you love taking notes, then this will just solidify your decision, and you’ll feel like a champ! Either way, by the time we’re done, I hope you’ll feel more confident in taking notes, and see why it’s so vitally important to do it when meeting with wedding vendors.
For this blog, we’re going to assume you’ve already booked your vendors, and now you’re having a meeting with them to discuss, in detail, your vision, what you want for the day, and what the expectation is for your vendor, and for you. And, away we go!
The Notes of Success
#1 - The first reason is for you! That’s right, it’s for you.
Planning an entire wedding can, and will be overwhelming. Most of you have never been married and/or you’ve not attended very many weddings, plus, you probably didn't pay attention to all the little details while at the wedding, and now you’ve been thrust into planning this HUGE life event, and you don’t know where to start, who to talk to, where to….aaaahhhhh… I’m stressed just thinking about it.
So, take a deep breath, you’ve hired some fantastic vendors, let us help. First, when you meet with us, plan on taking notes. It shows us, the vendors, that you’re trying to prepare, and be organized. We love seeing couples who understand that our meeting is important. We have a lot to say, and not much time to say it. We’ll be covering quite a bit, and want to make sure you understand it all. Plus. you’re not going to remember everything we talk about, and this allows you to go back, read through your notes, and get a good idea of what you need to do next.
For example, when I meet with my couples, we walk through an entire ceremony, talking about all the different options, and opportunities they have for their ceremony. I also cover how to obtain a wedding license, and all the info that goes with that. It’s a lot! And, I’m just one of the vendors. How could I, or you, expect to remember everything we talk about.
Taking notes will help you remember. Trust me, you’re going to need to refer back to your notes tons of times. In fact, you’ll probably visit them several times while planning, for different reasons. Taking notes helps you organize your thoughts, it allows you to highlight specific things you want to focus on later in the planning process, and it’ll help with your stress levels as your big day gets closer and closer.
#2 - It helps your vendors.
I know… how does your note taking help your vendors out? Just trust me, it does. Not only do you have a ton of stuff going on planning your wedding, but so do we. Not only for your wedding, but for other couples as well.
You see, for me, I handle over 150 ceremonies every year. I’ve learned a lot in the 15 years I’ve been an officiant, and I’m still learning more every year. I have quite a few couple’s who rely on me to create their wedding ceremony, and I want it to be perfect for their wedding day. If I’m constantly answering the same questions over and over again, with every couple, it takes away time I could be working on someone else’s wedding.
But if you’ve taken notes, chances are, the answer to your question, is in your notebook. Now I’m not saying I’m going to turn away a couples questions, no way! In fact, I encourage my couples to reach out to me at any time, and for any reason. However, sometimes I wonder how many questions I’d have to field daily if all my couples took notes while meeting with me.
You taking notes, will help relieve stress from yourself, as well as potential stress from your vendors. We love you guys, and want nothing but the best for your wedding day. Trust us, trust the process, and take notes. All us wedding vendors are experts in our own field, we have a lot to say, and we have a lot of experience/knowledge. It can be overwhelming talking with us about your wedding day, so take notes, so we can ensure you have all the answers you’ll need throughout the planning process.
#3 - It’s for your future self
That’s right, it’s for you again, but in the future. I’ve already eluded to this earlier, but your future self will thank you for taking notes. As the last few months/weeks/days tick down to your nuptials, you’re going to have a million things potentially thrown your way. You’ll be so grateful to be able to go back to your notes, and see what still needs to be handled, and what things you don’t need to be concerned with.
I try as best as I can not to inundate couples with too much info at the beginning, as I don’t want their heads to begin spinning, and scare them off from their wedding day. However, because there are so many important things to cover, and some of it is about the last 30-60 days before their date, I have to make sure they are aware of certain processes, and procedures, in order to have a smooth day.
I remember years ago meeting with a couple. We covered quite a bit, as I usually do, and they weren’t taking notes. I checked in on them periodically, and all seemed good. About 10 days before the wedding, I sent them my usual last confirmation message, ensuring we were all on the same page, and that the details I had were correct. Everything was well thought out, and appeared to be taken care of for a great wedding day.
As I arrived that day, I checked in with the groom, and he was nervous, but all smiles. Then, I got word the bride wanted to chat for a second. I went to where she was getting ready, and we had a nice conversation. At the end, as I always do, I checked on three things:
“Rings made it?”
”Check!”
”You have your vows?”
”Check!”
”And where is the license?”
”Hahahaha, good one Ernie.”
…
”Wait, what? No really, did the license make it?”
…
…
Bride is now going pale. “I thought we got that from you on the wedding day..”
Nope! Folks, I covered that in my meeting with them. In fact, I hit the wedding license pretty hard in my meetings. I want to make sure the couple is more than prepared for what’s going to happen. But yet, somehow, someway, it went over their heads. They didn’t take any notes, and therefore, forgot the most important thing for a wedding day.
It turned out fine, as we got a license later on, and signed it afterwards, but they now have 2 anniversaries. One for the day they got married, and one for when it was made legal.
So, again, your future self will thank you, and love you, for taking notes. Because it will help them be organized, and make sure they’re taking care of everything they need to take care of for your wedding day
Note to self: Take notes
If you’re a note taker, I’m sure this probably reiterated for you everything you already knew. And, if you’re not a note taker, I hope this opened your eyes, and persuaded you to take notes. Either way, when the going gets tough, lean on your vendors, that’s what we’re here for. We want to help you have a beautiful wedding, and hopefully take some of the stress off your shoulders.
If you’d like to sit down with me, and take notes on how I can make your ceremony amazing, contact me. I’d love to help make your ceremony as unique as you!