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Wedding Planning During COVID-19: When to Check In With Your Couples

By WeddingPro

If you’re anything like us, checking in with people has become a major part of your daily routine. From family and friends to our entire list of professional contacts, we’ve typed “just wanted to say hi!” more times than we’d like to admit. And, in a time where a simple check in can actually make someone’s day, it’s an important thing to do. So today, we wanted to chat about when to check in with your couples. Read on for examples of when you should be touching base with your clients in order to build your relationship with them as well as keep momentum with their planning journey.

The “Just Because” Check In

Relationships are everything when you are in a service sector like the wedding industry. And, while checking in just to check in might be good for building a positive reputation, it is also really good for showing your clients your heart. Because, checking in with no agenda shows that you truly care about them as people and not just as paying clients. 

So, if you are finding yourself socially distanced from your couples, be sure to check in on a regular basis. You can send them a text simply to say, “I hope you have a great day,” send them a DM on Instagram of something that made you think of them or pop into their inbox to say hello. Regardless of which medium is best suited for you (hello boundaries!), a check in without motive is good for showing you care more than to only get in touch when you need something—not to mention making them feel good which can lead to referrals!

 

The “Let’s Keep Things Going” Check In

If you and your couples are used to working together in person, switching to a virtual model can slow things down. But, if you haven’t needed to reschedule your wedding dates, then a slow roll is the last thing you want! You want your couples to stay excited about planning their weddings in order to keep everything on track—so, sometimes you are going to need to give them a little (or a lot) of nudging.

Consider checking in with your couples like clockwork in order to keep structure and momentum. For example, if your couples know that you are going to get in touch with them every other week with updates and progress check ins, they are probably more likely to get their “homework” done. Plus, being in very regular contact gives you an opportunity to keep your couples in the know about what you are working on (showing your value) as well as where things might have stalled and how you need to work through it.

“Couples are currently faced with the daunting task of rescheduling or reinventing their wedding dreams. And, because state mandates and COVID guidelines are gradually loosening in my area, I’ve checked in with all of my couples at this point.” – Josey Stafford of Sixpence Events  

Pro Tip: Checking in with your couples leading up to a deadline on any of their assigned tasks is a great touch point because it reminds them that they have something to do as well as shows them that you are super on top of things for them. Ask them what channel of communication works best for their style so that you can meet them where they are! 

 

The “Original Wedding Date” Check In 

In the case that you are working with couples who have had to reschedule their wedding (because we know that many have), then perhaps the most important check in you can do is on their original wedding date. And, even if there is some discomfort in bringing it up, we feel like celebrating it is more of a bright spot than anything else! If you need some ideas to get the juices flowing, check out these 14 ways pros are honoring their couples’ would-be wedding dates.

 

The “We Might Need to Talk About Rescheduling” Check In 

As a wedding pro, you’re used to having the occasional hard conversation. But, when it comes to approaching your clients with the reality that their wedding might need to be rescheduled (or rescheduled again)? Pretty much the worst. The key in setting yourself and your clients up for the least out-of-left-field conversation is to not put it off; when you see things shifting away from your favor, it’s time to check in with them. 

“For my couples, it’s been easiest to keep their pre-COVID wedding dates but opt for a tiny ceremony; which they decided to do more than 90 days out.” – Josey Stafford of Sixpence Events  

When you do, deliver the message in a way that doesn’t make them feel like they have to reschedule but prepares them if you do need to contact them about changing their wedding plans in the future. For example:

Hi [Couples’ Names],

I hope your week is going well! I actually just [share something positive about their wedding]—it’s going to be great!

I also wanted to touch base with you because I saw that [share what has changed]. And, while we can continue moving forward with everything we’ve planned so far, I wanted to make sure that you were aware of the news. If anything changes, you will be the first to know. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Always here to help!

[Your Name]

In the end, checking in with your couples is an important thing to do for lots of reasons. And, whether it’s to celebrate something or to have a hard conversation, we know that your passion for weddings and helping your couples will come through. 

 

Photo Credit: fizkes/shutterstock.com