| Since businesses have cut back their budgets and are | | | | coordinator. A bride is usually not experienced in |
| holding fewer conferences and meetings in hotels, | | | | reading hotel contracts and may not understand |
| many hotels are working to get a larger share of the | | | | what the terms may mean to her until she has |
| wedding business. They are offering full-service | | | | already invested her money. Let brides know you |
| packages and perks, such as a free night in a suite | | | | can be there to interpret the fine print for them |
| for newlyweds and discounted room rates for | | | | before they sign on the dotted lines. |
| members of the wedding and guests, to encourage | | | | 3) You can work with the hotel chef and catering |
| brides to book them for their ceremonies and | | | | staff or be the liaison for the outside caterer |
| receptions. | | | | With your experience, you can help the bride work |
| Although hotels may have catering staff and event | | | | with the hotel chef to create a customized menu. Or, |
| coordinators, couples can still benefit greatly from | | | | because some hotels now allow outside catering for |
| using your services as a wedding planner. | | | | cultural weddings, such as Chinese or Indian, you can |
| Here are 4 reasons why a bride should hire you | | | | coordinate between the hotel and the bride's chosen, |
| when she is considering a hotel as a venue: | | | | pre-approved caterer. |
| 1) You can negotiate rates | | | | 4) You can work with your network of vendors to |
| If you are familiar with the hotels in your area, you | | | | customize a hotel ballroom |
| may be able to negotiate good rates for your brides. | | | | A hotel ballroom can be transformed into a space |
| Make it a point to include the catering or banquet | | | | that looks custom-designed for the wedding with |
| sales teams and event coordinators of your local | | | | your skills and the talents of your network of |
| hotels in your vendor network. Tour the hotels, get | | | | vendors. The bride will not have to worry about her |
| to know their staffs and be willing to exchange | | | | wedding looking like that of others who have used |
| referrals so you can work with them more easily | | | | the space or be stressed about having to find the |
| when a bride wants assistance. | | | | people who can help her make her vision a reality, if |
| 2) You can explain hotel policies | | | | she works with you. |
| Every hotel has different policies regarding their | | | | You offer valuable services no matter what type of |
| wedding packages, including the use of their rooms, | | | | venue brides select so when a bride questions why |
| the services that they provide, the menu selection | | | | she needs you if she is having her wedding at a |
| and the availability of the on-site event or wedding | | | | hotel, explain these four reasons to her. |