Experience vs. Expertise
If I were to say that in my twenty plus years of working in the industry I think I have seen and heard just about everything… it would be time for me to retire. It has been my observation that the wedding industry is ever evolving. As time passes so do trends, and there is a big difference between experience and ‘expertise.’
The wedding professional with experience knows that listening to what the bride wants is the path to success, while allowing the bride to rely on the experience of the professional as a barometer. I have found that most brides have specific wants, and if ever a day that a bride wanted her dreams to come true, it’s a good bet that would be her wedding day.
On the other hand, the ‘expert’ (and yes, they exist) is the professional that is more interested in talking than listening. They try to focus the bride on ‘their way,’ saying things like “Oh, this is the way it’s done” or “I do it this way.” These are clear warning signs… heed them. As a wedding DJ, my experience with ‘The Expert DJ’ has been with brides telling me “The last DJ I spoke with told me they don’t take requests.” Yes, I said brides plural, because I get that call more often than I can even believe. When I ask them what the [DJs] reasoning was behind such a statement, the bride usually tells me, “He/She said that they know what works.” Believe it or not, I hear this at least twenty times a year.
Whether it is a caterer, a photographer, wedding planner or videographer, make sure they listen to YOU. Remember, your wedding isn’t called ‘Your day’ for nothing. The professionals you choose to hire for your big day should be all about you, what you want, what you need, and help to achieve making your dreams come true.
Craig Sumsky
Cutting Edge Entertainment
Cutting Edge @ December 11, 2007