We’ve spent our winter getting our team wedding-season-ready, and are so excited to have brought on some great new assistants to begin helping out this summer. There’s something about having interns & assistants on your team that is so necessary in order to grow both in quantity and quality – It not only opens up new opportunities for newcomers, but also gives us a chance to learn and see things from their fresh perspective. In the spirit of our newest team members (who we cannot wait to give a warm “SG social media” welcome!), today we’re sharing 5 tips for anyone who is looking for an internship in the wedding industry, or for someone who just landed one and wants a leg up on everyone else!
1. Be genuine.
This is the one thing that can set you apart from everyone else. Anyone can show up on wedding day and tell the Bride she looks gorgeous, anyone can learn how to pin a mean boutonniere, and anyone can master the skill of putting together a round place card table (though that one can be tough ;)). But not everyone can make a genuine personal connection – Be yourself, be genuinely interested in what your clients have to say, and take all of that to create a wonderful, lasting relationship with your Bride & Groom.
2. Be persistent.
This one can be tough, especially if you’re fresh out of college and are still a little bit unsure of yourself, but being persistent is huge in this industry (and any industry). There’s a spectrum with demanding at the top, and polite at the bottom. Find a happy medium, and run with it. You need to be able to ask for what you want, and then ask again (and again) all while keeping your cool and being professional.
3. Pay attention to the details.
While we may sometimes wish that the only details needing attention were what type of flower a Bride wanted in her bouquet, and what color uplighting would look better, that’s just not the case. The reality is that all of that fun, glamorous stuff just one (small) part of our job. When we say details, we mean proof reading an email up and down before sending it, fixing typos, correcting calculations, etc. Dedicate yourself to the task at hand, and don’t take short cuts.
4. Be organized.
Being organized is non-negotiable – there is just no away around it. Make to-do lists, create folders, and use all of your resources to develop a system that helps you stay organized. This includes not forgetting anything – appointments, meetings, payments, and ALL of the little “details.” If you can’t remember, write it down, and stash it in one of your folders.
5. Love it.
When you’re working nights, weekends, and holidays, it is so important for you to love your job. If you don’t have the enthusiasm and passion, chances are one of the skills listed above will slip through the cracks.
Top Photo: Jeremy Lawson Photography