"Newbies" and "Wannabes"

As of January 2010, this has become the new “hot topic” in many articles, blogs, and networking discussions in the event planning industry. However, this topic is not specific to event planners only, but to everyone in the event industry from caterers to florists, from deejays to photographers, from videographers to designers, and from coordinators to consultants.

Although this is not a new phenomenon, in the recent years we are really seeing an influx of emerging planners. Is it due to the current economic conditions or the hype of the industry being a glitzy and glamorous one? Clearly, without truly understanding the hard work and details that go into planning an event, one sees the final product and assumes that it is an easy and glamorous career.

First, let us differentiate the term “Newbies” from “Wannabes.” A “Newbie” refers to newcomers into the industry. Typically, they have the education; they may or may not have some practicum hours under their belt and are in their first year in business. A “Wannabe,” on the other hand, has done nothing much towards establishing themselves as real professionals, has no education and usually has minimal or no experience in the industry

I would like to emphasize that seasoned planners have nothing against “Newbies.” After all, all planners were once “Newbies” themselves.

Are they driving down the price structure? Yes, they probably are, and undercutting prices is a major problem. However, remember the saying, "What you pay, is what you get,” and consequently, seasoned planners should not feel that they have to compromise their brand and/or service parameters because of fear of losing a potential client to a “Newbie” or “Wannabe.” Another major concern to seasoned planners is when some “Newbies” and “Wannabes” blatantly copy/lift contents (verbatim) and pictures from their websites and use it as their own.

The truth is, it is not so much the threat or fear of the influx of “Newbies” and “Wannabes” that is the main concern for seasoned planners, but the lowering prices and standards and the blatant use of other planners ‘sweat and blood’ by some of these “Newbies” and “Wannabes.” What do you think?

Wedding Song Choices

Wedding season is upon us and like everything else in the process, song selection is an equally important part.

The First Dance:
For some couples, selecting the song for their first dance is easy because they have “their song,” while for others it may be a daunting task. So, how does a couple select their song for their first dance from the endless myriads of song choices available today?
Photo courtesy of www.16-strings.com

This is a very personal but imperative process. The most important factor to take into consideration when choosing any song is that the song has to be meaningful to you as a couple. It can have sentimental value or it can simply be something fun. Whatever it is, make sure you both like the song. Do not choose a song because it is popular or because other people will like it; your wedding day is about the two of you and not the other people. Additionally, although traditionally the first dance is a slow tempo, it doesn't have to be! Nor does it have to be one song, it can be a medley of songs.

Another important consideration is the lyrics of the song. Many couples pick “popular” songs without really understanding the lyrics and meaning of the song. One needs to take time to listen and understand the lyrics because there are times when lyrics have undertones and connotations subject to different interpretations. If you are not sure of the lyrics of a song, Google them!

Finally, do not pick a song that you will be uncomfortable dancing in the presence of parents and grandparents.

Whatever the choice, it has to be “yours” and remember that people will associate it as “your” song whenever they hear it.

Examples of song choices to be mindful of when selecting your first dance:

• My Heart Will Go On (Titanic soundtrack) by Celine Dion … it is indeed about endless love but after the other person has died.

• Lady in Red (Soundtrack) by Chris De Burgh is really about a prostitute. In a real life story of the 1930’s, this was the color worn by a prostitute when she went to the movies with her “date” (a dangerous criminal named John Herbert Dillinger ) to help police identify/capture him leading to his death.

• Every Breath You Take by Sting seems very ‘stalkerish’ if you really listen to the words.

Although optional, many couples have other dances as part of their wedding reception and it is therefore equally important that these song selections be appropriate as well. Examples:

The Grand Entrance song:
This song is played when the bridal party and the couple make their “grand entrance” into the reception area. This can be anything from traditional to a non-traditional upbeat song. For some, this leads into the couples first dance.
Father-Daughter song:
As the title suggests, this is the dance between the bride and her father.
The cake cutting song:
This is optional but some couples like to have a song – either another one of “their” songs or an upbeat song.
The song for bouquet and garter tossing:
Again, be sure to select the appropriate song to encourage participation.
The bridal party dance song:
This is usually the last of the formal dance songs before the party begins and includes the entire bridal party.
The last dance song:
This can be the last dance for the night or it can be the last dance song for the bride and groom as they leave the reception while the guest continue to celebrate.

Have fun and select wisely!