Hidden Trap #4: Failure to Communicate
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“Miscommunication, poor communication, or no communication can create incredible problems.”
-- Zig Ziglar
One time the clergy didn't show up until the bride’s mother called him from puttering in his garden. (“Oh. I thought the wedding was next Saturday!”) Another time the organist didn’t show... at all. (Very quiet ceremony.) A limo driver couldn’t find the bride’s house and didn’t have the phone number with him. (The case of the lost loser.) And what about the tuxes that didn’t fit or had missing pieces? These are just a random sampling of scenarios I witnessed.
These events had one thing in common: There was a failure to communicate. Any of them could have been avoided by a confirmation call, where someone reviewed the details of the agreement with the vendor, item by mundane item. The tuxes? If the men had tried on the tuxes at the formalwear shop two or more days prior, that one would have had a happier ending. (Or at least verify sizes on the phone, man-by-man and size-by-size.) That’s communication, too.
Another term for confirming each detail is uncommon sense. (Because common sense isn't common.)
If you are the one planning the wedding, communication is your responsibility. And if you can’t do it, then find a volunteer. But someone needs to ensure that everyone knows what to do right down to the last detail.
Example: You call the florist to verify details. You hear them say, “Delivery at 2 PM.” The ceremony is at 2PM! Good thing you were listening carefully!
Even the most intimate wedding requires nearly the same amount of planning as the extravaganzas.
Think Murphy’s Law: If something can go wrong, it probably will. But ol’ Murph doesn’t stand much of a chance of showing up at your wedding if you’re being proactive and looking for things that might go wrong. (This isn't negative thinking, but rather a high form of positive thinking that industry leaders use all the time.)
Now, suppose you do find that someone has the wrong info. Don’t assign blame; just be glad you caught it in time and nobody got hurt.
-- Zig Ziglar
One time the clergy didn't show up until the bride’s mother called him from puttering in his garden. (“Oh. I thought the wedding was next Saturday!”) Another time the organist didn’t show... at all. (Very quiet ceremony.) A limo driver couldn’t find the bride’s house and didn’t have the phone number with him. (The case of the lost loser.) And what about the tuxes that didn’t fit or had missing pieces? These are just a random sampling of scenarios I witnessed.
These events had one thing in common: There was a failure to communicate. Any of them could have been avoided by a confirmation call, where someone reviewed the details of the agreement with the vendor, item by mundane item. The tuxes? If the men had tried on the tuxes at the formalwear shop two or more days prior, that one would have had a happier ending. (Or at least verify sizes on the phone, man-by-man and size-by-size.) That’s communication, too.
Another term for confirming each detail is uncommon sense. (Because common sense isn't common.)
If you are the one planning the wedding, communication is your responsibility. And if you can’t do it, then find a volunteer. But someone needs to ensure that everyone knows what to do right down to the last detail.
Example: You call the florist to verify details. You hear them say, “Delivery at 2 PM.” The ceremony is at 2PM! Good thing you were listening carefully!
Even the most intimate wedding requires nearly the same amount of planning as the extravaganzas.
Think Murphy’s Law: If something can go wrong, it probably will. But ol’ Murph doesn’t stand much of a chance of showing up at your wedding if you’re being proactive and looking for things that might go wrong. (This isn't negative thinking, but rather a high form of positive thinking that industry leaders use all the time.)
Now, suppose you do find that someone has the wrong info. Don’t assign blame; just be glad you caught it in time and nobody got hurt.
The Creative Approach, llc
Bruce W. Hinson, Member, Professional Photographers of America
Photographer/Instructor
Bruce W. Hinson, Member, Professional Photographers of America
Photographer/Instructor