It’s engagement season and everywhere you turn, there are advertisements for everything “wedding” related. It is very striking how similar handling and executing the public relations and planning for client events and planning a wedding are, and this blog highlights some fun similarities that I’ve found.
Its engagement season, and everywhere you turn, there are advertisements for photographers to florists to venues and everything else “wedding” related. These ads are particularly sticking out to me because I happen to be planning my own wedding. While most brides who are not in the public relations and event planning field get overwhelmed and can’t wait to get the meetings and planning over with, I love every second of it. Most likely, it is because it’s very much aligned with what I have been doing every day for the last 8 years. It is very striking how similar handling and executing the public relations and planning for client events and planning a wedding are, and here are some fun similarities that I’ve found:
- List building– Whether in PR or wedding planning, it is critical that while list building, there is no stone left unturned to make sure all the correct contacts are on there. You will utilize every personal connection possible, including mom and dad, Facebook, Twitter, Google and even the neighbor next door to make sure everyone is accounted for. One missed, important contact can cause a world of problems.
- Making sure all invitations are titled accurately, addressed appropriately and delivered in time. Nothing sends the wrong message quite as badly as a mislabeled invitation.
- Mining databases and researching the perfect fit for your story. There are hundreds of locations, photographers, videographers and vendors out there- but are they the right fit for your story? Will they capture the moment and allow you to share your event in the best way possible?
- Quotes, quotes, quotes. Do your final selected vendors fit in your budget? You must determine what is important to splurge and save on- treating your budget as if it were your own money (and when planning a wedding, it most likely is your own money).
- You want to be the first and most relevant story for that date. In PR and in wedding planning, there are multiple events on your special event day. You want to be the most persuasive and informative so you secure that key vendor (or press person) to want to cover your special day.
- Calls, emails, meetings, texts, faxes and more to be sure all of the details are just right. This event needs to be perfect, and you will go to any length to make sure all of the details are confirmed and rolling.
- Scheduling– One of the critical, day-of details, is hoping everything and everyone show up on time and and it all goes smoothly. One missed deadline or timeline inaccuracy could change the tone of the entire event.
- Personalities, personalities, personalities. There are bound to be meltdowns, and whether it’s a family member meltdown or a press snafu, these relationships are important and must be handled in the most calm, professional and sensitive manner possible.
- Creativity is key. With the popularity of social media raising the bar for creativity and thinking outside the box, it’s important to follow trends to ensure your event is fun and memorable.
- Rain or shine, suck it up. Your event is happening as scheduled regardless a common cold, traffic or any of Mother Nature’s surprises. Don’t worry about what you can’t control and make the best of what you’ve put all of your hard work into.
