Today I want to share with you a little secret: The wedding day is NOT just about the bride and groom. The wedding is also about their FAMILY.
I know, its truly shocking. But, I would almost be as bold to say that if you go into your next wedding with this attitude, I guarantee your business will benefit. On wedding day, and all throughout the process really, you are courting the bride and groom. You are lavishing them with compliments and gifts, and love. Of course you are. You should be and should want to. They are your clients and deserve this and more. However, it is very easy on the actual wedding day to neglect the other people that matter, especially the family. You are so focused on making sure the bride feels pretty, getting shots of the grooms special additions to the day, and making sure your makeup isnt running down your face that you forget that the parents of the Bride and Groom have been preparing their entire children’s lives for this day as well. This is JUST as special to them as it is to the Bride and Groom. Compliment the parents. Smile at them. Make them laugh. Hug on them. They deserve it too. And, after you congratulate the Bride and Groom when they are heading off, be sure to congratulate their parents before you head out as well.
Make friends with the sisters and brothers of the Bride and Groom. Treat them just as special as you would the B&G. You dont need to dote on them as much as you would with your clients, but they still deserve it. Same thing with the best friend of the Bride, or the childhood friend/brother of the Groom. These people matter.
Now, doing this genuinely is the whole point, because these people deserve it. But, there are other benefits. These are the key people the Bride and Groom depend on in life and they will remember how you treated them on wedding day and they will tell the B&G. Big points to you for making them feel awesome!
And even further down the “chain” be sweet and kind to the extended friends and family. Sure, they may be taking pictures over your shoulder or asking you to take pictures of other things while you are trying to focus on something else, but they are to be valued and treated well. They too will remember how you talk to them and smile at them.
At every wedding, you should be courting the family. The main focus is still your client, and the MOST time should absolutely be spent on them and with them, but dont forget about their surrounding support systems. They matter too. They should be courted too. Someone commented on a post a while ago about a picture of me smiling during family formals. Why was I smiling? Because I was photographing the most important people to the client. I better smile!!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
this is so true! this day is just as important to them. you’re so sweet! thanks for reminding us!
Love this article!! I do the same thing too! Love it!!