The Wedding Planner
Sinead should go into partnership with Michelle as a wedding planner. But her resources of imagination, ingenuity and tact would probably be all used up on managing Michelle. Maybe better Sinead just take over the business.
On Friday, realizing that the dream wedding was making life nightmarish for Beth and Kirk, Sinead and Ches took over the planning. First they had to sell the clients on their ideas. “Upcycling” and “shabby chic” may be synonyms for “on the cheap” as Beth suspects, so persuading her that it is the way to go is the first challenge. Forget the affordability, go for it being fashionable.
First show a merchandise sample. Sinead does this with the fabric-covered jam jars holding fresh flowers. Then pull out the big names. Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet and, the Holy Grail of tackiness, Kim Kardashian. How boring and old-school is Tracy Barlow being, splashing the money around on a “traditional” wedding! That makes Beth look at the jam jar and bulletin board in a different light. If “vintage” is good enough for the Kardashians, with all their money and lack of taste, it’s good enough for Beth.
Take notes, Michelle
Michelle should have been there, taking notes. This is how you can be a wedding planner for all people and all budgets. From the outset, Michelle knew Beth and Kirk’s budget constraints. So she crossed her arms, looked down her nose and said they couldn’t afford her services. She then proceeded to book the outrageously expensive place and accoutrements that Beth wanted.
She spent a lot of time and effort, as she pointed out ungraciously when they told her they were cancelling the wedding she had planned. My husband defended Michelle, saying she’s making mistakes common to anyone starting a business. Doing too much without verifying that the money, and commitment, to pay for it are there. Not knowing how to redirect an obstinate client’s wishes to what is more realistic and probably more like what they want.
Sinead figured it out pretty quickly. Yes, she has the advantage of knowing Beth. But I would think a major part of a wedding planner’s job is to get to know the clients well. Beth and Kirk are not exactly strangers to Michelle.
However, Michelle has not shown the creative imagination or psychological insight needed to think of how to make their dream wedding come true. Just as importantly, have it come true on their real-life budget. Sinead has. She has also shown the diplomatic skills needed to make her plans become the bride’s dream.
Below, thanks to Youtube, is Deirdre’s lesson on making trifle, in case you want to see it again. Jelly shouldn’t run, it should wobble.
