Ive been a wedding planner for a long time. Im the best in the game and Im not about to let a young upstart challenge for my crown. Theres one person who I come up against more and more and its her. Viola. Ive lost a lot of business to her. Im still doing great numbers and growing but I could grow so much faster if she wasnt fishing in my pond.
Who the hell does she think she is? I know this business inside out. There isnt that much to it when youre an expert. Its easy to pinpoint the weak points in any wedding planners business. Hell, theyre the same weak spots as mine and that makes it even easier to take her down. Her assistant didnt want to take my offer but thats okay. Its just one point of attack.
When Im finished, theyll both be crawling to me.
I look at the brochure I took from their booth and start to formulate my plan of attack. I boot up my laptop and am soon on Violas website looking for the information I need. I cant find what Im looking for so I try another angle. I go to the gallery and testimonials.
Bingo! I make notes of the information I am looking for and then close the site.
I pick up the phone and dial Violas office number.
The phone is answered promptly.
Hi, this is Mrs. Anderson.
Yes, Mrs. Anderson. How can I help you? This is Jessica.
The assistant. Were having a party soon for Mr. Andersons office and he asked me about the band that we had at the wedding. I thought Id give you a call and find out if I could contact them to see if theyre available. Would it be possible to give me their number?
Sure, Mrs. Anderson. Id be only too happy to. Hold on while I get the details.
I wait a few moments and then Jessica comes on the line again. Here you go, Mrs. Anderson.
She gives me the contact name and number for Steve from the band called Plastered. I thank her and hang up.
I smile and mentally congratulate myself. Its that easy.
When Steve answers the phone I arrange to meet him to discuss hiring the band for a party.
Steve is already waiting when I enter the coffee shop. He recognizes me from the clothes I told him Id be wearing and waves to me. I cross to the booth and slide in opposite him. I feel his eyes appraise me as I sit down. Ive worn a short skirt and a tight, white cotton blouse that accentuates my breasts. Its unbuttoned just far enough to reveal a glimpse of my bra which is visible through the soft material of the blouse anyway. I shake Steves hand.
How can I help you? Steve asks.
I have a confession, Steve, I reply conspiratorially.
Whats that? Steve asks, intrigued.
Well, when I said I need a band for a party, I wasnt being totally honest. Id like your band to play for all my parties unless my clients insist otherwise.
All your parties? Steve frowns. I dont understand.
Im a wedding planner, just like Viola who you work with regularly.
Steve nods as the penny drops. Well, you know we go back a long way. I mean Id be happy to support you when you have a wedding if we dont have a wedding booked with Viola.
I smile and shake my head. I thought youd say that Steve but I have to say Im looking for a reversal of that proposed arrangement. You play all my weddings and fit her in where you can. Ill pay you one and a half times what she pays you per wedding.
Steve looks at me and says nothing. I can tell his mind is working overtime and I can tell where its headed so I cut it off.
This is a one-time deal. Right here, right now. Theres no going to Viola and bargaining with her. Im not into horse-trading.
Well, what about if I call the band and discuss it with them? Steve asks.
Why would they care? A gigs a gig. Doesnt matter who you play for or where you play. Right?
Steve sighs. Hes tempted but his loyalty is still to Viola. Whens the first gig?
Saturday.
Saturday? Thats two days away!
And?
Were booked for a wedding with Viola. We cant just drop her at such short notice. Its not ethical.
Look, I say hardening my tone. You guys have a good name out there. Its why I came to you first. But youre not the only band. Ill say this too, and I dont mean to sound like Im bragging but when it comes to wedding planners, I. Am. The. Best. So, you can decide if youre going to be loyal to number two or three or whatever the hell Viola is, or you can come along with me. Success breeds success. You know that as well as I do.
Steve ponders my words. I can tell hes not happy. Then he shakes his head. We can start next week. Not this weekend. I just cant do that to Viola or her client.
I look at Steve. Hes serious. Well, I guess Ill have to find another band then, I say and begin to gather my things to leave.
No deal? Steve asks.
I offered you a deal, I say firmly.
A deals only a deal where both parties are happy
I pause. And what wouldnt make you happy about the deal? One weekend? One weekend when you could be earning one and a half times what you get now every weekend from now on?
You know, I think this isnt so much as our band being paid more as it is a personal issue between you and Viola. Am I right? Because if thats the case, the band isnt going to make a difference. If you dont have what she offers shes always going to be one ahead of you
and pray tell me, Steve, what does she have that I dont have?
Aside from the band, shes got a great assistant
got one, I say.
rapport with clients
Got it, I add.
Wedding Whisperer
A what? I ask frowning.
Steve smiles. See. Youre not close to what she offers.
I ignore his remark. What is a Wedding Whisperer?
A person who encourages the bride or groom to work through their fear of getting married at the last minute. You know, cold feet? He makes inverted commas in the air with his fingers.
I sit back. Oh, that! Who doesnt have that? I lie. I just dont call it that.
Well, I have to be going. Its been a pleasure to meet you but I guess we wont be doing business, Steve says.
Well, remember I did try to help.
Thank you for that, Steve says as I stand. He stands too and we shake hands. I leave the coffee shop and he sits down again and takes out his cellphone. I know hes going to try to horse trade anyway. Maybe Ill let him do it. Ill see how I feel later. Right now, Im more interested in the wedding whisperer concept that he mentioned to me.
I think of the cancellations Ive had when the wedding has been about to kick off in church. Not many but it happens. Its ingenious and Im even more adamant to shut Violas business down than before.
VIOLA
Steve, this is really difficult. I cant just increase the bands fee. You know this wedding was booked months ago. I calculated the fee based on what I was paying you then. Whoever is offering you this, obviously has the budget to pay what theyre offering.