{"id":8589,"date":"2016-03-15T09:48:24","date_gmt":"2016-03-15T14:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/?p=8589"},"modified":"2016-03-15T09:48:24","modified_gmt":"2016-03-15T14:48:24","slug":"is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients","title":{"rendered":"Is It Okay to Befriend Your Event Clients?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s one thing no certificate in event planning can totally prepare you for: the clients! Yes, your event planning course taught you all about conducting consultations, creating event concepts, and managing client expectations. But when it comes down to it, every event client is unique. Quirks, habits, concerns, attitudes\u2026<\/p>\n<p>The people are what make you love your job, but they can also cause some major headaches. We\u2019re not talking about <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/2016\/01\/how-to-be-a-bridezilla\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">event planning nightmares<\/a> today, though. We\u2019re looking at the total opposite\u2014the event clients who are just so cool you want to hang out even when you\u2019re not on the job!<\/p>\n<p>On the one hand, event planning is a social career. If you\u2019re marketing yourself to your dream client base, friendship is natural! On the other hand, there are reasons why doctors aren\u2019t allowed to date their patients. Okay, you\u2019re not a doctor, and you just want to invite your client to your monthly book club, but maybe that professional-personal mix just isn\u2019t a good idea.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s the right call?<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients\/#The_Golden_Rule\" >The Golden Rule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients\/#But_I_love_bonding_with_my_event_clients\" >But I love bonding with my event clients!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients\/#And_after_that\" >And after that?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients\/#What_does_a_%E2%80%9Cprofessional_distance%E2%80%9D_look_like\" >What does a \u201cprofessional distance\u201d look like?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Golden_Rule\"><\/span>The Golden Rule<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to friendship and event planning, all you need is one easy-to-follow rule. Until you\u2019ve completed that cool client\u2019s contract, that certificate in event planning always comes first.<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow: auto\">\n<div class=\"half-1\">\n<p>Especially if you\u2019re in the wedding industry. As a professional wedding and event planner, you\u2019ve got firsthand experience with wedding stress. Brides and grooms need emotional support during the wedding planning process. And since you\u2019re heavily involved from start to finish, sometimes they try to fall back on you.<\/p>\n<p>It sounds harsh, but you have to remember that acting as your event client\u2019s best friend or personal therapist just isn\u2019t part of your contract. Your job is to handle the logistics of planning the wedding, and you can\u2019t do that if you\u2019re constantly on call for listening to emotional rants and delivering inspiring pep talks. That\u2019s time you could be spending on planning work (you know, your actual job)\u2014or on your own personal life. Even the most passionate planner needs some downtime!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"half-2\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"323\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_252243184_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Listening to a distraught client on the phone\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_252243184_ed.jpg 323w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_252243184_ed-215x300.jpg 215w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_I_love_bonding_with_my_event_clients\"><\/span>But I love bonding with my event clients!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Oh, we know\u2014that&#8217;s what draws many planners to the job! But setting boundaries doesn\u2019t mean you have to stay totally disinterested. Chances are, you\u2019ll get to know your client pretty well while you\u2019re working together. You\u2019ll definitely hear about some of their problems, too\u2014why the groom\u2019s aunt absolutely can\u2019t be seated near his best friend, the obligatory problem guest who\u2019s going to be such a pain, or the bride\u2019s frustration at finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses to suit her whole party.<\/p>\n<p>Absolutely be supportive\u2014but until that event is over, know when to draw the line. Aside from stressing you out, acting as your client\u2019s emotional lifejacket during the planning process is sure to lead to disappointment. After all, on the big day you\u2019ll be busy getting the venue set up, making sure the vendors arrive on time, managing last-minute emergencies, and getting people where they need to be. You won\u2019t have time to sit around and hold your stressed-out bride\u2019s hand. Leave that job to her bridesmaids!<\/p>\n<p>Setting boundaries keeps you from getting overloaded with your client\u2019s emotional baggage, but it also helps manage expectations. Right from the start, indicate (politely!) to your clients that you\u2019re their wedding planner\u2014not their best-friend-for-hire.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_314862329_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Event planner meeting a client for a consultation\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_314862329_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_314862329_ed-300x168.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Still not convinced? Check out Caribbean wedding planner Sandy Malone\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/sandy-malone\/why-i-dont-get-friendly_b_1910194.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post<\/a> on why she waits to finish the job before getting friendly with her clients.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_after_that\"><\/span>And after that?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Like we said\u2014you get to know your clients pretty well while you\u2019re working with them. Once that contract is closed, there\u2019s no reason not to keep the friendship going. In fact, it\u2019s not uncommon for wedding and event planners to end up with a few long-term friends who started out as clients.<\/p>\n<p>Just focus on delivering incredible service before you start inviting them to dinner parties. No matter how much you like your client, your initial relationship is always going to be a business one. Your client is paying you to bring your high-quality planning and coordination skills to their event. Part of your client\u2019s experience with you includes how you present yourself\u2014and it\u2019s much easier to keep up that professional reputation if you maintain a little bit of distance!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_334072823_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Friends drinking wine together\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_334072823_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/shutterstock_334072823_ed-300x176.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Keeping that professional distance while you\u2019re working with them can help your event client avoid \u201cplanner withdrawal\u201d after the wedding. Once your clients have set off for their honeymoon, though, there\u2019s nothing wrong with staying in touch and getting to know each other outside of the office.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_a_%E2%80%9Cprofessional_distance%E2%80%9D_look_like\"><\/span>What does a \u201cprofessional distance\u201d look like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Of course, the way you interact with your clients depends on the way you run your business. Sticking with more formal methods of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/2015\/10\/best-practices-for-good-client-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">communication<\/a>\u2014emailing instead of texting, for instance\u2014is one way.<\/p>\n<p>It can also mean politely declining invitations to go out with your event client for lunch or a drink. Unless you\u2019re meeting them for something related to their event, it\u2019s often easiest to avoid getting together in social situations.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, you don\u2019t want to get too distant. Part of what makes a professional wedding and event planner stand out to a client is the personal connection. By getting to know your clients, sending anniversary or holiday cards, and investing some time in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/2014\/12\/network-past-clients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">staying in touch<\/a>, you can build strong professional relationships that will benefit your business!<\/p>\n<h3 align=\"center\"><i>Even with your certificate in event planning, you\u2019ve probably still got questions. Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/2016\/03\/candice-coppola-ask-me-anything\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AMA with QC tutor Candice Coppola<\/a>!<\/i><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever wondered how to handle client friendships while staying professional? We&#8217;ve got the answers!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":8591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,11],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[349],"class_list":["post-8589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-event-planning-tips","category-career"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Is It Okay to Befriend Your Event Clients? - Pointers for Planners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ever meet event clients so cool you know you&#039;d be a perfect friendship match? We cover the basics on balancing the professional and the personal.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/is-it-okay-to-befriend-your-event-clients\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Is It Okay to Befriend Your Event Clients?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ever meet event clients so cool you know you&#039;d be a perfect friendship match? 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