By Holly Perrier, WPICC, CWD of Perrier Planning Inc.
Setting boundaries for you wedding planning business can be tricky: from setting work hours, to deciding what your packages include and don’t include. It is easy to fall into the routine of saying yes to all client requests, but I am here to advise you on saying no to certain tasks. Setting proper boundaries will help prevent wedding season burnout and it will help protect your business legally. Liability is important – let’s dive into the discussion. When I talk about liability issues, I am referencing actions that contain a legal or regulatory risk or obligation.
Tasks to Avoid
- Touching or handling any type of medication or prescriptions *note that you can place Advil or Tylenol bottles down on the table and people can pick up and dispense the headache/pain medication themselves (just don’t hand it to them directly)
- Touching or handling any of the couples’ cards or gifts
- Holding onto the rings before the ceremony
- Looking after pets during the ceremony or reception
- Serving food or bussing guest’s glasses or plates
- Looking after the music (specifically pressing play/stop on Apple or Spotify playlist’s)
- Driving the wedding party or couple in your vehicle
- Legally Cover Your Business Get business insurance for your company! Hub International is the WPIC recommended company (which I use too). *If you are a WPIC Alumni, please contact the WPIC office to get the special link to apply for the special rate.
Charge For Mileage & Travel
It’s common practice to add travel costs to your contract. Don’t forget to add a phrase that covers you if locations change. For example, see the clause below.
“Should the venue/location change and additional travel be required, the client will be responsible for travel expenses (mileage, accommodation, per diem) for the staff involved.”
Set Business Hours
This is a hard one to implement, but remember you are not open or available 24/7. Wedding season can get hectic, however I still put boundaries in place: I never book client or vendor meetings later than 8:30pm and I don’t answer emails after 7:00pm.
Do you have anything else that you think I should add, let me know below in the comments.
Holly Perrier, WPICC, CWD
Holly is the owner of Perrier Planning Inc. – an eco-conscious wedding and event planning company – that has branch locations in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Perrier Planning aims to make the most important events in their clients’ lives as memorable and enjoyable as possible while taking the time to drastically lower their event’s carbon footprint. Holly currently lives in Alberta with her fiancé and two dogs, and travels to Toronto and Vancouver several times a year.
I’m an officiant as well as a Wedding Planner. I’ve had a few Elopements, that obviously the couple wouldn’t hire a DJ for. I have played their music for them, such as entrance music for ceremony, but never for a reception. Should this not be done at all? Just inquiring.
Hi Colleen, please see this link for further explanation: https://www.socan.com/music-licensees/
For a place of business where the music is for the enjoyment of guests or customers you would need a Socan license. If it’s for personal use it is not.