Wedding Blog
Did you ever participate in Book-it, the Pizza Hut literacy program? Back in the day, I would read my little heart out for the reward of my very own personal pan pizza. Nummeh nummeh! Get in mah tummeh!
Nowadays (who knew that was all one word? You did if you read M-W.com!), I read for either the pastoral or the relaxation benefits. I started to read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, thinking it would benefit my work life and my business practices. Turns out, this is just a great book for interacting with people, period.
If you are planning a wedding, or ever interact with other human beings, I highly recommend this book.
For the application of wedding planning, I think that the principles outlined by Dale Carnegie could protect you from transforming into a Bridezilla. Seriously (and I know I’m starting to sound like an infomercial now), following the principles in this book will help you to get more of what you want with less stress.
I have a personal testimony now (I promise this is for real the way the Shamwow isn’t!): At work, I tended to be upfront and professional because I thought I was battling the stereotypes that older, retired military males put on young female professionals. I was playing hardball to earn respect. Sometimes I would be stonewalled or ignored. I started using the principle of starting my correspondences with a compliment. The change in responses I started receiving was drastic. I got emails returned to me quickly and positively.
Now, take this principle away from work and turn it on the wedding industry! I really wanted some honest feedback about a particular venue. I had seen the venue featured in a photographer’s blog. What I really wanted was to say, “Do you like the venue?” and for the photog to say yes or no. But that’s not how I went about it. Instead, I emailed the photog and started by saying that I had been following his blog, that I liked the feel of his pictures, and that I especially liked such and such’s wedding with the black and white photo of the cake cutting. I got a great response, and was able to chat with him about the venue and about their photography. In fact, the photographer offered to extend his 2009 prices to me.
Read the book. Practice the principles. Tell me your success stories!
What are some of your tips for successfully communicating with wedding vendors?
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I did Book-It too! I’ve also read How to Win Friends and Influence People, but it wasn’t for me. I can’t sign on to basically telling people what they want to hear and flattering them to keep them happy, which is what I took away from that book. Though I have friends who swear by it!
I did Book-It. Mr Joey and I were just talking about it a few days ago!
LOL, never heard of Book-It! But I DO follow dictionary.com tweets and love learning about words — so props to you for reading mw.com! 
I did book-it!! I loved getting my pizza! I’ll have to look up the book!
Haha… I hadn’t heard of Book-it, but I would have been all over that if I had!
Thanks for the mini book review! I’ve heard other people say good things about that book; I might have to check it out!
@daniellemybelle: I know what you mean. I was skeptical of that approach as well, but in the overall context of what I think the book is saying (basically treating other how you would want to be treated) and it’s focus on client service, I think it’s really valuable to start conversations on a positive note.
OMG, Book-IT! I totally did that in elementary school! I remember being so psyched to get my pizza!
I did Book It too! That was great back in the day! I hear you on the working with military personnel as a young woman. I used to work for a prime contractor for the NNPP, all the work I did pretty much was done on a carrier in Norfolk (well I wasn’t there of course, but all ‘my guys’ were).
It is great the response you get when you find something to talk about with a vendor, I got a deal offered from a photog because we talked about the cats we both rescued!
THanks for the tip, and I so remember Book-It. My brother and I used to have contests on who could read the most books!
We had Book-It here in Cleveland too! I read all the baby-sitter’s club books, LOL!
How to win friends & Influence people is a great book, i highly recommned it as well. I wish I would have been required to read it in high school. Great people skills book.
i did many variations of book-it! including one for a scoop of ice cream at baskin-robbins. the things i’d do for food. lol.
I LOVED book-it. It’s funny because now my daughters are doing it - I feel so old 
This book sounds really good, thanks for the suggestion!
Man I miss Book-It!!!
I will have to pick up that book, I’m always looking for new material!
I did book it, but never read enough to get the pizza :(.
Anyway! Thanks for the tip! Sometimes it’s hard to remember to keep all vendor interactions on a good note. You have to keep you inner bridezilla in check, and remind yourself that “vendors aren’t just here for you” - they’re people too!
I ate way too much pizza as a child because of BookIt! Hilarious! Oh Childhood obesity as a reward for intellectual pursuits.
Great advice Miss Lamb! Thanks Although I’m already married, I think I check this out!
I DEFINITELY participated in Book-It! And have all of the pins … and I’ve been meaning to pick up that book.
Another book you might like is entitled “Boundaries” it’s by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. Also pretty good for understanding and interacting with people!
lol! I got in trouble when I was ohh… maybe 10 or 11. As a punishment my dad grabbed the closest book in his office- how to win friends and influence people and had me read it and do a book report. Mind you I was a pretty advanced reader- I loved that book and started using the tactics on my classmates… lol.
OM NOM NOM! I did book-it! There was also the six flags version for us!
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Miss Lamb, Norfolk
Age and Occupation: 25, Homeland Security Consultant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Graduate Student
Engagement Date: January 2009
Wedding Date: January 2010
Venue: Trinity Presbyterian Church/Harrison Opera House
About Me: I’m a Homeland Security Consultant with a tendency towards pulling office pranks, taking lunch breaks, and drinking Wawa shakes. I’m also an English major with a serious obsession with alliteration and rhymes. While I’m not keeping America safe, I’m training for half marathons and the Escape from Alcatraz swim. Or moving for the third time this year. Or baking. Or wedding crafting. Or crying about wedding planning. All the while, I’m getting myself into Lucille Ball-esque scrapes and making Jim Carey-esque faces. Our big fat Czech/Baptist/Jewish/Italian wedding is a combination of vintage eclectic, DIY, and little spoonful of sugar from our Event Coordinator. It’s going to be a Norfolk flavored wedding with the verve of an only-daughter-blow-out bash!
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