This week we will be focusing the spotlight on one of our own here at Chair Décor. We decided to interview our account manager, Alison. We are excited to share with you her experience in the industry, and little a bit about being a client of Chair Décor for her own wedding a year ago and how she became the newest member of our team here.
Did you work for Chair Decor before getting married? How long have you worked for Chair Decor?
Alison: No. [And its been] 4 Months
As a client, how did you like CD?
Alison: I loved it, I made an appointment with Liz to come in to see the linen that I had seen at a previous wedding. Being that is was a new product and I was excited to see it, Liz had everything ready to go for my appointment. The experience at my appointment provided me with complete peace of mind. I was able to bring my centrepiece and do a complete set-up to make sure I was happy with all my choices. With Liz’s help, I was able to see everything come together instead of just imagining it in my head! Since Chair Décor is a preferred vendor at Redcrest, Liz was familiar with the venue and was able to really help complete my order. She knew the sizing of all the tables and everything was delivered seamlessly before set-up. I truly think it was a beautiful wedding and to this day, I still like the linen I picked!
And do you think being a client before you worked here has helped with your experience when working with other clients?
A: Yes because I know the process of when a customer comes in with an inquiry, I know how the process goes from start to finish. I know the products that are available based on what I’ve seen coming through.
How did you go from being a client to working at Chair Décor?
A: Long story short, I had worked in that industry for 8 years, which a long time for an event coordinator to work at one venue, and I was looking to do something new! I definitely knew I wanted to stay in the industry, I am one of those crazy people, and it turned out Liz was looking to fill a mat leave position. Since Liz was connected with me through work, she reached out and offered me the position!
Are there significant differences between being a client and working for Chair Décor?
A: I think it’s safe to say, I didn’t know there was so much to know about linens! I definitely feel from a client perspective, I had a lack of knowledge but as I get more comfortable here, I am becoming the expert! It is cool to now be educating the client on all the options we have and really have an impact what they want their wedding to look like.
How long have you worked in the wedding industry?
A: A short 10 years in the industry
Did you start out in wedding coordinating, and what is wedding coordinating for those who don’t know?
A: Started off serving then got promoted, promoted, promoted!
Wedding coordinating (in not too many words) is dealing with the wedding couple one on one. You work at collecting all their wedding details from a venue perspective and following those details through for their wedding.
So are their specific kind of wants and needs for their wedding?
A: Yes so like menu, times, location, linens… and many, many more. Each client is different too! So as much as my questions might be the same, their answers, frequently, are different.
Did you know you always wanted work in the wedding industry or did you fall into it through being promoted?
A: Yeah, I always knew I wanted to be in the wedding industry, I went looking for a job that’s kept me in the industry. Now I have more knowledge in the industry because I’m coming from all these different perspectives.
You said you worked for another company before working here, how do they compare to CD, I’m assuming they are different spectrums in the same industry?
A: So they are a venue, therefore this is a venue perspective. So they multiple clients in a week vs. we deal with like 52 wedding between both properties. Here, I’ll deal with more weddings, with different venues but way less involved with the client’s details.
What would you say is the best part about working for Chair décor?
A: The Linens! I love the linens! Meeting everyone, co-workers, all the female power here. I do feel like I am learning more, whereas at cardinal like at 8 years I left also because there was no more room for me to grow. Here I’m learning constantly all the time. Learning new things about different venues, different planners, different trends.
What are some challenges you’ve faced working for CD?
A: Knowing all the linens names and the quantities and those are the two main challenges. Trying to learn all 160 of them.
Once again for more ideas on weddings and more of Alison and her work at CD follow @chairdecor on Instagram, and check out the weekly polls and vote for your favourite looks.
