Are Client Thank You Gifts Right For Your Wedding Business?
Over the last couple years I’ve seen gift giving become a common practice amongst wedding businesses and I have to admit, I have my concerns about it.
Hear me out, I’m not saying that client gifting should never be a part of your client experience.
If gift giving is truly your love language, then by all means, knock yourself out.
Send me something while you’re at it. 😉
If it’s coming from a place of inauthenticity — simply because you see others doing it, your competitors have, or it looks nice on Instagram — stop and reevaluate.
Don’t do it just for the pretty picture.
I’m afraid that Instagram has glamourized the process of client gifts in the wedding industry.
You know those beautiful accounts, with thousands of followers, who’ve never posted anything less than jaw-dropping. They’re making us think that we should all be sending elaborate and beautiful gift boxes or treats to our clients. And also, spending quite a bit on it. That works for them. They decided it’s an important part of their process and brand.
There is no textbook that says client gifting must be a part of your business process.
Most importantly:
It must be authentic.
In any case, what works for one planner or photographer doesn’t necessarily mean its a good business practice for you. Not to mention, a fit for your budget.
Those costs add up quickly, and really, our clients should hire us because they believe in us, our value, and our ability to get the job done. Not because they want the pretty present that you storied on Instagram or promoted as a bonus with your services. Let it be a surprise, or the icing on the cake after you knock their wedding out of the park.
I used to joke that my gift was a job well done.
HOW & WHEN TO GIFT WEDDING CLIENTS
There has definitely been cases where I felt inspired to gift my wedding planning and business coaching clients with gifts. But I’ve never made this an expected part of my business model. And I always gave in relation to their investment.
If a client is booking your least expensive package, and you feel compelled to give them a gift, make sure it’s relative to their investment. I wouldn’t give a month-of coordination or event management client the same item as a full planning client. Likewise, if I were a photographer, I wouldn’t gift the same extravagant present to a client who only booked a mini session compared to a 10-hour wedding coverage investment.
Not to mention, what if you were to gift a client an expensive present during your onboarding experience and they turned out to be an absolute nightmare to work with? For that reason alone, I suggest waiting until much closer to their wedding.
It’s the thought that counts.
Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note or card. I often wrote well wishes and included a very nice Rifle Paper wedding card in with the rest of the guest envelopes at the wedding.
In the past, I’ve gifted couples “yours & mine” cocktail glasses from Kate Spade, or The Mrs. Box ring boxes to full planning clients.
You can always start simple. Even something small like a $15 Starbucks card and suggest they make a date out of it, would be appreciated and a happy surprise. Don’t feel like you have to break the bank.
HOW TO SET A BUDGET FOR CLIENT GIFTS
In order to set a budget and be consistent with client gifting for your wedding business, I suggest choosing a small percentage.Aim for 1-3%. That might sound low at first, but remember that every dollar you spend on these gifts, is one you can’t pay yourself or invest back in to your wedding business.
Set a budget and stick to it.
For example:
$1000 Event Management x 2% = $20
$5000 Photography Package x 2% = $100
$2500 Floral Proposal x 1% = $25
You could increase those amounts, but why should you? They’re paying you to do a job or provide a specific service for their wedding, not for gifts and bonuses.
Client gifting is a way that you can undersell and overdeliver, but like I said before, do it because it feels right and authentic.
CLIENT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR WEDDING BUSINESS
Alright, you’ve set a budget for client gifting, now how about some ideas?
Whenever possible, personalize the gift with monograms, their names, or to their wedding.
For example, if they’re getting married at a vineyard, how about a bottle of wine from their venue to celebrate on their one-month anniversary, or a gift certificate for a tasting there. Or, if the couple has bought a new home close to the wedding, how about a cute new doormat?
$10+ GIFT IDEAS
nail polish in a perfect wedding day colour
cupcakes or macarons to celebrate a planning milestone
popcorn & iTunes gift card for movie night
gift card for a simple date, like Starbucks
$25+ GIFT IDEAS
champagne gummy bears
nice bottle of wine
a beautiful picture frame with their wedding or engagement photo
a personalized hanger for wedding day
$50+ GIFT IDEAS
passport cover(s) for honeymoon
special cocktail glasses
cigars
a nice robe
$100+ GIFT IDEAS
gift card for a special date, like their first date restaurant
bottle of champagne
heirloom ring box
something from their registry
curated gift box service
