A Behind the Scenes Look at What’s Been Happening at PMP
Title:
A Behind the Scenes Look at What’s Been Happening at PMP
We’re halfway through 2020 (how?!), and this year has been beyond what I could’ve ever imagined in my wildest dreams.
So, how’s it going for you? Well, if you’re wondering what life has been like over here at Pinch Me Planning, I figured it was time to share a little behind the scenes look.
First thing’s first. What’s the latest in the industry?
As you know, this is a super fluid situation. But most people can probably imagine that the wedding industry here in Maine is currently in a bit of disarray given the hit that the hospitality industry has taken because of COVID-19.
Here, we’re taking things day by day. We’re working with our colleagues and industry partners to get our voice heard to the powers that be so we can salvage some of what remains of this 2020 wedding season. We’re also working with our PMP couples daily to help them make the most educated decisions regarding their upcoming events.
Unfortunately, it’s hard when, ultimately, we can’t predict what life will look like month-to-month, and we don’t have any information on what the regulations will be this fall. But we’re doing our absolute best to...
“Embrace the suck.” So, let me have a real talk with you about what I’ve been feeling.
I’m all for being 100% real with you. And I’m not here to sugarcoat this situation. It sucks. That said, I want to have an honest talk with you about my thoughts and feelings surrounding the situation. We have to be willing to weather this crazy 2020 storm to get to the other side.
Easier said than done, though, because I’ve been feeling frustrated. I’m anxious for my team and our clients to get clearer-cut information about what to expect in the next couple of months. On that same note, I’m infuriated by the lack of political leadership in our state—saying one thing and doing another.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m ALL about keeping people safe. But I also know that the vendors I personally work with each day for our 50+ events a year are real experts on how to do just that. However, they don’t get the chance to as Maine remains closed to many out-of-state visitors, which affects the success and livelihood of our industry.
How exactly? The Maine wedding industry brings in close to a billion dollars in revenue to the state every year. That’s a BIG deal. Every day that passes where we can’t help our community is painful. It keeps me up at night, for sure. And I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.
Now, here’s what I’ve learned:
No matter how hard I try, I cannot fully plan my life. At the beginning of the season (pre-COVID), I had multiple plans for each event because I knew I’d be pregnant throughout the summer. Fast forward, and all of our summer weddings are postponed, and none of those plans mattered! I could have never imagined the reason as to why my focus had to shift, but being pregnant has forced me to find ways to remain calm and keep my stress levels low by making time for self-care—sticking to my office hours being the #1 thing.
It’s essential to be confident in who I am as an entrepreneur. It’s PMP’s fourth wedding season. Although we’re still in the early stages, my business acumen is most definitely not. I’ve worked for large corporations that gave me the skillset to set my business apart from others. While this time has been full of emotions, I know that every decision I’ve made has been with nothing but the best intentions for my clients, my staff, and my growing family.
There’s always good that comes with the bad. Although the negative voices always seem to be the loudest, I have had so many uplifting conversations. My clients are amazing and resilient. They’ve rolled with the punches, shown gratitude for the things that matter, and remained focused on their love. I’m thankful for every single one of them.
Optimism remains.
It’s true. It feels better that way. And it’s possible because, for one, the Maine wedding industry has been so inspiring. We’ve moved over 30 weddings, and our vendor partners have been SO accommodating and responsive to make this happen. I’m genuinely impressed with the professionalism everyone has shown. We really are in this together.
Speaking of moving over 30 weddings, it’s led to the jigsaw puzzle currently known as our 2021 schedule. We’re doing our best to accommodate any postponements. Many of our PMP couples have decided to continue with their ceremony this year with an intimate celebration (aka “micro wedding”) and have a big party next year. Personally, I love this option. You still get to celebrate your love in the immediate future, then the pressure is off, and the focus is on the party in 2021!
On that note, we’re still looking to book events with new clients so we can continue to plan more #pinchmemoments. For that reason, we have to double our workload within the same 5-month peak season next year. It’s going to be a busy time, but it’s the hand we’ve been dealt, so we’re going with it!
All that to say, THANK YOU to our PMP couples and fellow vendor friends who are navigating these crazy times with us. You are the real MVPs.
Have questions or looking to have the PMP team help you bring your #pinchmemoment to life?
Contact us today to get answers and more information on our packages!
Photo : The Libbys