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“And they do.” Was she having an issue with the way I’d conducted business the last few months? I racked my brain but couldn’t think of any problems. I’d taken every job request I’d received.
“I want to offer the wedding arbors you and Ethan do on occasion as a package option.”
“Are you serious?” We’d only done a few of those because they were so time-consuming. “We have a few options in storage that any of the brides can choose.”
“And that’s wonderful, but we’d like to offer a few more custom options. Would you be willing to work with Lily on a few designs?” Once the arch was in place, we worked with Lily to ensure that her flower arrangements worked with the structure.
Gia turned her tablet toward me to flip through several pictures. One had vines that seemed to wrap around the structure, one had flowers etched into the wood, and another was a gazebo-like structure. “Are you and Ethan able to do something like this?”
“I think so. I’ll talk to him about it.” Ethan made furniture, but I was the one who was more skilled with intricate designs. I started by whittling animals out of wood when I was a kid. The entire act of creating something from of a block of wood was exhilarating for me.
Gia’s shoulders lowered slightly. “I just wanted to offer options that other venues don’t.”
“Your business model has always been streamlined packages. Why the custom options?”
“I’ve always offered custom options at a premium, and I want to expand the offerings. It never hurts to have a few larger weddings each year. The newer planners can tackle the package weddings, and I can take on the more complicated, custom ones.
“I’ve asked each vendor to create a few custom options, but the idea is that the bride and groom can ask and get whatever they want.”
I opened my mouth to respond because I wasn’t sure I had the skills to doanything someone would want with wood, but Gia continued. “I get that we might not always be able to meet those needs, due to skill and time constraints. But I think if we have a few options like these in storage, they could pick one of them and still feel like they’re getting something custom-made.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“You built the gazebo on Lily’s property, but I’m wondering if you could create one that’s more mobile that we could use at locations that don’t have one.”
“I don’t see why not. We would just need to use lighter wood.”
“Maybe even vinyl?”
Impressed she was aware of the options, I said, “Let me research the available options for vinyl and work with Ethan on a few custom wooden structures, and I’ll send you the information.
“Everly mentioned that you’re worried about competition from other wedding venues. Are you really concerned?” I loved talking business with others who were in a similar situation to me.
Gia frowned. “I’m always aware of the competition. I’d be an idiot to discount them.”
“But each venue and planner offer something unique. I think you’ve built a good reputation for yourself here in Annapolis.” I didn’t think she had anything to worry about it, but she probably saw things differently.
“I appreciate you saying that.”
I sensed from the set of her shoulders and the grim line of her lips that she wasn’t convinced. She was a competitive person, and no matter how successful she was, she was probably trying to come out on top or prove something to herself or maybe even her parents. They owned the pizza parlor in town, and her brothers ran it alongside them. Maybe they wanted her to do the same, and she’d defied them by opening a different business.
I understood the pressure that parents could put on you, but mine had always encouraged me to follow my dreams. When I explained how I was doing it for an easier schedule for my daughter, they supported me. Especially in the beginning when it wasn’t looking great. Back then, I relied on the occasional children’s birthday party. It hadn’t really taken off until Gia was on the scene. I was grateful for the opportunities she provided and for the steady business.
Gia turned as if she was finished speaking with me. When she rounded her desk, she said, “That reminds me. We have a few rules that we like to follow. I thought I’d mention them to you since you’re a part of this, too.”
“What’s that?” I asked, my mind already racing with the possibilities for arbors and other pieces we could incorporate into the ceremonies. Maybe pedestals for flower arrangements.
Gia opened a flat-looking drawer with a piece of paper taped to it. It was a list of sorts. “Take a look at these and let me know if you have any questions.”
I took the proffered list from her, reading quickly through it, then slowing down when I saw what they were. Don’t sleep with a member of the wedding party? Was this a joke? Chuckling, I said, “Are you serious about this?”
Gia sighed. “The idea is that we’re professionals. It doesn’t look good for my employees or the contractors to be sleeping with members of the wedding party or other vendors. I don’t want to get that reputation.”
“I get that we’re professionals, and I would never sleep with a member of the wedding party.”
“Good. Then we understand each other.”
I’d argue that I was a separate business and wasn’t bound by these rules. Besides, she paid for my priority, not my exclusivity. “Don’t sleep with the other vendors?”
