“Decision Challenged Brides”
These brides are simply overwhelmed by the many decisions that need to be made for a wedding. Psychologists call it decision fatique. They just have so much going on. For most brides, getting married is the first event they have had to plan. And they get so much input from family and friends that it can be hard for them to find their own voice. Or… they don’t want to take responsibility for their decision, so they want you to decide for them. Or the most frustrating bride is the one who wants you to make the changes so they can see if they like it or not. And if they don’t like the changes, they get frustrated at paying extra, or perhaps you can’t undo the changes at all. Grrrr. You can make suggestions, but leave the final decision to the bride. If they can’t decide, say “Let me work on your hem and side seams. Think over the neckline change out and have a solid decision by our next fitting.”
Other brides reevaluate every decision, sort of second guessing themselves. They change their minds a day after the fitting and text their new idea about how they want this or that done. Some brides have a hard time visualizing change outs. And after the work is done, they realize it doesn’t look like they thought it would.
All of the above situations can lead a bride and you to frustration. You should always carefully go through your work order at the original fitting and have them sign it. Your best option when bride indecisiveness happens is to sympathize with the bride and ask how you can best help. Kindly direct them back to making a solid decision and then write it down. If they change their mind after the first fitting, make sure they know how much more this will cost. Definitely charge them for any extra work, and make sure they are aware of that extra charge before they make a change order. Have the bride initial the changes and extra cost on your work order.
As far as your own personal sanity, realize that this is nothing personal about you or your work. You are just doing more work. As long as they are extremely aware that they are paying more, it’s just another work order, as you say something like “I am happy to do this extra work, as long as you are happy to pay me for the extra work. I want this dress to be exactly how you want it. The added cost is (blank). Do you agree with the additional cost? Please initial here on my work order. Thanks so much.” Try not to let their stress rub off on you.
