5 ways to operate like Buckingham Palace and wow your customers
Last Sunday, I took a trip to the big smoke. Forever a Royalist I naturally booked tickets to view the coronation exhibition that’s displayed inside King Charles’s official London residence, Buckingham Palace. It’s all about the details and the experience did not disappoint! Here are five take-homes that you can use when running your own wedding venue. Learn how to make your guests feel like kings and queens at your very own palace!
Communication is key
Now, you’re not going to have airport style security system on arrival or be inviting in thousands of guests at once but you will still require slick communication. As soon as we arrived we knew the rules, we knew where to head, we were briefed and it felt good. There were even screens talking about the garden cafe and ice-creams which was great for upselling.
Take Home - Whether it be prior to the wedding or event via electronic means or on the day itself, make sure that anyone stepping inside your property knows what to do, where to head and what to expect. Through the use of directional signage or staff prompts.
Meet & Greet
At every twist and turn we were greeted with a warm welcome, a hello, a smile and at the end a goodbye. This really gave all the guests a feeling of warmth.
Take Home - Train your staff to welcome guests properly. Make them feel welcome. It’s courteous and makes such a difference.
Fabulous Facilities
From the poshest portaloos I’ve ever seen, a light and airy garden cafe, fully stocked gift shop, free audio tour and sweet ice cream carts, the palace’s facilities were all impeccable.
Take Home - Provide great facilities whether this be a fully stocked bar, leisure facilities or beautifully appointed bedrooms.
Perfect Partners
The palace couldn’t operate without working with top partners. From the tech company that supplied the audio tour, the ice cream supplier (delicious Marshfields), the food suppliers to the cafe, the abundance of gifts and keepsakes in the shops, the loo provider and marquee company who created the pop-up cafe. They all helped to create an experience to the guests.
Take Home - Work with top quality suppliers who’ll enhance your offering. Take a look at your list today and make those connections work for you.
Squeaky Clean
It was abundantly clear that every effort had gone in to making the public spaces of the Palace exceptionally clean and tidy. There was no litter, no cobwebs, no dust - just immaculately presented at all times. That’s what you expect at a Royal Palace right, first impressions count for so much. It’s exactly what your venue should strive for, that attention to detail is so important!
Take Home - Keep your venue impeccably clean and tidy at all times. Whether this be for an initial viewing, further visits or the day itself.
All images used have been taken from the Royal Collection Trust website.
So there we have it, five take homes to ensure you implement that make ALL the difference within your operations. If you’d like more help in ensuring your venue is on it’s ‘a-game’, surprising and delighting guests at every twist and turn. Do come and join The Wedding Venue Members’ Club or contact me to find out more about my one to one consultancy.