Wedding Planner Magazine 05062013

Transcription

A publication inspired by the
Association of Bridal Consultants
May/June 2013 Volume 3 Issue 2
the publication for wedding planners, professionals, and designers
Beyond the Ballroom 8
Catering Needs for Tented Weddings 13
A Minute With Matthew Robbins 19
The Wedding Not-So Confidential 22
Get Lighting Right 24
A party
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CONTRIBUTORS
Tonia Adleta, PBC™, is the owner and lead planner of
Aribella Events, an award-winning wedding and eventplanning boutique with a design division in the Philadelphia
area. When not working, planning stylized shoots, consuming
coffee, or playing with her two kids, she’s likely plotting the
acquisition of the next stamp in her passport.
Boca Raton Resort & Club
The Ritz-Carlton
Create a wedding day memory to last a lifetime.
At America’s First Resort Destination®,
couples have stayed, played and exchanged vows
for more than100 years
…now it’s your turn.
Contact our Destination Wedding Specialist
at 561-233-3057 or email
[email protected]
PalmBeachFL.com/weddings
Cate Buscher planned weddings for six years before joining
Putting on the Ritz Catering, with locations in Laurel and
Savage, Md., as an off-premise event specialist. She is the current vice president of the Baltimore Chapter of the National
Association for Catering and Events and loves this industry.
Meghan Ely is the owner of the wedding marketing and PR
firm OFD Consulting. She is a frequent contributor to industry
magazines and blogs, a highly sought-after speaker, and a
proud member of the Association of Bridal Consultants.
Elise Enloe, MBC™, is the vice president of North American
Operations and director of education for the Association
of Bridal Consultants as well as the owner of Attention to
Details Weddings and Events in Oviedo and Orlando, Fla.
Cris Joseph, event rental consultant at Classic Party Rentals,
has more than 20 years of experience in the special event
field and specializes in creating events “beyond the ballroom.”
Cris loves taking a parking lot, backyard, or estate lawn and
transforming it into a one-of-a-kind wedding venue that is
customized to the bride and groom’s specific tastes. The “Miss Dorothy” Heart Award
Deadline is August 15, 2013
The Miss Dorothy Penner Heart Award for Passion and
Excellence to the Wedding Industry is the only award
presented by the Association of Bridal Consultants. It
honors a member who has demonstrated a “passion
for the wedding industry.” Members are nominated by
their peers and are judged by the Miss Dorothy committee. The winner will be announced at the Business
of Brides Conference in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The “Miss Dorothy” Scholarship
Deadline is July 31, 2013
This scholarship is for Novice members only. It allows
them to attend this year’s ABC Business of Brides Annual
Conference in West Palm Beach, Fla. The winner will
be notified on Sept. 1, 2013, and will be announced at
the conference. The award must be used for the 2013
conference.
Download both applications today at www.BridalAssn.com.
The Brazilian Court Hotel
4
Wedding Planner Magazine
The Breakers
courtesy of edward griffn, MWV™
© Amanda Temple Photography
© Mi Boda Màgica
8
Table of Contents
16
24
Features
Beyond the Ballroom—Tented Weddings Offer
Groundbreaking Venues..............................................................................................8
Planners get free rein on creativity with tented weddings, which allow
them to create a venue from the ground up. For a successful event,
tented professionals help navigate the many requirements, options, and
details critical to tented wedding success.
Columns
Consider Catering—A Pinch of This a Dash of That Could Save the Day
for Tented Weddings...................................................................................................13
Prep space, proximity, and power needs are just a few of the details
critical to the success of a tented wedding from the caterer’s perspective. Cate Buscher, National Association of Catering and Events, tells you
how to anticipate these needs to prevent last-minute problems.
A Minute With Matthew: Advice and Insight From Wedding Pro
Matthew Robbins......................................................................................................... 19
Get wedding planning tips and advice in this one-on-one interview with
Matthew Robbins, a contributing editor for Martha Stewart Weddings
and owner of Matthew Robbins Design. Robbins will be a keynote
speaker at the Association of Bridal Consultants Business of Brides
Conference in November.
Master Profile: Mary Charmoli, MBC™...................................................................21
Departments
International: Wedding Crasher Provides Glimpse Into Brazil’s
Wedding Scene...............................................................................................................15
Tonia Adleta, PBC™, Aribella Events, gives you a glimpse into the customs
and culture of Brazilian weddings with her experience as a wedding
crasher guided by one of Brazil’s premier photographers.
Real Wedding—Wisconsin........................................................................................26
Is two better than one? Certainly for this couple who celebrated with
two events—a small, natural lighting ceremony and intimate reception
and a larger, 1940s themed reception days later.
Real Wedding—Indiana..............................................................................................27
If it had been held in September, this outdoor wedding would have felt
like A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Regardless, the casual, eclectic charm
of this event, which almost didn’t happen due to heavy rains, lent a
dreamlike feel.
Industry Best Practices...............................................................................................29
Techno-Tidbits: How do you put your iPad to work for you?
Business Basics: The Wedding Not-So Confidential: How to Successfully
Discuss Pricing With Clients.....................................................................................22
Many are familiar with Alan Berg’s public response to the 20/20 “Wedding
Confidential.” In this companion piece, Berg shares his tips for how to address the issue of wedding pricing—both your company’s and the industry’s.
Ask the Experts..............................................................................................................23
Wedding Planner Magazine readers pose their pressing industry-related
questions, and our advisory group has the answers.
ABC Member Insight—Edward L. Griffin, MWV™, The Wedding DJs/
Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc................................................................................24
What’s the best way to make your event shine? Discover the latest tips
and trends in event lighting.
Let’s Talk Education: ABC’s Seminar Series One, Two, and Three.............28
Learn more about the Association of Bridal Consultant’s revamped
education series in this review of the World of Wedding Planning, Let
Your Business Blossom, and Rehearsal to Reception Rx.
In Every Issue
Contributors..................................................................................................................... 4
Editor’s/Publishers’ Letter.......................................................................................... 7
President’s Letter............................................................................................................ 7
ABC Meetings & News................................................................................................ 16
Advertisers Index.........................................................................................................30
5
Editor Beth Erickson
Creative Director Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™
Art Designer Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™
Writers Tonia Adleta, PBC™
Alan Berg
Cate Buscher
Meghan Ely
Elise Enloe, MBC™
Cris Joseph
Proofreader Kim Seidel
PhotographersAmanda Temple Photography
Apropos Photography
CoastEventPhotography.com
Daniel McGarrity Photography
Isaac Hernandez
keonikphotography.com
K-Eventus
laviephotography.com
Mi Boda Màgica
Photo by Aubrey
riedelphoto.com
Vintage Spark Photography
Wender Borges of Mega Studio Fotografias
Wedding Planner Magazine, inspired by the Association of
Bridal Consultants, is published bi-monthly by Wedding Planner
Magazine LLC, 400 Main Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601.
Phone: 608.796.2257. Fax: 608.796.2253.
Email: [email protected].
Visit: www.weddingplannermag.com.
Copyright 2013 Wedding Planner Magazine LLC. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without
written permission from the publishers.
Wedding planners are superheroes.
So, too, are other wedding industry professionals who go about their ordinary lives like Clark Kent and Diana
Prince until they are called upon in a moment of need. In those moments, they shuck off their everyday
persona and don the cape and tights to leap tall steeples in a single bound and use their powerful intuition to
solve problems so their clients’ weddings can go off without a hitch.
A bit dramatic? Well, sure, but by effectively unleashing your creativity, navigating the world of weddings,
planning for the unplanned, and solving crises, you often save the day for your clients. That is not an
exaggeration.
Wedding Planner Magazine wants to help. We’ve packed this issue with information you need to do your
work. In our cover feature, Industry Expert Cris Joseph helps you navigate the world of tented weddings and
arms you with a must-have tented wedding checklist. The National Association for Catering and Events shares
its tips about how you can anticipate the needs of caterers for your tented events. And, since all tents require
lighting, Master Wedding Vendor™ Ed Griffin gives you the latest advice.
Stepping outside of the tent, one of our favorite superheroes, Matthew Robbins, shares his wedding planning
advice in an exclusive interview with Wedding Planner Magazine. Alan Berg comes to the rescue with his
“Wedding Not-So Confidential,” in which he talks about how you can successfully respond to questions about
your pricing. So, put on your X-ray vision, and peer through the pages of this issue for these hot topics—and
so much more!
From time-to-time, even superheroes need a little praise to keep the hero fires burning. Don't forget Wedding
Planner Magazine's WEDStyle Awards. Enter at www.WeddingPlannerMag.com. Plus, consider the Miss Dorothy
Heart Award and Scholarship (see p. 4) and registration for the ABC Business of Brides, Nov. 10-12, 2013, in
West Palm Beach, Fla. Visit www.BridalAssn.com. Consider it “continuing education for superheroes” and your
chance to meet Matthew Robbins!
© apropos photography
Publishers Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™
David Wood
letter
Volume 3 Issue 2
May/June 2013
Letter
Wedding Planner Magazine does not necessarily endorse the
claims or contents of advertising or editorial material. Printed in
the U.S.A.
For advertising information: 608.796-2257 or
email [email protected].
Beth Erickson
Editor
[email protected]
A publication inspired by the
May/June 2013 Volume 3 Issue 2
the publication for wedding planners,
Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™
David M. Wood,
Publisher/Creative Director
Publisher/President,
[email protected] Association of Bridal Consultants
professionals, and designers
Cover photo by
CoastEventPhotography.com
Beyond the Ballroom 8
13
Catering Needs for Tented Weddings
A Minute With Matthew Robbins 19
The Wedding Not-So Confidential 22
Get Lighting Right 25
Wedding Planner Magazine ISSN 2160-3286 is published
bi-monthly by Wedding Planner Magazine LLC, 400
Main Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601. Circulation is
4,000. Advertising is accepted; corporate ABC members
receive a discount on rates. Annual subscriptions are
$36. Periodical postage paid at La Crosse, WI and at Eau
Claire, WI. Postmaster send changes to Wedding Planner Magazine, 400 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Next Issue: Destination Weddings - Business Exit
Strategies - Eclectic Rentals - Susan Southerland
Wedding Planner Magazine Advisory Board
International Barbara Diez, ABC™, Barbara Diez Event Planners Master Bridal Consultant™ Mark Kingsdorf, The
Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants Master Bridal Consultant™ Frank J. Andonoplas, Frank Event Design Master
Bridal Consultant™ Tamara Lin Waterman, 2011 Miss Dorothy Heart Award Recipient, Special Moments Master
Wedding Vendor™ Edward L. Griffin, The Wedding DJs/Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc.. Vendor John Goolsby, MEI,
CPV, MPV, Godfather Films Novice Shelly Stone, Signature Events by Shelly Professional Bridal Consultant™ LaToya
Parnell, Something Blue Weddings.
7
Tented Weddings Offer Groundbreaking Venues
production by Merryl Brown
Events, Design Rrivre Works Inc.
© CoastEventPhotography.com
By Cris Joseph, Classic Party Rentals, San diego
8
courtesy of classic party rentals
© Mi Boda Màgica
F E AT U R E
Beyond the Ballroom—
meryll brown
© K-Eventus
Premier W.E.D. © www.keonikphotography.com
feature
As they say, the sky’s the limit on tented weddings.
With the right budget and lead time,
just about any dream can come true.
The request is always the same. “I want a tented wedding, but I
don’t want it to look like a tent.” It’s a little riddle that an experienced
event rental consultant can help you solve. Today’s trends in tenting and
décor allow you to create an extension of the venue or home where the
wedding is taking place. If your client’s home has modern or craftsmantype elements, the tent in the backyard can, too.
the ground up. Although it may seem like a daunting task, having an
experienced event rental consultant as part of your team from the start
will save you a lot of time and headaches and allow you to focus your
attention on other special details.
Customize from the ground up
Wood floors for the entire tented area in the form of Pergo or laminate
Many celebrities understand the allure. Couples like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, create a warm, rich foundation, and there are many different styles and
colors from which to choose. Depending on the budget and build time,
Matthew McConaughey and Camilla Alves, Carrie Underwood and
your clients can have their choice—from reclaimed wood to Brazilian
Mike Fisher have incorporated tenting into their special days. One of
hardwood to high-gloss, bleached pine, and so on. Custom decals and
the most appealing features to celebrities—and the rest of us—is the
ability to create privacy and have complete control over the venue. Along removable adhesives also allow today’s brides and grooms to truly put
their mark on their wedding by creating floors that are one-of-a-kind.
with that control comes the responsibility of creating a venue from
9
event design and producton Merryl Brown Events © Isaac Hernandez
feature
© Mi Boda Màgica
courtesy of classic party rentals
When envisioning flooring, keep the elevation and terrain of the ground addition, some clients are requesting the exterior of the tent also blend
in mind and know that a site survey with a trained event rental consul- with the venue. In those cases, tents are being constructed to resemble
awnings complete with striped tops as well as tents in soft beige and
tant will help determine the feasibility of the style you prefer.
muted colors. Once again, these tents are not as prevalent and before
selling your bride and groom on a specific look involve a tented profesMany of today’s designers also are requesting wood veneers to cover
sional at the inception.
the internal metal tent poles to “warm” up an event and bring inside a
touch of the outdoors. There are also tent types with wood poles instead
of metal and that incorporate sailcloth, a translucent fabric that allows The icing on the cake
natural light to penetrate the space. Many times, the sailcloth tents have A tent ceiling is the perfect “canvas” for a designer’s creativity. A
rounded ends that may fit better into unusual spaces and backyards. In clear-top tent lends itself nicely to an industrial glam theme as well
10
feature
YOUR RENTAL EXPERTS
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as a beach-like, see-the-stars look. A soft, pleated liner can create
a romantic, vintage feel, whereas a custom drop-tufted ceiling can
harken back to Hollywood glam. With costs of printing techniques
decreasing and new manufacturers entering the market, more options are available. Custom-printed Velon and fabrics that you would
normally see in home décor are being used for ceiling treatments,
liners, and wall drapes. Chevrons, wide stripes, and herringbone patterns very popular. Soft champagne and pewter palettes also provide
an elegant backdrop for sexy lighting and are a little more current
than the standard white.
Light up the night
Chandeliers and lighting fixtures are not only functional but can add
another design layer to tented weddings. Just about any lighting fixture
that you see in home décor can be utilized in a tented wedding. Chandeliers are no longer regulated to the big brass monsters of the 1990s,
but can be made of crystals, hand-blown glass, or wrought iron and can
incorporate fabric lampshades in custom-dyed hues. While most tent
structures allow for multiple rigging points, involve your event rental
consultant in the design process to determine feasibility and capacity,
especially when pairing chandeliers and liners, which may restrict rigging to certain areas. Many rental companies also carry LED lights that
work beautifully to create stunning ambience while drawing less power
than standard par lights, an important feature when you are working
with a limited power supply in a tented venue.
Your Tented Wedding Checklist
• Irrigation and underground power/utilities. Make sure your tent company calls a digger’s hotline or underground service alert before staking anything.
• Proximity to buildings and cars. The fire marshal in most areas will need to approve a fire permit. There are regulations on how close you can be to certain objects or structures.
• Overhead power lines, trees, and awnings. These must be clear of the pitch
of the tent.
• The terrain and elevation of the tented site. Most rental companies can even out terrain with adjustable subfloors, but this can become costly.
• Load-in and load-out of the tent as well as the equipment to erect it. Many large structures require forklifts and heavy machinery to install them.
• Long winding driveways. These may make it challenging to get trucks close. Added labor will need to be figured into the pricing.
• Tenting on a downtown rooftop. This may require city permits and police assistance with traffic control around the crane that is used to hoist equipment to the roof.
• Power source and distribution needs. Often, a generator, or two, is needed to pull off the event.
As they say, the sky’s the limit on tented weddings. With the right
budget and lead time, just about any dream can come true. ••
11
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catering
Consider Catering—
A Pinch of This, a Dash
of That Could Save the
Day for Tented Weddings
By Cate Buscher, National Association for Catering and Events,
baltimore photo by Daniel McGarrity Photography
a tent. An onsite refrigerator eliminates the
chance of potentially being charged more for
a refrigerated truck. Generators for ovens and
lighting for caterer’s tents don’t come cheap. Is
there adequate room for prepping the food as
well as a breakdown area? An appropriate prep
space for the caterer will enhance the efficiency
of getting the food out, and we all know how
important an itinerary is for maximizing dance
time. Becoming familiar with the necessities of
the prep space and realizing the need for one is
a huge step in the right direction.
Proximity keeps food service prompt
Suppose there is an amazing prep space
established for the caterer, but it is far from the
reception. Maybe there is no avoiding this, or
the couple doesn’t want an unsightly catering
truck ruining their view. Regardless, the issue
now is getting the food from the kitchen to
the tent. Additional staffing might be required
to ensure a meal served in a timely fashion. In
the case of rain, additional tenting would be
required to cover the path of the servers. One
guest’s last-minute surprise request could take
an eternity to fulfill. Keeping this in mind,
discussing layouts and aesthetics will be worth
it in the long run.
Creating a successful tented affair requires
a lot of careful planning. Anticipating the needs
of the caterer can reduce the number of potential complications and make the experience
much more rewarding for everyone involved.
As a wedding planner, before I became an offpremise caterer, I loved the challenge of tented
weddings—and still do. Far from routine weddings at familiar venues, tented events allow
couples to embrace a location that truly means
something to them and offers the stunning
ambience of a photographer’s dreams. They also
make hiring a planner pretty crucial. Someone’s
backyard doesn’t come with a dance floor,
tables, chairs, restrooms, or marked parking
spaces. An empty field does not necessarily offer electricity or running water. Identifying and
obtaining all of these things can be a daunting
and expensive process for couples—and nearly
impossible with no guidance.
Therefore, it’s up to the planner to pull
together all of those elements and create a
realistic budget to make it happen. But careful
planning can be undone if the logistics of what
the caterer needs to prepare the food interferes with the flow of the event. The needs
of the caterer can also add up financially and
make an unwelcomed impact on the final bill
if unexpected.
A common mistake among planners is to
address the obvious concerns, like budgeting
for restrooms and rentals but neglecting to
consider some of the biggies that have a major
impact on catering. How can you avoid this?
Consider the following:
Consider setup and breakdown
A commonly encountered money-saving technique is using the same rented chairs for the
ceremony as well as the reception. How does
this affect catering? It usually requires catering
staff to relocate the chairs from ceremony to
tent for the reception. And if the ceremony and
the tent are separated by the cocktail area, or
not at all near one another, the caterer must
employ more staff to make it happen. It’s possible this could be the most economical approach,
depending on headcount, but it might be the
most awkward way to handle the turnover.
Any caterer worth her salt will tackle these issues as soon as she is involved, but the planner
worth her weight in gold will anticipate these
Prep space is cost- and time-saving
needs and prepare her clients for them in adWhen preparing for a tented wedding, be
vance. This can make things infinitely easier for
sure to ask yourself: Where will the caterer be
preparing the food? A home kitchen? A garage? both client and caterer throughout the process,
prevent last-minute charges from arising, and
In their truck? In a caterer’s tent? While it
seems almost silly to bring this up, this detail is have a beneficial effect on the day-of itinerary.
often overlooked by planners and clients alike. By considering the requirements of the caterer,
you will be operating in the best interests of
Some solutions are less costly than others. A
your clients. ••
pre-existing kitchen costs less than renting
13
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14
International
Wedding Crasher Provides Glimpse
Into Brazil’s Wedding Scene
Tonia Adleta, PBC™, Aribella Events, Philadlelphia Photos by Wender Borges of Mega Studio Fotografias
Above, l: Guests received small, individually wrapped cakes. Above, r: Sweets tables are a Brazilian wedding tradition. This one is complemented by bright flowers, lit draping, and a gallery-size
artwork of the couple.
With the approach of the 2014 Fédération
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup finals and the 2016 Olympics, all eyes
are on Brazil—and with good reason, as it has
the fifth fastest-growing economy in the world.
As a delegate with Rotary International, I
spent several weeks in the capital city of
Brasilia and surrounding Distrito Federal
region. In addition to getting an insider’s
look at the far-reaching humanitarian
programs Rotarians have implemented, I
was able to “crash” a wedding as the guest of
Wender Borges, of MegaStudios, Anápolis,
one of the premier photographers in the
area. Borges invited me to one of his client’s
weddings at the historic St. Anne, the first
church in Anápolis, founded in 1692. In addition to experiencing Brazilian hospitality, I
now had a constant source of bits and pieces
of information on customs, traditions, and
trends from an experienced professional.
Better late than never
Even though churches often carry heavy fines
for a bride arriving late to her own wedding,
says Borges, most choose to pay it in order
to make a grand entrance. Our bride did not
disappoint, arriving roughly an hour after the
scheduled ceremony time.
Couples Choose Godparents
to Guide Them In Community
The custom of padrinhas y padrinos (godmothers and godfathers) was a pleasant surprise
and one of the most beautiful in weddings I’ve
studied around the world. The bride and groom
each invite several couples to stand with them
as godparents, not just for the ceremony itself
but to play an integral role in their married
lives, one of community. Another surprise
was the fact that all formal family portraits
are taken during the ceremony, itself, with the
guests seated and watching.
antebellum staircase, that provides the perfect
backdrop for nearly floor-to-ceiling sized
images, one each of the bride and groom, on
either side of the staircase, and one of them
together in the center.
wedding Attire takes cue
from American fashion
Regarding the fashion of the event, the ring
Music, food, flowers
bearer and flower girl, often in their young
compete for attention
teens, complement the bride and groom, much
With a nod to the stereotype of Brazilian
like the typical American bridal party in which
culture, music, food, and flowers compete
the couple has designated the color and/or style
for the top priority in most weddings. It is
common practice to have a full orchestra for the of dress. The padrinhas wear formal attire of
their own choosing and their padrinho counterceremony, followed by a DJ for the reception.
parts wear complementing ties and dark suits.
The orchestra provides a breathtaking musical
While Brazilian fashion is coming into its own,
backdrop to the processional and elevates the
most of the wedding-related attire for women is
experience for all involved.
imported and, therefore, much more expensive,
hence the reason padrinhas often rent their
One of the highlights of the reception is
gowns. Engagements are typically long enough
the dessert table, often all in white. Artfully
to include a trip to the United States for the
arranged platters and towers of cookies and
couple to purchase supplies for their wedding
candies flank the multi-tiered wedding cake.
Most wedding receptions last long into the eve- and their new home as a result of the high cost
of imported goods.
ning and include a café station for the guests
to enjoy the delicious coffee for which Brazil is
So many stories to tell
famous, along with the traditional send-off of
bem casados, small, individually wrapped cakes As wedding professionals, we all know that
each wedding tells a story, not just the love
that literally mean “marry well.”
story of the couple themselves, but also their
The décor of both the ceremony and reception heritage, culture, and families. My only regret
in my first, and possibly only, experience as a
sites often incorporate faux walls, draping,
“wedding crasher” is that there is so much more
and an abundance of lush flowers, even on
modest budgets. Oversized high-fashion style to the love stories of Brazil that one wedding
couldn’t possibly tell it all. Lucky for me, the
images of the couple’s engagement shoot
Brazilian visa is good for 14 years and there are
are also displayed. One of the most popular
more stories to be told. ••
venues in the area features a two-story
15
Attend and earn two points for education and professional
development. For more information, or to register, visit the
seminar website listed below or follow the link on www.
BridalAssn.com.
State Meetings
For Local Networking Group meetings, please contact
your state coordinator or visit www.BridalAssn.com.
Minnesota/Wisconsin State Retreat & Green Certification
Friday – Sunday, May 3 – 5
© Amanda Temple Photography
Association of Bridal Consultants Meetings & News
Seminars
Botanical Gardens
Green Bay, Wis.
http://abcwisconsinretreat2013.eventbrite.com
Louisiana State Meeting
Sunday, May 5
Colorado – 2nd Quarter Meeting
Wednesday, May 22
Castle Cliff Estate
Sedalia, Colo.
[email protected]
Amanda Morgan, Bob Hoffman Photography & Video,
San Diego, was recently promoted from social event
director to marketing director. Gillian Dalby has been hired
as the new social event director. April 16, marked Bob & Tara
Hoffman’s 30th anniversary and their 30th year in the San
Diego wedding industry.
Kentucky State Meeting
Wednesday, June 19
The Gillespie
Louisville, Ky.
[email protected]
Cindy Morley, PBC™, Eventful Moments, LLC, Palm City,
Fla., offered her planning services as seven couples tied the
knot at the 4th Annual Valentine’s Day Ceremony at the Port
Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens on Feb. 14, 2013.
Quarterly Connecticut Branch Wedding Mixer
Tuesday, July 9
FAMinar
Riviera Maya, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel
Sunday – Wednesday, June 23 – 26
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Regional Meetings
ABC Pacific Wedding Professionals Conference
Monday – Wednesday, June 3-5
Bali, Indonesia
www.apwpc.org/
Nicola Begg, PBC™, Bermuda Bride, City of Hamilton
HM, Bermuda, along with other A-list wedding planners,
was asked by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine to design and submit an intimate wedding reception
for six to eight people that was an example of the country
they represent. Bermuda Bride had 30 days to prepare and
submit its entry and could only use up to six vendors. As a
winner, they were featured in the publication. Elbow Beach
Bermuda, Lido Complex, Amanda Temple Photography,
Pulp & Circumstance, and Ambiance Designs collaborated
on the project.
ABC Annual Conference
Business of Brides
Sunday – Tuesday, Nov. 10-12
Alan Abrams Photography
West Palm Beach, Fla.
www.BusinessofBrides.com
www.BridalAssn.com
Planner, Forest, Va., taught a course for brides and grooms
on Wedding Planning 101 at Equip U, March - April 2013.
16
Donna Schonhoff, La Donna Weddings Officiants & Ceremony Coordinating Services, Macomb, Mich., was named
2013 winner of a Bride’s Choice Award from Wedding Wire.
Christine Terezakis, ABC™, Dreamday Weddings &
Events, Palm City/Stuart, Fla., presented a Design-YourWedding Workshop on April 6 to teach brides how to
design their unique weddings and benefit the Wish Upon a
Wedding Foundation. She also presented a complimentary
series of Business Dining and Etiquette seminars to Martin
County Youth Leadership high school students in April.
chester, Va., was chosen as 2013 Top Wedding Planner in the
Shenandoah Valley by Virginia Living.
Connie Amos-Parsons, PBC™, At Your Service Events
Chicago, was nominated for a Gala Award for Best Wedding
Budget over $1,000 per guest; served as conference ambassador for The Special Event, Chicago, in January; and serves
on the Advisory Board of Special Events Magazine.
Linda Somersall, PBC™, Linda Marie Weddings & Events,
Tampa, Fla., became a Certified Sandals Wedding Moons
Specialist in St. Lucia, and three days after the FAM trip,
booked her first weddingmoon, the happy couple was
married in St. Lucia on April 10.
Amy VanMeter, PBC™, Amy VanMeter Events, Win-
Achievements
Frank J. Andonoplas, MBC™, Frank Event Design,
Katie Hess, PBC™, Seize the Day Events, Green Bay, Wis.,
was selected for the prestigious Future 15, which annually
profiles 15 regional young professionals who are growing
and excelling in their respective fields. These individuals influence the growth, prosperity and quality of life
in Brown County, Wis., and, demonstrate the ability to
positively impact the area in the future through professional
accomplishments and community involvement. She was
nominated by a committee member, photographer, and
previous client/bride.
Senta Martz, Très Mousseux Weddings and Event, LLC,
Hollidaysburg, Penn., initiated “Brides Give Back,” which
became groundwork for various community service projects
dedicated to helping others. From raising money to supporting the community, to fostering awareness for diseases
by being a team captain for a 5K run, “Brides Give Back” is
designed to inspire others to achieve good causes.
Paragon Casino and Resort
Marksville, La.
[email protected]
Location TBD
[email protected]
Durango Party Rental, Durango, Colo., was invited
to compete in the Designers Challenge at the Durango
Wedding Expo. Durango Party Rental Planner Krii Black’s
design took first place. In addition, Durango Party Rental
was named Durango’s Small Business of the Year from the
Durango Chamber of Commerce.
Erin Calvimontes, ABC™, Divine Celebrations, Pittsburgh,
was invited to Cancun Mexico in February by Association
of Bridal Consultants Mexico members Helena Rincon
and Camelu Milan Vargas, MBC™, to teach an Indian
Wedding 101 workshop. With the help from a local florist
and decorator Varsovia Owner Mayra Pacheco, who made a
beautiful Mandap; a dhol player from Mexico City, Antonio
Morales Mehía; and a local henna artist from Carolina
Bellavista; and the beautiful Moon Palace Resort, the workshop, presented to more than 80 people, was a success.
Annamarie Wintercorn, MBC™, Elegant Weddings and
Events, Stuart, Fla., donated her time to plan the 13th Annual
Caritas Christi Celebration for St. Joseph’s Catholic School
in Stuart, Fla., on Jan. 27, at the Sailfish Point Country Club
in Sailfish Point, Fla. She also planned the Father-Daughter
Dance at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Stuart, Fla., on Feb. 9.
In the Media
Connie Amos-Parsons, PBC™, At Your Service Events
Planner, Forest, Va., was featured in the Altavista Journal
Wedding Guide and Forest Life Wedding Edition article,
“Wedding Planners Help Make Event Less Stressful."
Frank J. Andonoplas, MBC™, Frank Event Design,
Chicago, was featured on WGN News in a segment about
out-of-the-box wedding proposals and in CS Brides
Magazine’s Winter/Spring 2013 issue.
Gail Johnson, ABC™, Gail Johnson Weddings & Events,
Decatur, Ga., was featured on CBS Better Mornings
Atlanta—Wedding Trends, on Jan. 10, and in “Gail Johnson:
Wedding Planners Dish” and “Nichole and David Wedding
Feature” in The Knot Georgia’s Spring/Summer 2013.
Mark Kingsdorf, MBC™, The Queen of Hearts Wedding
Consultants, Clermont, Fla., was featured on Fox 29 News
“Don’t Save The Date” and Fox 29 Good Day Philadelphia
in a feature about how to make your wedding look like a
million without spending that much.
Rebecca Richman, PBC™, The Queen of Hearts Wedding
Consultants, Philadelphia, was quoted in the New York Times,
New York Post and Baltimore Sun regarding her client’s wedding—Super Bowl MVP, Baltimore Ravens Quarterback, Joe
Flacco, and had a featured wedding in Philadelphia Wedding
Magazine “Ask the Expert” Spring/Summer 2013.
Christine Terezakis, ABC™, Dreamday Weddings & Events,
Palm City/Stuart, Fla., was featured in “For Wedding Planner,
It’s Personal” in Your Voice News; authored “7 Tips to Throw a
House Party Your Guests Will Love” in The Golf Connection
of Martin County; had the Real Wedding of Ashley and Matt
featured in Treasure Coast Bride & Groom; was featured in
“Terezakis Named Trendsetter of the Year” in The Palm Beach
Post and Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers; was featured
in “Wedding Planner Helps Would-be Grooms Craft Perfect
Proposal” in Hometown News; and was featured in “Proposal
Planner Helps Guys Pop Question with Style” in Scripps
Treasure Coast Newspapers.
Seize the Day Events, Green Bay, Wis., was featured in
Wisconsin Bride Magazine for a wedding it planned on Door
County’s Washington Island in June 2012.
Jacqueline Vazquez, MBC™, Lifetime Events by Jacqueline, Scarsdale, N.Y., had articles published in the Scarsdale
Inquirer’s Annual Celebrations Section for four consecutive years. She has also been recognized as a Scarsdale
wedding/event industry expert and sought out as an expert
commentator for the same newspaper. The Knot Congratulates
ABC Members on 2013 Best
of Weddings Awards
By Laura Cave, The Knot, New York City
The Knot would like to congratulate the Association
of Bridal Consultants members who were recently
awarded the 2013 Best of Weddings award. Based
on reviews from real brides, these awards are highly
competitive and reflect the thousands of hours that
went into planning so many fabulous wedding
celebrations. Congratulations to all the winners! They
are: A Chair Affair, Inc.; A Day To Remember;
Wedding; Abbey Malcolm Letterpress + Design;
Amy Nichols Special Events; An Elegant Affair;
Aristocat Limousine; Artistique Weddings
and Special Events; Azzura Photography;
Bridal Elegance; Calluna Events; Ceremonies
By Bethel; Classic Party Rentals; Colin Lyons
Photography; Craig Scott Entertainment;
Dejanae Events; Del Lago Trio; Della Terra
Mountain Chateau; Dove Canyon Country Club;
Elegant Events; Elite Events; Emily Weddings,
Inc.; European Bridal; Exclusively Weddings; Extreme DJ Service; Freeland Photography; Friar
Tux Shop; Glass Slipper Weddings and Events;
Godfather Films; Grand Engagements; Hitched
Events; Holliday Weddings; i-do Weddings &
Events; Jack Randall Photography; Jay’s Catering; Jessica Lauren Events; La Donna Weddings
Officiants & Ceremony Coordinating Services;
Lake Natoma Inn; Laura’s Couture Collection;
Lee Thomas Films; Love in Bloom, LLC; LVL
Events; Magique Studios; Margaret’s Cleaners;
Merrily Wed; O’Dea Entertainment; One Fine
Day Events; One of a Kind Events; Orange
Restoration Labs; Patti Gehring Signature Weddings; Perfect Planning; Photo Booth Pro; Pink
Diamond Events; Pink with Envy Event Planning
Services; Pro Motion Entertainment; Resort
at Squaw Creek; Riverwalk Golf Club; Rose of
Sharon European Florist; Sheraton Commander
Hotel; ShutterBooth; So Chic Events; Solea
Events; Soundwave Entertainment Systems;
Sparkling Events & Designs, LLC; Special Occasion By Design; Split Second Sound; Square
Root Designs; Steve Burdick Events; Sugar Snap
Events; Sweet & Savory Bake Shop; The Brown
Hotel; The Crossings at Carlsbad; The Crystal
Gardens at Navy Pier; The Finer Things Event
Planning; The French Gourmet; The Hacienda;
The Henry Ford; The Inn at Longshore; The
Prado at Balboa Park; Tim Altbaum Productions; Trends To Traditions; Tustin Ranch Golf
Club; TwoFoot Creative; Wedding Planning
Plus; Weekend Wedding Warrior, LLC; White
Rabbit Photo Boutique; Winter Park Wedding
Design; Y-Knot Party & Rentals.
In Memory:
Desiree Grant
(ABC) member Desiree “Dezi” Grant
passed away on Friday, March 1,
2013. In 2010, Grant joined the ABC
and quickly became a very active
member of the Maryland/DC
chapter. Many who attended the 2011 Business of Brides in
Baltimore, may remember her for that beautiful infectious
smile, says Shelby Tuck-Horton, MBC™, Exquisite Expressions and Events, Inc., Lanham, Md. Grant served on the
2011 Conference Committee and was the primary person
responsible for filling the Maryland welcome bags. “Dezi
had such a positive impact on our members and made
many outstanding contributions to the success of our
chapter. She was a dedicated, loyal, committed, and supportive member of the Maryland Chapter and the members
will forever love her and always cherish her memory,” says
Tuck-Horton.
The Association of Bridal
California State
Meeting 2013
By Mary Jo Gallegos, MBC™, An Affaire of
the Heart, Beaumont, Calif.
Hosted by The DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont, and
featuring David Tutera, the California State Meeting was
a two-day educational experience with industry-leading
speakers who offered their knowledge and expertise
to inform and educate attendees. It also offered time
to build friendships between the north and south and
discuss ideas for the next state meeting. It also included
delicious meals and the motivation to move businesses to
a successful 2013.
Designations
The Association of Bridal Consultants congratulates the
following members who have achieved designation
January – February 2013.
Accredited Bridal Consultant™
Cindy Morley, Eventful Moments, LLC, Palm City, Fla.
Planner Krii Black and Durango Party Rentals, Durango,
Colo., was featured in a seven-page feature in the Durango
Weddings Magazine, a post-Wedding Expo magazine, as the
first-place winner in the Expo’s Design Challenge. Professional Bridal Consultant™
Giorgia Caramanti, Manto Weddings, Italy
Kwanza Cuffie, Henrico, Va.
Stephanie Hassan, Table 7 Events, Inc., Placentia, Calif.
Nancy Moreton, Weddings by Nancy, Cape
Girardeau, Mo.
Monique Patterson, Charleston, S.C.
Brenna Taylor, An Elegant Affair, LLC, Riverview, Fla.
Professional Wedding Vendor™
Hiroko Tsukui, Japan
Corrections
In the March/April 2013 issue of Wedding Planner
Magazine, Sasha Leahovcenco, You + We Photography,
was incorrectly referred to as “she” in the article “’Little
Black Dress Was Theme for ABC Sacramento Chapter
Meeting.” In the International feature of the same issue, the
photographer’s name is misspelled in the credits. It should
read Jeremy Standley Photography.
A Good Affair; A Joyful Occasion; A Signature
Association of Bridal Consultants Directorscode of ethics
David M. Wood III, President
Gerard J. Monaghan, Co-Founder
Eileen P. Monaghan, Co-Founder
Elise Enloe, MBC™, VP of North American Operations, Director of Education . ......................................... [email protected]
Elayne Anderson, Director of Operations.......................................................................................................................info@BridalAssn.com
Candice Benson, MBC™, Director of Social Media..................................................................candice@thefinishingtouchevents.com
Dena Davey, Director of Marketing.................................................................................................................................. [email protected]
Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™, Creative Director................................................................................................. [email protected]
Lois Pearce, MBC™, Director of Ethnic Diversity..........................................................................................lois@beautifuloccasions.com
Annemarie Steiner, Member Services........................................................................................................................mbrsvc@BridalAssn.com
Nicole DaSilva, Member Services......................................................................................................................................mob@BridalAssn.com
ABC Office: 1.860.355.7000, fax 1.860.354.1404, www.BridalAssn.com,
56 Danbury Road, Ste. 11, New Milford, CT 06776.
Our ABC members agree to:
• represent each client fairly and honestly,
providing all agreed-to services in a timely and
cost-efficient manner.
• establish reasonable and proper fees for services
and provide written estimates to each client.
• use honest, factual advertising.
• deal with employees and clients fairly, in an
unbiased manner.
• disclose to clients any payments received from
suppliers.
• operate an establishment that is a credit to the
community.
17
,
Business of BridesAnnual
Conference
West Palm Beach, Fla.,
November 10-12, 2013
Featured Speakers
Registration
ABC member registration is $625 through August. 31, 2013
Late registration is $675 September 1-October 31, 2013
www.BusinessofBrides.com | www.BridalAssn.com
Hotel
Matthew Robbins
matthewrobbinsdesign.com
Susan Southerland
susansoutherland.com
Simon T. Bailey
simontbailey.com
Hotel room rate is $129 a night at Marriott West Palm Beach
Educational Sessions
Business Marketing
• Couples Are Buying; Are You Selling? Denna Fyock
• Pricing Intervention for Vendors and Seniors,
Brigid Horne-Nestor, MBC™
• Contracts, Renee Grannis, MBC™
• How Much Should You Charge? Renee Grannis, MBC™
• Blissful Selling, Charles Oster
• Divorcing Your Business Partner, Lisa Smith and Selling Your
Business, Angela Dupont, ABC™
Professional-Personal
• Power Networking, Victoria Wagner, PBC™
• Playing Nice, Heather Canada, MBC™ & Tanya Hendricks, PBC™
• Diffusing Difficult Situations with Difficult People, Shinar Hurd
• You Oughta Write a Book, Gail Johnson, ABC™
• Entertaining the Experience: The Lost Art of Personal
Engagement, J.C. York
• Achieving Balance, Tracey Fricke, MBC™
Technology Topic
• Social Marketing and Internet Assets, Bryan Glynn
18
Wedding
• Church Coordinators: Friend or Foe? Stephanie Davis, ABC™
Southern Weddings, Deborah Simmons, MBC™ and Donna
Brian, MBC™
• Color in Wedding Design, Nancy Flottmeyer, PBC™
• Are You Ready for the Storm? Disaster Preparedness, Calandra
Terry, MBC™
• Modern Jewish Weddings, Yehudit Steinberg-Caudill and Bars and Bats, Salli G.
• Gowns Unveiled: Inspiration to Alterations, Jane Skarosi, MBC™/
MWV™ and Yoshi Kohara, MWV™
• Weddings in Tents, Alexis Eliopoulos O’Mara, MBC™ and Unusual Venues, Laurie Beckmann, MWV™/ABC™
• Special Needs Weddings, Elaine Parker and Plus Size Brides'
Shafonne Myers
business of brides
A Minute with Matthew
Advice and Insight From Wedding Pro Matthew Robbins
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting, Richmond, Va.
This year’s Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference,
Business of Brides, set for Nov. 10-12 at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, promises to be both insightful and entertaining
as Matthew Robbins, a highly-acclaimed event and flower designer,
shares industry insight as one of the featured speakers.
Robbins combines his fine arts training with his passion for events in his
company Matthew Robbins Design, based in New York City. A contributing
editor for Martha Stewart Weddings, he is regularly seen in InStyle Weddings,
New York Weddings, Elegant Bride, Modern Bride, and on TheKnot.com. Robbins is also a frequent guest on the Martha Stewart Show as well as Martha
Stewart Living Radio. Wedding Planner Magazine had the opportunity to
visit with him for a one-on-one interview, where he talked about the latest
wedding trends, dealing with unhappy clients, and what inspires him.
viewing process is a two-way street. You are also interviewing the client
as they get to know you and your work. If it isn’t a good fit, you must
speak up! You will regret taking on a client with a vision completely
contrary to your own rules and your approach.
WPM: What are the “must-have” design elements for a wedding?
Robbins: Elegant and unfussy flowers, good lighting, and beautiful food
presentation. You can have a really simple menu, but if presented properly,
it will look like the most exquisite and unique meal. Flowers don’t need to be
elaborate, but they do need to be put together carefully and thoughtfully. If
you treat flowers as an afterthought, it will show in the final product. Good
lighting is the key ingredient to any beautiful event. You can spend a million
dollars on design, but if it isn’t lit properly it will be a total loss!
WPM: What details do you find are most likely to be missed during the
planning process?
own wedding vision?
Robbins: That’s difficult as I love all of the details, but I think going crazy with
Robbins: I ask many important questions in the early stages, and I start too many paper goods sometimes happens. Remember, a wedding is not a
listening. You have to listen to your clients. I like to know how they met, corporate event, so don’t get lost in branding. A monogram is lost when used
in too many places. Elaborate escort cards are often missed, as guests aren’t
where they travel, what they do on the weekends, favorite restaurants,
color palettes they enjoy, how they decorate at home. All of these details interested in an interactive experience. They just want to find their table and
pick up a lovely, easy-to-read card. Don’t spend a fortune on programs as
lead to building a complete picture of your client and their vision. You
these are discarded quickly. I also find it really strange and unnecessary to
might see a totally different design plan for someone’s wedding, but
install a full pharmacy, with elaborate amenity baskets, in the restrooms. Your
you have to put your own agenda aside and pay careful attention to
what the client wants. As a designer, my job is to extract the key points guests will have Advil if they need it. You don’t need to supply these things.
of inspiration from my client’s feedback and run with that to build the
entire vision. I always remind my clients that I need to know more about WPM: What advice would you have for a planner who encounters a client
what they are dreaming of, what they love, dislike, etc.
who is unhappy with the final vision for the wedding day?
Robbins: I would direct the client to all of the documented conversations,
plans, and details you agreed to during your many meetings. Gracefully take
WPM: How do you balance your vision for the event with the bride’s
your client through the key points of inspiration and always, always focus
expectations?
Robbins: I remind the client and myself that this is not my wedding. My on the fabulous details rather than the negative if they are unhappy with
job is to build a vision that truly embodies who they are as a couple. You something. The unhappiness is normally related to their own stress and
insecurities on the wedding day. Remember to stay calm and focused. You
must feel secure as a designer to stay true to your work. Remember to
know your boundaries, and don’t compromise the integrity of your work don’t need to encourage the downward spiral by adding emotion to the situation. Always show your clients samples of fabrics, the flowers, and all of the
just to accommodate a client’s vision if their ideas are contrary to your
major details so they can sign off on the vision before the big day arrives. ••
process and your brand. I have learned, over the years, that the interWPM: What steps do you take with a bride to help her determine her
19
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master profile
Master bridal consultant™
mary charmoli, mbc™
Saratoga Weddings, Inc., www.saratogaweddings.com, Webster, Wis.
Employees: 2 full-time, plus independent contractors
Revenue Breakdown: 30% consulting/coordination, 20% officiating, 50% rentals.
Contact: 715.349.8383, [email protected], Facebook, Twitter
L-r: Unique and colorful boutonnière (laviephotography.com); peacock feathers were the perfect accent for these table numbers (Michelle Mero Riedel, riedelphoto.com); this couple was
prepared for the rain at their northern Wisconsin wedding (laviephotography.com).
Family: I am married to Jim. I have three
stepchildren, and we have two grandchildren.
Education: I received my registered nurse
diploma through Norfolk General Hospital
and took undergraduate classes through Inver
Hills Community College in Minnesota and
Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. I
received a Master Gardener certificate through
the University of Wisconsin Extension Office.
Getting started: Mary Olson and I opened
Saratoga Weddings in 1993, combining my background in wedding floral design and my business
partner’s experience in wedding fashion.
Goals: Eventually, I plan to slow down to
“retirement status,” perhaps planning only
occasional weddings and officiating more,
although I am still contemplating this route.
For now, I’ve accepted a position as event
coordinator for a newly renovated venue in
Siren, Wis., so instead of slowing down, I’m
starting a new chapter.
On the ABC: We joined the ABC at the same
time that we opened our business. We called
the main office to learn more about the
industry, spoke to Jerry Monaghan, and the
rest is history. It was the best business move
that we could have made, as we knew nothing
when we joined. When I began the process
of becoming a Master Bridal Consultant™, I
thought it would be the end of my consulting career, only to discover that it was the
beginning of a new chapter. It took a full
three years of preparation after receiving
my ABC™, tweaking and re-tweaking my
paperwork and presentation. I received
MBC™ status in 2009. My crowning moment,
however, was to receive the Miss Dorothy
Heart Award in 2010.
Other memberships: Siren Chamber of
Commerce, ISES, and the Burnett Garden Club.
Mentors: Frank Andonoplas, MBC™; Teddy
Lenderman, MBC™; Joyce Smith, MBC™; Renee Grannis; and my husband, Jim. They have
supported me when I have stumbled, have
not been afraid to be candid with me when I
needed honesty, and have rejoiced with me
when I have done well. I could not have asked
for five better role models or mentors.
Inspiration: My clients inspire me with their
youth and enthusiasm. I also try to give a new
look to the “Northwoods” theme that couples
seek when they marry in our area. I read niche
media incessantly (gardening, food, fashion,
wedding, floral design).
Marketing strategy: High quality service
and word-of-mouth referrals. We do very little
advertising.
Industry influencers: Technology and
the economy are two huge influences. We do,
however, roll with them by adjusting our media
presence, using technical devices and lingo to our
advantage, and keeping up-to-date, no matter
what our age. We have faced economic challenges
in the past and by holding fast in our pricing and
ensuring high quality of service, we can survive.
On staying fresh: We begin our season
in the winter with our only local bridal show,
which we help orchestrate. We scour the trends
and try to predict what couples want. Reinventing our “dated” rentals with a new look is also
fun and gets our creative juices flowing.
Ideal client: My ideal client is of no particular age or budget but is one who is flexible and
open-minded to creative ideas. Ideally, this
client is willing to direct the budget to what is
important to her or him, not just the current
trend. This client also desires to be a good
host to guests.
Reading now: Frances Mayer’s Bella Tuscany
and Rick Steves’ Great Britain.
Hobbies: Gardening or planning to garden,
reading, and travel.
Words of wisdom: Read, educate yourself,
network, attend the Association of Bridal Consultant’s Annual Business of Brides Conference,
keep your business practices honest and above
reproach, and provide service, service, service!
Kiss them 'til your lips hurt!
On giving back: I volunteer time through
our local Chamber of Commerce, plan benefits
and other events, plan community garden
events, and make donations when I don’t have
the time to give. ••
21
business basics
The Wedding Not-So Confidential
How to Successfully Discuss Pricing With Clients
By Alan Berg, Author, Speaker, Consultant, Kendall Park, N.J.
There has been a lot of talk lately about
the value of wedding planning services. A January television episode of 20/20, called “Wedding
Confidential,” questioned the price of all things
wedding and focused on ways couples can cut
costs. This piece seemed to do more damage
than good. How can you respond to questions
about the value of your services?
Start with fair pricing
Whether you’re a Master Bridal Consultant™
or aspiring newbie, you have to decide what
services you’re going to offer and then set a
price for those services. How do you set your
pricing? Do you look at what others charge and
then determine whether you’re worth more
or less? Or, do you sit down and figure your
costs, financial needs, and the time it will take
to perform those services? If you look at what
others are charging and base your prices on
that, you’re actually using the wrong metric.
Theoretically, the other business set their prices
based upon their financial needs, their costs,
their inventory (how many weddings they want
to plan this year), and other factors. Those
factors work for that company, but they don’t
apply to you. If you set your pricing correctly,
you’ll be ready to answer questions about it.
Know your advantage
First, however, learn how and when to address
pricing. If you’ve already had a chance to hear
what your clients’ needs are and explain what
you can do for them, then price is a legitimate
question. If it’s the first contact, move the
conversation to what’s really important, the
success of their wedding. It’s also important to
know when clients are not a good fit. Then, refer
them to someone more qualified for what they’re
seeking, or if it’s Bridezilla, simply walk away.
People can always find someone who charges
less than you, so why should they pay your
price—especially if you’re higher than most
area planners? If you don’t know why you
charge more, then why should anyone pay your
price? The answer is that they can’t get you and
your team anywhere else. They can get services
that look similar on paper, but if they really
want you and your team to plan their wedding,
or handle their wedding day management, they
have to hire you—at your price. So, the key is
not to sell the services, it’s to sell, specifically,
you providing those services. That’s something
they can’t get anywhere else—at any price.
The most important thing is...
A client of mine called the other day lamenting about a potential customer who said they
had gotten a significantly better price with a
competitor (40 percent less). On the one hand,
he was angry. On the other, he wanted to get
the sale. I suggested he tell the prospect that if
the most important thing was price, then they
should choose his competitor. However, if the
most important thing was success, he could
assure them of that outcome if they chose his
team. As a planner, you can’t know what the
other company will do. You have no control
over it. You do, however, know what you can
provide. This planner had a very experienced
team that had earned the right to be paid more
because of proven success.
Don’t price match or lower
your quality
Planners also shouldn’t choose to match a
lower price. Your price equals your quality. If
you offer to price match at 40 percent less, you
won’t give the client 40 percent less service, 40
percent less quality, or 40 percent less guest
Alan Berg is an in-demand, professional speaker, domestically and
internationally; a marketing guru and business consultant; and the
author of the books If Your Website Was an Employee, Would You Fire
It?, Don’t Paint the House, and his newest book Your Attitude for Success, all available on his website, along with a series of DVD and Audio
CD presentations. For more information, or to see Berg’s response
to open response to the 20/20 “Wedding Confidential,” visit www.
AlanBerg.com.
22
satisfaction, will you? Bring the discussion
back to what’s really important to the client.
Make your clients feel you’re the best solution
for their wedding. In the case of my client, I
also reminded him that if price was the most
important factor, his client would have already
booked the other company, but they didn’t.
They came back to him because they would
rather book him, but the price disparity made
them pause. That’s understandable. No one
wants to think they overpaid, especially by
a lot. If price truly was the most important
factor, then it wasn’t his sale to get.
Know why “it takes a village”
Another question that can arise is: Why does it
cost more for some services for a wedding than
for a party? Should it? Is it fair to the consumer?
From the outside, it may seem that a wedding
is just a party. But, as professional wedding
planners know, a lot more goes into planning
a wedding, DJ’ing a wedding, photographing a
wedding, etc. than for a party. Much of the extra
work happens out of the view of the host and
guests, before the event. While the 20/20 piece
suggested that some vendors increase pricing
when they hear it’s a wedding, they didn’t
acknowledge that there is a good reason for it.
When talking with clients, do you explain about
the extra planning and prep time involved
for wedding pros, including yourself, to properly execute a wedding versus a party? Do you
understand the extra work that the wedding pros
you recommend do? If not, learn more. It’s your
job to know as much as you can about all of the
different services of a wedding. I have a coaching client in Australia who’s starting a wedding
planning business. I suggested she “intern” with
as many different wedding pros as she can. Be an
extra set of hands to the florist, band, DJ, caterer,
etc. Learn, firsthand, what it takes to successfully
perform those services. That way, she’ll be more
prepared to explain the difference to her clients.
Give value and charge
what you’re worth
The lessons here are this. Price fairly, be
informed, and know the effort that goes into a
wedding from all sides. And don’t sell the price.
Sell you and your team providing the services
and products clients need. Once they want you,
they have to pay your price. ••
as k the e x perts
Industry Experts
Tackle Your Toughest Questions
Q
A
"As a beginner in the wedding industry, with very little to no extra
funds to spend, on what would you advise someone like me to
spend money for promotion and advertising?"
- Callie M. Rackley, CWP, Sister Secrets Wedding & Event, Elko, Ga.
“Start with developing a good website, then research wedding
Internet sites, and see what is the best fit for you and your
target market. Internet marketing seems to be the way to go,
but don’t rule out print. Stick to wedding-related magazines
and newspaper sections that the couples will be reading to get
specific wedding information.”
- Frank J. Andonoplas, MBC™, Frank Events, Chicago
“Position yourself with some of the more popular venues and wedding professionals by asking them to meet for coffee. I suggest meeting in the lobby of a great
hotel. Stop by early and bring a treat, something inexpensive. See the catering
manager since you were ‘in the area.’ And it’s great to be meeting in the lobby and
potentially run into to people who know you.”
- Mark Kingsdorf, MBC™, The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants, Clermont, Fla.
“Where to put your advertising dollar has always been a big question. The
problem is, there is no clear answer. What worked yesterday may or may not work
today. What worked for one company may not work for another. Part of the
problem is the speed of information these days. Websites go in and out of favor
much quicker, and there are more and more of them every year. Print can work
because it’s tangible, tends to stick around longer, and is passed from person to
person. When you are starting off, your most abundant resource is your time. You
have more time to network and get your name out in person. Your company must
have a clear and consistent image and message no matter what.”
- Ed Griffin, MWV™, The Wedding DJs/Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Wash.
“The most important thing is to get a website and business cards. When I first
started, I also tried doing some small, local bridal shows. Try reaching out to
caterers in the area. In my area, they host monthly tastings and invite vendors to
have a table during the tastings. Another great way to promote your business is
to volunteer to help with registration or check-in for vendors at your larger bridal
shows. It will give you a chance to network and get noticed.”
- Tammy Waterman, MBC™, Special Moments, Pinellas Park, Fla.
“Invest in a very nice and professional-looking website, blog, and business cards.
Use Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. There are fantastic companies out there that
will help set a site up for you with stock images, until you have your own to add,
for minimal funds. Also, invest in at least one, high-traffic bridal show. This should
help you get your name out there, and get some bookings to begin. Stay local, but
make sure you look professional when you attend anything. And, make sure to
network and gather business cards. Meet your local catering companies, florists,
and entertainment companies. These people will be great assets to you.”
- Shelly Stone, Signature Events by Shelly, Wauwatosa, Wis.
Q
A
"There have been so many suggestions on what to say and what
not to say during an initial interview or consultation. What is the
best manner to get a client to agree to a first or initial consultation, after the big ‘How much’ question?"
- Stephanie K. Davis, Creative Weddings and Events, Ellicott City, Md.
“I always try to ‘create concern,’ showing ways I can assist them
through features of my service, followed by the benefits of how it
will assist them with their specific need.”
“We don’t do initial consultations. We make ‘get-acquainted meetings.’ They
are designed to get to know the couple and their specific needs, share with them
what we can do for them, and see if we are a good match. There is no obligation
to ‘plan’ anything this way, and you can share a few tips with them without feeling
too obligated.”
“What I always tell people is that, even though I have my packages, I am always
happy to create a customized package for them. They might realize that, during
the consultation, they could use help in one way or another. This seems to make
people happy to meet with me—and I do quite well on the percentages of couples
that I book after that first consultation.”
- Shelly Stone, Signature Events by Shelly, Wauwatosa, Wis.
Q
A
“I coordinated a wedding this past January and the mother-ofthe-groom hired a second wedding planner and brought her from
Orlando to South Carolina. In this situation, how do you, as the
first planner, respond to the second?”
- Justin Séan Brown, PBC™, Creations by Brown, Pamplico, S.C.
“This is wrong on so many levels! I have a sign on my desk that
says, ‘You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.’ So, first, and hopefully, your contract says that you are the
only wedding consultant on the job (photographers do it all the
time). Second, your client needs to have a chat with the motherof-the-groom. There is no need for two quarterbacks calling the plays. Third, I
honestly don’t know that I’d want to have a lot of communication with the planner
until the lines were drawn, by the clients, as to what she was supposed to do and
until you had ‘circled the wagon’ with all of the wedding professionals on the job.”
“I have in my contract I am the only planner. Period.”
“I would reach out to the wedding planner, because, after all, we are all there for
the same common reason—to make the bride and groom’s day special. See what
he or she can do to assist and move forward so there’s no drama.”
- Tammy Waterman, MBC™, Special Moments, Pinellas Park, Fla.
Ask Our Experts!
Is there a situation that’s been puzzling you? Do you want answers? Email your wedding industry questions to [email protected]. Be sure to put “Ask
the Experts” in the subject line and include your full name, designation(s), business name, and its city and state. Questions are answered by our Advisory Board.
23
A B C member insight
Even Diamonds Don’t Sparkle Without Light—
Make Your Event Shine With the Right Lighting
article and photos By Edward L. Griffin, MWV™, The Wedding DJs/Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Wash.
Lighting is a powerful and effective tool for decorating, but
it’s much more than that. Great lighting can transform a venue, capture
a mood, tell a story, and add extra pizzazz.The key to polishing your
event is finding a lighting designer who understands the event and that
everything they put into the space is now part of the décor. Discuss
what you want the room to look like, the colors and textures you will
incorporate into the décor, and the budget. The three biggest things that
limit a lighting designer are: their own skill and creativity, power, and
the budget. As a planner, it’s also important to know the basics about
lighting. Here’s a primer:
Because this technology is relatively new, better and brighter LED lights
that cost the same or cheaper are continually being developed. Some
people believe LEDs don’t use any power and don’t get hot. That isn’t
completely true. True, LEDs use less power, but the LEDs that actually
put out as much light as a traditional halogen still use power and can get
hot. With LEDs, it’s not just the “bulb,” it’s also the circuit board that
uses power and can get hot.
To fix the harsh look of white LEDs, find fixtures with amber color
correction. A big advantage of LEDs is the range of colors they can
produce with the push of a button when using a DMX console for
linking controllers. It’s even possible to overcome the need to connect
each light with a cable when using wireless DMX. Of course, it costs
more. However, some LED fixtures can be preprogrammed with a
custom color before your event, removing the need for DMX cables.
Ask your lighting designer. Some LEDs are even battery-powered with
wireless DMX all-in-one.
Uplighting is Easy and Effective
Uplighting is simply floor-based lighting. It’s a quick, easy, and very
cost-effective way to enhance the atmosphere of any room. Consider
amber lighting, which make rooms feel warmer and look richer. It’s
also about the only color to make people look healthy and alive. It even
makes those of us from Seattle look tan. Avoid green lighting at all cost!
It makes people look ill, or worse, like aliens. Traditional par cans used
with halogen lamps give you a warm, pleasing light. To change the color, Gobos Transform and Add Texture
a gel or mylar film is placed over the top. The drawback is that you need Gobos allow a pattern to be projected from a theater light called
to swap out that color gel to change the color.
Ellipsoidal or Leko. Projecting the bride and groom’s name or initials
is a nice touch, but fairly common. However, using gobos for texture
LEDS Have Power and Range
can really make a room “pop.” Aim them on the ceiling, walls, or dance
Due to advances in technology, LED uplighting has become very popular. floor. Themed gobos also add to the décor. Imagine orange leaves for an
24
A B C member insight
…using gobos for texture
can really make a room "pop."
autumn-themed wedding in a building with old wooden beams. On rare
occasions where you have attach points above, you can aim them on the
floor for a gobo aisle runner.
Moving Heads Create Hollywood Effect
Moving heads are very powerful and versatile light fixtures that look like
a headlight on the end of an egg. You see them on TV at every awards
show. Their ability to spin and tilt make them able to hit almost anywhere in a room. Some are used for spotlights and color washes. Others
have rotating gobos, so you can use them for texture on the walls. When
the dancing starts, these lights can come alive by moving, strobing,
changing colors, and rotating the gobos—all at the same time. Moving
heads are fairly expensive and require a skilled DMX programmer, but
they can be very impressive.
The Secret to Great Tent Lighting
Lighting in a tent is a must. When the sun goes down, light is needed, so
you might as well make it look great. Uplighting and chandeliers are standard. Down-lighting can also look amazing when installed between the
top of the tent and the liner. The liner diffuses the light and helps create
a warm feel. You may want dimmers here, especially if you have a DJ or
band and dancing is planned. With tents, however, power can be an issue.
Distance from a power source may require you to rent a generator. Don’t
skimp here. If your caterer has heating ovens or coffee pots, they may use
more power than your lighting and your entertainment combined. Even if
you are close to a building with power, it may not be desirable to run cables
between them if they cross a major walkway. You could put the generator
on a corner and run cables where no one will trip over them.
Make it over the top!
Create a “lightscape,” not just a couple splashes of color. Turn off all
florescent lighting. Layer your lighting with color using uplighting and
textures with gobos, and enhance both with moving heads. Use lighting
to take your bride’s, groom’s, and guests’ breath away the minute they
walk into the room. ••
Ed Griffin, MWV™, is owner of Hardcastle Entertainment, Inc., a full-production, audio-visual
company, and The Wedding DJs. He is a member
of the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA),
having served as president of its Puget Sound
Chapter. An active member of the Association of
Bridal Consultants, Griffin served as the Washington State Coordinator in 2009 and 2010 and
became a Master Wedding Vendor™ in 2011. He
is also a member of Wedding Planner Magazine’s
Advisory Board.
25
wisconsin
Real Wedding
ABC Member Planner: Katie Hess, CWP,
ABC™, Seize the Day Events, Green Bay, Wis.,
www.seizethedayevents.com.
Photographer: Photo by Aubrey.
Non-member businesses involved: The Flower
Girl Design Studio, Pat Rafferty Productions, Alpha
Delights, Sound Dimensions Disc Jockeys, Gareth
Woods, and Wildflower Linen.
The couple : Katie and Daniel Adamany are a
wonderful, giving couple with a beautiful son,
Miles. Katie is an attorney and Daniel is the
president/CEO of Ahead, a Chicago-based IT
consultancy. They both started a non-profit
called Getting Ahead to provide educational,
social, and cultural assistance to underprivileged
youth and were planning its launch while we
were planning their wedding.
Wedding date(s): Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Door
County and Saturday, July 21, in Green Bay.
Wedding planning/style inspiration : The
Thursday wedding was an intimate wedding
and reception for close family. A musician was
brought in from Chicago, and the event was held
at Daniel’s mother’s home on the bay. Natural
lighting elements, delicious catered food, and
excellent music in an intimate setting were the
hallmarks. The Saturday reception (see photos
on Wedding Planner Magazine's Facebook page),
with a distinctly different look, was for family
and friends. Held at Daniel’s father’s restaurant,
Wally’s Spot, this reception was in a classic, all
black and white, 1940s theme—giving a nod to
the supper club vibe of the venue with linens, a
Chicago band, ambience lighting, a large dance
space, custom menus, a seafood ice bar, and food
stations with a classic flair.
Color palette: Thursday— natural, ivory, cream,
white. Saturday—black, white, blue.
Budget: $40,000.
Guest count: Thursday—12. Saturday—175.
Most unique design element: Guests were
greeted at the reception site by an artist’s
rendering of the bride, groom, and their son and
welcomed with champagne. Another drawing of
the bride and groom was visible as guests entered
the dance hall and were welcomed with another
signature drink when dancing was set to begin.
Biggest challenge: Two themes, two days, two
guest lists, two invitations. I was seeing double
trying to keep organized with tabs on each vendor
and the overall budget. Even though I knew issues
would arise last minute, next time I’ll be more
detailed and diligent with the budget so that
everything is detailed to the penny.
Learnings: I have a tendency to group items
together and then send emails or place calls to clients. This way, I don’t feel like I’m always contacting them. I have started contacting my clients more
often, which seems to put them at ease knowing
that I’m always thinking about their day. ••
ABC member planner: Janice Board, Spectacular
Soirees Wedding & Event Planning, Terre Haute, Ind.,
812.841.4311, [email protected],
www.spectacularsoirees.com.
Photographer: Vintage Spark Photography.
Non-member business involved: Brandon Harris
Event Lighting, Heinl’s Flower Shop, J. Lin Catering
The couple: Betsy Young and Matt Dillin live in
Colorado and share a great love of the outdoors
and sports. They weren’t afraid to get their hands
dirty with DIY projects, which made the experience
even more enjoyable. They were invested in this
wedding process more than the average couple.
wedding Date: Sept. 8, 2012.
Inspiration: Betsy and Matt were inspired by the
outdoors and a casual sense of style.
Color palette: Teal, yellow, white.
Approximate budget: $15,000.
Guest count: 50.
Most unique design element: Using the canoe
as the bar, mismatched vintage plates for place set-
tings, creating a clearing and aisle in the middle of
the forest, hanging/draping a multitude of lanterns
from wire 12 feet off of the ground surrounding the
ceremony site, and using a great deal of burlap.
Biggest challenge: By far, the ceremony site was
the biggest challenge. We were excited to finally
have a venue owned by the client. That meant we
could take our time to set up both the ceremony
and reception site over the course of seven days.
We created a clearing in the forest and a hiking
path to the site. The path was about a quarter-of-amile walk from the reception location on the family
property. Unfortunately, the weather did not
cooperate. It poured the two days before the wedding, so we had to do the ceremony and reception
site installations in one day. The site and the path
leading up to it were mud pits. We covered the
entire area with straw so guests would not sink into
the ground. We also designed a temporary aisle
made of heavy concrete blocks—the groom and
groomsmen installed it. It was all hands on deck
indiana
Real Wedding
when the two days of rain truncated the schedule.
Another challenge was the distance from the family
home to the ceremony site. Everything had to
be transported via “gator.” Additional challenges
included widening the path to the family home
for access by the coach bus transporting guests,
clearing a pathway to the site so the gators/trucks
could transport materials multiple times, and jury
rigging table leg jacks under the reception tables so
they didn’t sink into the wet ground.
Hindsight: We really don’t have any regrets
for this wedding, except the weather, which we
could not control. Of course, one can always
use more detail photos including—the visually
beautiful vignettes of antique lanterns, hand-made
wooden buckets/barrels, bales of straw, an antique
wooden wheelbarrow filled with colorful mums,
candles, and more, all set up along the lantern-lined
walkway to the ceremony site. The family also had
a fabulous old, red barn and rusty farm implements
throughout the property. ••
27
education
Let’s Talk Education:
ABC’s Seminar Series One, Two, and Three
By Elise Enloe, MBCTM, ABC Vice President of North American Operations & Director of Education, Oviedo, Fla.
The Association of Bridal Consultants
(ABC) seminars are being refreshed with
consistent branding and are no longer being
referred to as “Expanding Horizons.”
A cadre of select, senior ABC masters-level
members facilitates the seminars, the strength
of which lies in its small group interaction. All
seminars include a workbook with additional
reading, checklists and samples, skill-based
activities, and ample time for networking, sharing experiences, and questions and answers.
and those who have taken certificate courses
but need help getting started. It also outlines
the association’s roadmap to success through
education. Additional ABC masters and state
coordinators are being trained this summer to
conduct this seminar more locally.
graphics, participants develop short- and longterm goals as well as a mission statement, are
given business start-up checklists, and then
walk through the elements of developing a
business plan. The afternoon is spent covering marketing, contracts, and pricing. ABC’s
Weddings as a Business course is suggested to
accompany this seminar.
Series Two—
Let Your Business Blossom
Series Three—
The first specialized Expanding Horizons
Rehearsal to Reception Rx
Seminar launched in 2008, Let Your Business
Blossom, is targeted to helping those starting a The third in the introductory level of ABC
wedding business. This seminar provides a sound seminars, Rehearsal to Reception Rx is a
hands-on, skill-based seminar to experience
basis for wedding business startup issues typiAll of the ABC’s one-day seminars earn two
what it takes to get through a typical wedpoints in Education and Professional Develop- cally encountered in the first two to five years
ment for advancement. The first three seminars of business. Many wedding planners are strong, ding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception.
This seminar originally debuted in 2009, but
right-brain individuals, intuitive, artistic, and
in the education series provide wedding and
creative—developing their left-brain, analytical, has been updated for 2013 with additional
business skills to those getting established as
skill activities. Attendees will participate in a
and business skills can be a challenge.
wedding professionals. “While there are so
mock rehearsal, cut a wedding cake, and learn
many opportunities for wedding professionals
to bustle a wedding gown as well as prepare
However, don’t be afraid to attend this semito attend conferences, seminars, and worktimelines, conduct site inspections, prepare
nar if you’ve been in business for some time.
shops on marketing, branding, and building
their business, the ABC provides more wedding It benefits all wedding professionals who have their emergency kit, and learn how to deal
with common wedding emergencies.
never developed a business plan, or are reeducation than any other source. That’s what
launching, rebranding, shifting their business
ABC education does to set the standard of
In the next issue of Wedding Planner Magazine,
excellence for the wedding industry,” says David market, or could just use some “fertilizer” to
get their business growing. Starting with how I’ll review ABC seminar series four, five, and
Wood, ABC President.
six. These education sessions are for established
to conduct market research, and a review of
consultants and wedding professionals. ••
current wedding industry data and demoSeries One—
ABC’s World of Wedding Planning
How to Schedule an ABC Seminar in Your Area
Last fall, as part of the restructuring of the
educational track, Gloria Boyden, MBC™, and If you’d like a seminar in your region, ask your state coordinator to bring it to your state. ABC seminars are often held in conjunction with state or regional meetings. The ABC Education plan is responsive to your needs,
I introduced the World of Wedding Planning
(WoW) as ABC’s Education Series One, replac- but we don’t have unlimited resources. Plan for a minimum of 10-12 attendees in order to have a seminar and
allow at least six months lead time.
ing New Horizons. WoW Planning provides
an intensive, introductory sampling of the
wedding industry and all of the education the Seminars do not have to be taken in order. There are no restrictions or prerequisites to attend any ABC
seminar. Each seminar is designed to incorporate flexibility to meet individual and group needs, while covering
ABC has to offer potential wedding planners,
those just establishing their wedding business, seminar content.
28
industry best practices
“My entire portfolio is on my iPad—to show
potential clients the photographs, publications, and itineraries of events I’ve done.
The iPad also helps show current clients
examples of setup and décor. It holds my
calendar and emails so I can stay on top of
emails in between meetings and know my
agenda. I also keep up with trends—reading magazines, blogs, and using Facebook.
Clients use my iPad during meetings to show
their Pinterest wedding boards.”
“We love using our iPad to show off
albums, Pinterest boards and inspiration,
past events, and future ideas to clients. We
make sure we have our iPad handy for all
meetings and also use it during site visits
to take video and photos. The iPad is such
a handy tool to check email and look up
anything, anywhere!”
- Jolene Greenbaum Peterson, Calluna
Events, Boulder, Colo.
“My iPad is my portable office and has
built-in cellular, so ‘we’ can go anywhere. I
have even used video conferencing in the
car, while parked, of course! I use SaiSuke
“My iPad has completely simplified my
calendar, which syncs all of my gadgets
wedding practices. I use the app Bamboo to wirelessly. Foliobook holds my event portsketch out designs the bride and I discuss
folio. And then there are the useful apps
while we’re meeting so she can confirm
that make me look like a genius around my
it. Before every event, I send all the latest
brides: Sunset & Rise, ColorSchemer, and
to-do lists, room diagrams, seating charts,
Fun Wedding (to suggest songs).”
guest lists, timelines, and vendor informa- - Stephanie L. Hassan, PBC™, Table 7 Events,
Inc., Fullerton, Calif.
tion to my iPad. Then, I can flip through
the various documents without a bulky
notebook, enlarge the timeline without
“I scan all contracts into PDFs and load
having to print off multiple sheets, and, if
them to my iPad for a wedding day. This
necessary, email a document to a staffer or includes the itinerary. Additionally, when
vendor at the last minute. Just be sure to
meeting with potential clients, I use the
charge your iPad first!”
slideshow to display past weddings and
- Lynn H. Wheatley, Lasting Impressions of
review the packages I offer.”
Tulsa, LLC, Tulsa, Okla.
- Jennifer Lackey, ABC™, Storybook
Wedding Consulting, Newnan, Ga.
- Angela Dupont, ABC™, CPCE, Dupont
Events, Fort Worth, Texas
“I use my iPad to engage with potential
clients by sharing a digital format gallery
and inspiration. It’s one thing for them to
see my work ahead of time at home on
their own computer or device, but, faceto-face, I’m able to add context and detail
to the design decisions when walking them
through the portfolio. The majority of my
clients are in the millennial generation, they
appreciate working with a professional who
is tech-savvy.”
“Our iPad is a wonderful tool to use during
client meetings. We are able to showcase
examples of floral designs, table décor, and
layout options for venues. Our business has
advanced by the innovation of technology!” - Jennifer N. Friend, MAED, Pink with Envy
Event Planning, Beavercreek, Ohio
“I store all client information in Evernote
along with emails, digital contracts, and
- Amber Housley, Amber Housley Style +
location and inspiration photos all in one
Design, Nashville, Tenn. instantly available device. To have it at my
fingertips during a client meeting in-office
“Using the iPad allows you to take mobile
or on-location is invaluable! Notes, changes
payment on the go with apps like Square,
to plans, timelines, details, etc. can be typed
Intuit, and Paypal. Use Facetime, Skype, and up or even recorded for later text translaGoogle Hangout to virtually ‘meet’ with
tion anytime. The same information travels
clients and vendors. When you want to get to my phone on the wedding day for easier
in a quick face-to-face with a client or ven- transport in my pocket!”
- Bryan Glynn, BG Pictures, Holiday, Fla.
dor, these apps are great. You can use the
DocuSign Ink app to store, send, and sign
documents for your signature as well as
“I absolutely love my iPad! There are several
your client’s signature. Quickoffice Pro HD great apps I use on it. One of my favorites
allows you to view and edit your Microsoft is Dropbox. I create my own design boards
Office documents (Word, Excel, Powerin PowerPoint, save them, and then upload
point). OmniFocus for iPad is a high-level
them to Dropbox. It makes for a great
task management app that allows you to
presentation when meeting with potential
track all you do by attaching notes, audio, new brides. The presentation looks more
links, and images to your action items.”
professional, clean, and flawless on the iPad.
- LaToya Parnell, PBC™, Something Blue
Weddings, Washington, D.C.
TechnoTidbits:
How do
you put
your iPad
to work
for you?
- Nishaka Proctor, PBC™, Events By Nishaka, Greensboro, N.C.
29
ADVERTISER INDEX
ACCESSORIES
Carlson Craft......................................................32
Colin Cowie Weddings.......................................14
Quick Candles.....................................................31
CONFERENCES
ABC Business of Brides Annual Conference.....18
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Colin Cowie Weddings.......................................14
Hard Rock Hotel.................................................14
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco........................................6
Mexican Tourism Board.................................6, 20
Palm Beach County Florida.................................4
Sandals...............................................................2,3
KEEPSAKES
The Unity Cross..................................................12
RESORTS & HOTELS
Hard Rock Hotel.................................................14
Sandals...............................................................2,3
RENTALS
Karl’s Event Services..........................................11
TOURISM/TRAVEL
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco........................................6
Mexican Tourism Board.................................6, 20
Palm Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau........4
Sandals...............................................................2,3
WEBSITES
www.LoveMexicoWeddings.com.......................20
www.MagicOfMexico.com.................................20
www.VisitMexico.com/weddings......................20
Thank you to
our advertisers
Remember to mention you
saw their ad in Wedding Planner
Magazine when contacting our
advertisers, making inquiries, or
placing your orders.
Chic. Panache. Flair. Elegance. Elán. Grace. Style.
Do you have it?
Put YOUR best up against THE best by entering Wedding Planner
Magazine's WEDStyle Awards.
Download the application at www.WeddingPlannerMag.com/PDF/
WEDStyleApplication.pdf. Applications are due by May 31, 2013. Late
applications by June 6, 2013. Winners will be featured in the
November/December issue of Wedding Planner Magazine and will
be announced at the Association of Bridal Consultants Business of
Brides Conference in West Palm Beach, Fla., in November.
visit
follow
tweet
weddingplannermag.com
facebook.com/WeddingPlannerMagazine
twitter.com/wedplanmag
30
1-800-928-6175
quality products-quick shipping!
Quality Products - Quick Shipping!
same day ship
guarantee
Quick Candles is our
number one choice for
high quality candles at
a reasonable price. The
service we receive is
always top notch, the
value is unbeatable, and
we are consistently
impressed with their quick
and efficient shipping. We
have enjoyed a long and
seamless relationship with
Quick Candles and look
forward to many more
years as a loyal customer!
Fresh Affairs
Floral & Event Designers
delivery date
guarantee
low price
guarantee
100% satisfaction
guarantee
Diamond Acrylic Vase Gems
Pillar Centerpieces
Taller Cylinders (14”) (17”) (20”)
Rose Petals, Mirrors, and Pillar Candles
Floating Candles
Submersible LED’s
www.freshaffairs.com
www.quickcandles.com
1-800-928-6175
Periodical
400 Main Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
New in 2013!
Quite Personally!™
accessories, gifts & favors
It’s easy to partner with us.
Offer your customers a wide array of wedding invitations & accessories in person
from albums or online through your very own Carlson Craft Online Store.
Contact us to find out which selling method best fits your business.
800.292.9207 | [email protected]
www.carlsoncraft.com | mention code ABCQP53

Wedding Planner Magazine 05062013

Transcription

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