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Wedding Planner MAGAZINEJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

Inspired by the Association of Bridal Consultants

ABC WORLD OF WEDDINGS…PLANNING IN AN ERA OF NATURAL DISASTERS…ART OF THE TIMELINE…PLANNER - PHOTOGRAPHER RELATIONSHIPS…#BESTDAYEVER

More and more couples are setting their eyes on the Caribbean as the perfect wedding destination to thrill their hearts and wow their guests. Deciding why to choose the Caribbean is easy! Each island charms its visitors with exotic beauty and natural wonders—ideal qualities for the ultimate celebration of love. Narrowing down the options to one island, however, requires a little bit of help.

For Adventurous CouplesSAINT LUCIAFrom silky-sand beaches to miles

of unspoiled rainforest, pristine

waterfalls, and even an ancient drive-

thru volcano, Saint Lucia casts a spell

of romance and adventure.

SANDALS GRANDE ST. LUCIANSandals Grande St. Lucian is home to

a stunning Over-the-Water Wedding

Chapel, breathtaking Over-the-Water

Butler Bungalows, and the island’s

calmest waters. The fabulous resort

offers a multitude of unlimited land

and water sports, plus free transfers

and full access to the other two

Sandals Resorts on the island.

For Relaxation SeekersBAHAMASCalypso beats, crystalline waters,

and rum-infused cocktails make this

exotic archipelago the ideal retreat for

paradise seekers.

SANDALS EMERALD BAYAn excellent choice for beachside

weddings, Sandals Emerald Bay is

an indulging beachfront oasis that

features the utmost in comfort and

luxury in an unhurried setting. The

resort features personal butlers in

top-tier suites, an award-wining

Red Lane® Spa, and a Greg-Norman

designed championship golf course.

For Food Enthusiasts GRENADAKnown as the Spice Island, Grenada

boasts Afro-Caribbean, European, and

South East Asian influences—all found

in the island’s vibrant culture and

savory cuisine.

SANDALS LASOURCEA foodie’s paradise, Sandals LaSource

offers 5-Star Global GourmetTM cuisine

featuring fine dining at ten specialty

restaurants. From Caribbean fare and

the freshest sushi to French cuisine

and the island’s premier steakhouse,

guests embark on a daily epicurean

journey.

For Luxury LoversJAMAICAAccompanied by tropical climate,

friendly locals, and lush natural

beauty, the spirited island offers the

best of the Caribbean.

SANDALS SOUTH COASTSandals South Coast is the

leading destination for revelers of

sophistication. Here, couples can

say I do in a breathtaking Over-the-

Water Wedding Chapel and indulge in

luxury at the Caribbean’s most

spectacular Over-the-Water

Butler Bungalows.

For the Family FocusedTURKS & CAICOSComplete with tall coconut palm

trees, year-round sunny skies, and

the region’s best snorkeling, Turks &

Caicos is a picture-perfect tropical

oasis for all ages.

BEACHES TURKS & CAICOSVoted the World’s Leading Family

All-Inclusive, Beaches Turks & Caicos

has something for everyone—

from luxurious family-friendly

accommodations to a thrilling

waterpark, and entertainment with

the colorful cast of Sesame Street®.

For Movers & ShakersBARBADOSIncredibly charming locals,

remarkable beaches, and an exciting

nightlife—all add to this little island’s

magical appeal.

SANDALS ROYAL BARBADOSSandals most exclusive all-inclusive,

ever, Sandals Royal Barbados

features the brand’s first 4-lane

bowling alley and a rooftop pool. This

one-of-a-kind resort features all-suite

accommodations and is conveniently

located in the lively St. Lawrence Gap.

For Hopeless RomanticsANTIGUAA true lover’s paradise, Antigua is

one of the most romantic places on

Earth with 365 beaches—one for

each day of the year.

SANDALS GRANDE ANTIGUAVoted the World’s Most Romantic Resort, Sandals

Grande Antigua is set along one of the best beaches in

the Eastern Caribbean. From a Mediterranean-inspired

village to a lush tropical setting and chic Caribbean vibe,

the resort offers romance at every turn.

Only Sandals® and Beaches® take couples Aisle to IsleTM with the perfect destination wedding location for every type of personality and lifestyle. Featuring inspirations that grant over a million beautiful mix and match décor options, your clients will easily plan an unforgettable, all-inclusive destination wedding at one of our 19 Luxury Included® resorts—and you can earn a commission of 10% or more! For terms and conditions, visit:

www.sandals.com/disclaimers/aisletoislepromotions

For more information, contact Kim Sardo, Sr. Director of Business Development at

(978) 281-1119 or [email protected]

THE BEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND FOR EVERY PERSONALITY

Sandals Emerald Bay

By: Cristina Jaramillo

More and more couples are setting their eyes on the Caribbean as the perfect wedding destination to thrill their hearts and wow their guests. Deciding why to choose the Caribbean is easy! Each island charms its visitors with exotic beauty and natural wonders—ideal qualities for the ultimate celebration of love. Narrowing down the options to one island, however, requires a little bit of help.

For Adventurous CouplesSAINT LUCIAFrom silky-sand beaches to miles

of unspoiled rainforest, pristine

waterfalls, and even an ancient drive-

thru volcano, Saint Lucia casts a spell

of romance and adventure.

SANDALS GRANDE ST. LUCIANSandals Grande St. Lucian is home to

a stunning Over-the-Water Wedding

Chapel, breathtaking Over-the-Water

Butler Bungalows, and the island’s

calmest waters. The fabulous resort

offers a multitude of unlimited land

and water sports, plus free transfers

and full access to the other two

Sandals Resorts on the island.

For Relaxation SeekersBAHAMASCalypso beats, crystalline waters,

and rum-infused cocktails make this

exotic archipelago the ideal retreat for

paradise seekers.

SANDALS EMERALD BAYAn excellent choice for beachside

weddings, Sandals Emerald Bay is

an indulging beachfront oasis that

features the utmost in comfort and

luxury in an unhurried setting. The

resort features personal butlers in

top-tier suites, an award-wining

Red Lane® Spa, and a Greg-Norman

designed championship golf course.

For Food Enthusiasts GRENADAKnown as the Spice Island, Grenada

boasts Afro-Caribbean, European, and

South East Asian influences—all found

in the island’s vibrant culture and

savory cuisine.

SANDALS LASOURCEA foodie’s paradise, Sandals LaSource

offers 5-Star Global GourmetTM cuisine

featuring fine dining at ten specialty

restaurants. From Caribbean fare and

the freshest sushi to French cuisine

and the island’s premier steakhouse,

guests embark on a daily epicurean

journey.

For Luxury LoversJAMAICAAccompanied by tropical climate,

friendly locals, and lush natural

beauty, the spirited island offers the

best of the Caribbean.

SANDALS SOUTH COASTSandals South Coast is the

leading destination for revelers of

sophistication. Here, couples can

say I do in a breathtaking Over-the-

Water Wedding Chapel and indulge in

luxury at the Caribbean’s most

spectacular Over-the-Water

Butler Bungalows.

For the Family FocusedTURKS & CAICOSComplete with tall coconut palm

trees, year-round sunny skies, and

the region’s best snorkeling, Turks &

Caicos is a picture-perfect tropical

oasis for all ages.

BEACHES TURKS & CAICOSVoted the World’s Leading Family

All-Inclusive, Beaches Turks & Caicos

has something for everyone—

from luxurious family-friendly

accommodations to a thrilling

waterpark, and entertainment with

the colorful cast of Sesame Street®.

For Movers & ShakersBARBADOSIncredibly charming locals,

remarkable beaches, and an exciting

nightlife—all add to this little island’s

magical appeal.

SANDALS ROYAL BARBADOSSandals most exclusive all-inclusive,

ever, Sandals Royal Barbados

features the brand’s first 4-lane

bowling alley and a rooftop pool. This

one-of-a-kind resort features all-suite

accommodations and is conveniently

located in the lively St. Lawrence Gap.

For Hopeless RomanticsANTIGUAA true lover’s paradise, Antigua is

one of the most romantic places on

Earth with 365 beaches—one for

each day of the year.

SANDALS GRANDE ANTIGUAVoted the World’s Most Romantic Resort, Sandals

Grande Antigua is set along one of the best beaches in

the Eastern Caribbean. From a Mediterranean-inspired

village to a lush tropical setting and chic Caribbean vibe,

the resort offers romance at every turn.

Only Sandals® and Beaches® take couples Aisle to IsleTM with the perfect destination wedding location for every type of personality and lifestyle. Featuring inspirations that grant over a million beautiful mix and match décor options, your clients will easily plan an unforgettable, all-inclusive destination wedding at one of our 19 Luxury Included® resorts—and you can earn a commission of 10% or more! For terms and conditions, visit:

www.sandals.com/disclaimers/aisletoislepromotions

For more information, contact Kim Sardo, Sr. Director of Business Development at

(978) 281-1119 or [email protected]

THE BEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND FOR EVERY PERSONALITY

Sandals Emerald Bay

By: Cristina Jaramillo

http://www.sandals.com/disclaimers/aisletoislepromotionsFor

http://www.sandals.com/disclaimers/aisletoislepromotionsFor

mailto:[email protected]


4 WEDDING PLANNER MAGAZINE

WEDDING PLANNER MAGAZINEvol 7 issue 6

FEATURES8 2017 ABC World of Weddings Annual

Conference—a Fiesta of Fun!12 Your 2018 Wedding Industry Conference

Guide18 Are You Ready for Anything? Planning in

an Era of Natural Disasters20 #BestDayEver—The Knot's Tips for Wed-

ding Trends

REAL WEDDINGS25 Philadelphia27 Argentina29 Louisiana

COLUMNS17 Business Basics: The Art of the Timeline23 Master Profile: Robyn Bruns, MWP™24 Seasoned Professionals: Inspiration—for

25 Years and Counting...26 NACE: Celebrate in the Snow!28 Industry Insight: What Photographers

Could Do to Better Cultivate a Relation-ship with You

IN EVERY ISSUE6 Letter7 Contributors11 Industry Best Practices14 Ask the Experts16 ABC News

826


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | VOLUME 7 ISSUE 6

PUBLISHERSNancy Flottmeyer, PWP™, and David Wood

EDITORBeth Erickson

CREATIVE DIRECTORNancy Flottmeyer, PWP™

CONTRIBUTORSFrank Andonoplas, MWP™

Meghan Ely Kim GrimmKerry Hawk

Alyssa LongobuccoCarrie McGuire

Carmen Mesa, MWP™Summer Snyder

PROOFREADERBonnie Pickett

PHOTOGRAPHERS5ive15ifteen Photography Dream Art Photography

George Weiss IIIGus Hildebrandt

Katherine Gaiennie Fine PhotographyLongbrook Photography

Yellow Feather Photography

ABC CORPORATE SALESNicole DaSilva

TRAVEL/CVB SALESDavid Wood

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 2017 Wedding Planner Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced with-out written permission from the publishers. Wedding Planner Magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial material. Printed in the U.S.A.

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. Post-master send changes to Wedding Planner Magazine, 400 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Beth [email protected]

Nancy Flottmeyer, PWP™Publisher/Creative [email protected]

David M. Wood, Publisher/President, Association of Bridal Consultants

letter

WEDDING PLANNER MAGAZINE ADVISORY BOARDTonia Adleta, PWP™, Aribella Events - Frank J. Andonoplas, MWP™, Frank Event Design - Alan Berg, CSP®, www.AlanBerg.com - Donnie Brown, CWP™ Donnie Brown Weddings and Events - Merryl Brown, Merryl Brown Events - Mark Kingsdorf, MWP™, Mission Inn Resorts - Carmen Mesa, MWP™, Carmen Mesa Weddings and Events, Inc. - Shelby Tuck-Horton, MWP™, Exquisite Expressions and Events

UPCOMING ISSUE: ANNUAL COLOR TRENDS ISSUE!

There's something special about the beginning of a New Year. It's like opening a new journal to find a crisp, clean page of possibilities, waiting only for you to get started.

The 2017 Association of Bridal Consultants World of Weddings Annual Conference is a little like this feeling. Each year, the planning committee takes a fresh look at the industry and begins creating a conference reflective of the industry and the changes and trends forthcom-ing. In this issue of Wedding Planner Magazine, you'll get to see what we mean in the feature article that offers conference highlights from the November 2017 fiesta in Mexico! Find out what happened at conference, see the gorgeous photos that recap the event, take a peek beind-the-scenes at the "by the numbers" feature—all beginning on page 8.

Don't stop there. Turn to a new page to explore the other possibilities in this issue. Here, you'll find information that might inspire you to new ways of thinking—like Summer Snyder's article on "The Art of the Timeline" or Carrie McGuire's piece on how photographers might better cultivate their relationships with planners. The Knot will inspire you with their top trends for the New Year as well. Seasoned Pro Frank Andonoplas, MWP™, shares how he has managed to stay inspired in his 25-year career. And Megan Ely helps prepare you for whatever 2018 brings with her article exploring the issues planners and pros face in creating events in an era where natural disasters are more prevalent.

In addition, you will find a list of 2018 Industry Conferences, our fabulous Real Weddings feature—three in this issue—as well as all of the other features and columns you've come to know and love.

Happy New Year to each of you! May this year be one of inspiration, exploration, and harmony.

© Melanie Deurkopp Photography




mailto:nancy@wed�dingplannermag.com



http://www.WeddingPlannerMag.com



http://www.AlanBerg.com

WEDDING PLANNER MAGAZINE 7

ABC DIRECTOR LISTINGPresident, David M. Wood III

Director of State Managers, Beverly Ann Bonner, APR, MWP™ [email protected]

Director of Operations, Elayne Anderson [email protected]

Director of Outreach, Jacqueline Vazquez, MWP™

Director of Education, Shelby Tuck-Horton, MWP™ [email protected]

Director of Ethnic Diversity, Lois Pearce, MWP™ [email protected]

Director of Annual Conferences, Carmen Mesa, MWP™ [email protected]

Creative Director, Nancy Flottmeyer, PWP™ [email protected]

Member Services, Nicole DaSilva [email protected]

Membership Services, Annemarie Steiner [email protected]

ABC Office1.860.355.7000, fax 1.203.775.0037, www.BridalAssn.com, 632 Federal Road - Suite 2, Brookfield, CT 06804.

Social Mediawww.facebook.com/AssocBridalConsultants/

ABC CODE OF ETHICS 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.

WHO'S WHO IN THE ABC?

Following a 16-year career in the banking and financial field, FRANK ANDONOPLAS, MWP™, began Frank Event De-sign in 1993. Frank has been the recipient of multiple industry awards, including Special Events Magazine’s

Gala award and 18 Chicago Excellence Awards for his work on weddings and corporate events. He was named event planner of the year in 2014 by Event Solutions/Catersource magazine and was inducted into the Chicago Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame in 2015. He is the recipient of the Association of Bridal Consul-tants Penner Award for passion and excellence in the wedding industry and is also an adjunct professor at DePaul University’s School of Hospitality Leadership. Frank shares a seasoned pro's advice on page 24.

MEGHAN ELY is the owner of wedding PR and market-ing firm OFD Consulting in Richmond, Va. She is a highly sought-after speaker, industry writer, and adjunct professor in PR at Virginia Commonwealth University. She explores plan-

ning in an era of natural disasters on page 18.

KERRY HAWK is the co-owner of Blue Sky Events and Destina-tion Management in Stateline, Nev. Blue Sky Events designs and manages diverse events—from corporate and commu-nity to destination weddings. Kerry explores planning winter

weddings on page 26.

As the style and planning editor of The Knot, ALYSSA LONGOBUCCO’S job involves both the practical and the pretty. She scours the industry for of-the-moment wedding trends in color, décor, florals, stationery, and more, and

helps couples navigate the world of wedding plan-ning. She has a bit of a weakness for pretty paper and loves to try her hand at floral design in her spare time (and okay, sometimes at work, too!). She lives in New York City. She examines trends from The Knot on page 20.

CARRIE MCGUIRE is the owner and lead photographer for Carrie McGuire Photography in Winchester, Calif. She is also an email writer, blogger, and editor. She lives in Teme-cula wine country, but loves to travel. She and her partner,

John, shoot 25-30 weddings annually. She tells us what photographers can do to better their relationship with planners on page 28.

CARMEN MESA, MWP™, is the owner, principal wedding planner, and designer at Carmen Mesa Weddings and Events. She initially launched her event industry career as a corporate event planner in New York City in the early

1980s. She is a long-standing member of the Associa-tion of Bridal Consultants (ABC), has earned the presti-gious title of Master Wedding Planner™, serves as the ABC Florida and Caribbean manager and director of annual conference. She recaps the ABC 2017 annual conference on page 8.

SUMMER SNYDER, CWP™, is a lead wedding and event planner for Weddings by Nancy, based in La Crosse, Wis. She is also a proud member of the Association of Bridal Consultants. Summer came into wedding planning

with more than 10 years of food and beverage, venue management, and bridal retail experience. Summer talks timelines on page 17.

Statement of ownership, management, and circulation1. Publication title: Wedding Planner Magazine2. Publication number: ISSN 2160-32863. Filing date: October 10, 20174. Issue frequency: Bi-monthy5. Issues published annually: 66. Annual subscription rate: $367. Complete mailing address: Wedding Planner Magazine, 400 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 546018. Complete mailing address of Known Office of Publication: same 9. Full names and complete mailing addresses: Publisher: Wedding Planner Magazine, same address; Editor: Beth Erickson (dba Jobe Communications, LLC) 3502 Meadow Lane Place, La Crosse, WI 54601

10. Owners: Nancy Flottmeyer, 2120 S 32nd Street, La Crosse, WI 54601; David Wood, 10 Mountain View, Ridgefield, CT 0667711. Known bondholders: none12. Tax status: N/A13. Wedding Planner Magazine14. Issue date of circulation data: September/October, 201715a. Total number of copies: 220015b. (1) Mailed outside-county Paid: 180015b. (2) Mailed in-county paid: 015b. (3) Paid distribution outside: 015b. (4) Paid distribution by other class: 80015c. Total paid distribution: 220015d. (1) Free / nominal rate outside county: 015d. (2) Free / nominal rate in-county: 0

15d. (3) Free / nominal rate mailed at other classes: 015d. (4) Free / nominal rate distribution outside the mail: 015e. Total free/nominal: 015f. Total distribution: 220015g. Copies not distributed: 015h. Total: 220015i. Percent paid: 64%16a. Paid Electronic Copies: 016b. Total paid print copies: 2200

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material of information on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions. Wedding Planner Magazine, Publisher









http://www.BridalAssn.com

http://www.facebook.com/AssocBridalConsultants/


ABC ANNUAL CONFERENCE | CARMEN MESA, MWP™

2017 ABC WORLD OF WEDDINGS ANNUAL CONFERENCE—A FIESTA OF FUN!

Dancing, dining, adventure, networking, and learning—what's not to love about attending the Annual Conference?Photos © Dream Art Photography

The 2017 Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) Annual Conference and resort

getaway was held in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, at the beautiful Barcelo Maya Grand Palace in the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort, Nov. 6 – 8.

Attendees from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean arrived on Sat-urday, Nov. 4, to a private registration area decorated in the colors of Mexico, where they enjoyed beverages, snacks, and hotel check-in. At the ABC registration desk, they had the opportunity to select a hand-woven conference bag from Ixtapa, adorned with a handmade charm from Chiapas. Cultural elements like these and others were interspersed throughout the week.

LET THE LEARNING COMMENCEEducation began on Monday, Nov. 6, with opening remarks by ABC President David Wood in the Monte Alban Theater. The education portion was kicked off with keynote

speaker, David Caruso of Dynamic Events, Milwaukee, Wis. Caruso spoke about “The Secrets of Success—12 Lessons to Enhance your Career.” His outgoing personality and humble nature were a huge hit with attendees.

General session presentations were given by Kate Patay on “Selling your Brand,” Meryl Snow on “There is No Money in Sales for 2nd Place,” and Danielle Tate on "The Expertise Factor—Us-ing What You Know to Grow.”

Breakout session topics on interfaith wed-dings, social media, marketing, sales, and professional development meant there was something for everyone, regardless of whether they were a seasoned pro or new to the industry. Speakers who shared their knowledge were: Camelu Millan Vargas, MWP™, Diseñno Nupcial, Mexico; Debbi Ballard, Jewish and Interfaith Wedding Insti-tute, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Mari del Carmen Obregon Franco, Efecto Wow, Mexico; Ann Taylor, CWV™, A Chair Affair, Inc., Sanford,

Fla.; Ginia Lucas, MWV™, Y-Knot Party & Rentals, Mesa, Ariz.; Allison Kline-Weichelt MWP™, sash&bow, Little Suamico, Wis.; Cathy MacRae, PWP™, Creative Weddings Planning & Décor, Canada; Tracey Fricke, MWP™, Occasion Designed, Omaha, Neb.; and Dannie Fountain, marketing strategist, Aurora, Ill. Attendees also enjoyed visiting with trade show exhibitors and building re-lationships and contacts for future wedding business in Mexico.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…The Miss Dorothy Penner Heart Award for Pas-sion and Excellence to the Wedding Industry was presented to Sari Skalnik, MWP™, Tropi-cal Weddings, Puerto Rico. She joins 20 other Miss Dorothy Penner Heart award winners since 1997.

Also this year at the ABC conference, five wed-ding industry professionals were named Master Wedding Planners™— the highest designation in the association. The new masters are: Tammy


CONFERENCE BY THE NUMBERS: 186 ABC member attendees 80 Spouses/guests 10 First Time Attendees 19 Masters in Attendance (+ 5 new masters) 16 Sponsors of product or services


Lee-Papia, MWP™, Heavenlee Weddings, Lockport, N.Y.; Veronica Foster, MWP™, Behind the Scenes, Inc., Gibsonville, N.C.; Robyn Bruns, MWP™, Red Letter Event Planning, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Melanie Ramone, MWP™, Luxur Weddings & Events, Mexico; and Jennifer Ball, MWP™, Knot Your Average Events, Whitsett, N.C. To date, the ABC has 67 active Master Wedding Planners™ and seven active Master Wedding Vendors™ worldwide.

GET THE PARTY STARTEDThe Sunday, Nov. 5, opening cocktail recep-tion and dinner was held at Coco’s Beach. The evening involved a fabulous buffet, live entertainment, networking, dancing, and fun. Keynote speaker David Caruso’s birth-day was this day, so the group surprised him with a birthday cake and a mariachi band singing him the Mexican version of “Happy Birthday.”

On Monday evening, attendees could explore on their own and dine at any of the 11 restaurants on the resort, enjoy the sports club and bowling alley, and visit the casino or shops—and they could get there by riding on the complimentary, red double-decker buses that shuttle guests between resorts. For Tuesday’s farewell reception and dinner, the group enjoyed cocktails on the beach and a plated dinner at Captain Morgan, along with live entertainment and dancing.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!It’s time to book next year’s ABC 2018 World of Weddings Annual Conference in your cal-endar. In 2018, it will be held in Tampa Bay, Fla. Nov. 11-13, at the Grand Hyatt. For infor-mation, follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ABCconference and http://www.ABCAnnualConference.com. WPM

__Carmen Mesa, MWP™, Director of Annual Conference/ABC Florida State and Caribbean Manager/Carmen Mesa Weddings and Events, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

IT TAKES A VILLAGEThe Association of Bridal Consultants President David Wood and Director of Annual Confer-ence Carmen Mesa, MWP™, wish to extend their gratitude and sincere thanks to the ABC conference team:Mexico—Camelu Millan, MWP™, ABC Director of Latin America; Brenda Fernandez, MWP™, ABC Director of Cancun and Baja California; Viviana Salgada, ABC Co-Director CancunCorporate—Nicole DaSilva, Elayne Anderson, AnnMarie SteinerHost resort—Barcelo Maya Grand Palace at the Barcelo Maya Beach ResortEvent Sponsors—Dream Art Photography, Godfather Films, Mexico Tourism Board, Cozumel & Riviera Maya Tourism Board, JSAV Mexico, Zuniga Production & Events, PW Events Cancun, Rosy Valdez Productions, Blossom Events & Weddings Design, Eventio, Historias en Papel, Photobooth Riviera Maya, Papeliux Party Studio, Ixtapa Visitors Bureau, and Sandals and Beaches Resorts

ABC ANNUAL CONFERENCE | CARMEN MESA, MWP™

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http://www.facebook.com/ABCconference

http://www.ABCAnnualConference.com

http://www.ABCAnnualConference.com


INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES

“As a destination planner, I see the economy and the age that people marry being a driving force. A more independent mental-ity where couples are paying for more of their wedding is a key factor in designing their perfect day. Smaller, more intimate weddings are becoming the norm, and we adore this trend!”- MICHELLE MARQUIS, WEDDINGS BY MICHELLE MARQUIS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS “I see the trend for weddings using mixed metals— gold and silver. Gold is the strongest element. More weddings are using greenery in their centerpieces, instead of a ball of flowers.Both trends will continue into the new year."GLORIA BOYDEN, MWP™, EVENTS BY DESIGN, INC., CARMEL, IND.

“I am noticing more couples interested in dark, saturated tones. This is not only affecting color palette, floral, and décor choices but also their preferences in photographer and cinema-tographer styles.”- KATHERINE HOGGARD, PWP™, EVENTS BY KATHERINE, IRVINE, CALIF.

“I’ve seen a few changes in the wedding industry. It seems that people are getting married outdoors more often, rather than in a traditional church. More often than not, if the recep-tion is at a place that does not have a hotel nearby, brides and grooms are booking shuttles to get guests back and forth safely after a night of partying. It seems the trend lately is [also] to have a second wave of food midway through the night. Photo booths have been around for a few years, but lately, I’ve seen an uptick in photo booths at weddings [too].”- ALAN REED, TOTAL MUSIC DJ SYSTEMS, ROCHESTER, MINN.

“For 2018, I see a huge emphasis on DJ. Music is finally be-coming important again to couples. It’s not just about spending money on floral and décor, couples want to spend money on entertainment to ensure guests have the overall enjoyable ex-perience. They want someone who knows how to interact with their guests and not just play a list of songs.”- DESI WOJTOWICZ, DESIRABLE EVENTS BY DESI, LAS VEGAS “Our industry will be more influenced by tech in 2018 than ever before. From a business perspective, mobile apps are growing more collaborative and all-inclusive, allowing for easier event organization, and individual businesses are em-phasizing strong online/social media presences. Also, given the current popularity of a personalized guest experience, more media entertainment and unique tech features, like image mapping, will continue to be in high demand.”- NICOLE CHAVEZ, EVSUITE, SAN CARLOS, CALIF.

“The trend in weddings is aimed at the ecological—the desire of the couple to make their wedding an event [that is] friendly to the environment.”- MÓNICA ARTEAGA, VILLA MONICA, PACHACAMAC, LIMA, PÉRU

“[I’m] Seeing more [couples] specifically not inviting children to their celebrations.”- VONDA R. PARKER, BELLA FAIRE, LEESBURG, FLA.

“One of the latest trends I have seen is the move away from the friend or family officiant. By this point, most couples have seen the challenges of having a nonprofessional inserted into a professional environment. Many wedding planners are advis-ing couples to choose a professional rather than a friend. Many venues are now requiring all vendors, including the officiant, to have liability insurance. The bottom line is [that] it’s the reputation of the planner and the venue that is at stake. If a non-professional vendor of any type enters the scene and does not provide top-notch service it can reflect badly on the other vendors. If a nonprofessional officiant messes up the wedding ceremony, it can always be done again right? Not! So recom-mend that your clients choose a professional in every aspect of their wedding. Don’t let them hire someone they can’t fire.”- ALAN KATZ, GREAT OFFICIANTS, LONG BEACH, CALIF.

“We see couples [focusing] on creating amazing and interactive experiences rather than putting so much effort into too many décor details. Couples will want to make their wedding fun and interactive through creative food stations or conversation-al family-style meals instead of the standard buffet or plated catering experience. Paper is out; couples want easy and quick electronic methods for contract signings and payments.”- ABIGAIL OLAYA, VENUE AT THE GROVE, PHOENIX, ARIZ.

“Today’s couples are no longer meeting in the town [in which] they grew up. Instead, they met at college or, possibly, at their job in a state other than the one they grew up in. The days of receiving a wedding invitation with only directions to the house of worship and celebration are long gone. Today, the couple will include at least one to three hotel blocks for their guests. They will include verbiage regarding shuttle transportation, a break-fast post-wedding day, and now many will offer an after party. This has been a tremendous shift in the hotel industry. What I believe has had great influence on the industry and will contin-ue in 2018 is networks like the Food Network or the Cooking Channel, which educate couples regarding food and beverage. We are living in a society with many people who I believe are ‘foodies’ more than the couples of past days where what was offered from caterers/venues was never questioned.”- DEBRA THOMPSON, WEDDINGS BY DEBRA THOMPSON LLC, NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.

“What I see influencing the industry in 2018 is the apprecia-tion of all things technological and tech savvy. Simple wedding enhancements, such as photo booths, are becoming more state-of-the-art, lighting of all kinds has become intrinsic, food isn’t a basic necessity but the main attraction. The more unique and ‘exclusive,’ the more alluring those details have become.”- DALIA ATISHA, CWP™, THE EVENT PLANNER, INC., WEST BLOOMFIELD, MICH.

WHAT DO YOU SEE CHANGING OR INFLUENCING THE WEDDING INDUSTRY IN 2018?


The Special Event Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 New Orleans Premium pkg - $1,395; additional rates available Event Professionals Yes Education Courses and

TradeshowContinuing Education, Certification, Networking

ILEA & NACE 1x/year http://www.thespecialeventshow.com/tse18/Public/

Enter.aspx

Halloween Party & Expo Jan. 12 -15 New Orleans not listed Party Planners Yes Tradeshow, Roundtables, Panels, and Demos Tradeshow 1x/year https://www.halloweenpartyexpo.com/16/hallow-

een-party-expo-home.htm

CaterSource Feb. 18 - 21 Las Vegas $999 Caterers Yes Education Courses and Tradeshow

Continuing Education, Certification, Networking

Event Solu-tions

1x/year http://conference.catersource.com/

Get Swanky Experience March 4 - 7 Austin, Texas $2,800Planners, Designers, Pho-tographers, Stationery Designers

No Hands-on workshops with curated professionals

Workshops, Networking, All-Inclusive 1x/year www.getswankyexperience.com

National Bridal Market March 18 - 20; Sept. 15 - 17 Chicago Unavailable at press time Buyers, Designers No Bridal fashion shows/trends Trend Watching 2x/year www.nationalbridalmarket.com

Destination Wedding Planners Congress April 10 -12 Los Cabos, Mexico Unavailable at press time Event professionals Yes Education Courses, Tradeshow,

and GalaContinuting Education, Networking

QNA Interna-tional

1x/year http://www.destinationweddingcongress.com

David Tutera's Event Planning Symposium April 23 - 25 Santa Monica, Calif. $3,250 Planners, Designers,

Event Professionals No

Education sessions, morning yoga, some meals, welcome cocktail, special dinner, final event

David Tutera Hosts, Network-ing, Continuing Education 1x/year https://www.davidtuterasymposium.com

Exotic Wedding Planning Conference

April 29 -30; July 5 - 6; TBA Dubai; Goa, India; Europe Invitation only Planners, Designers Yes Education Courses and

TradeshowContinuing Education, Networking 3x/year http://www.weddingplanningconference.com

BizBash Live: The Expo May 16, July 18, Fall

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Los Angeles; New York - additional events TBA in Chicago, Toronto, & Washington, D.C.

$49 - $525 Event Professionals Yes Education Courses and Tradeshow

Varies, Depending Upon Package Chosen Various https://www.bizbash.com/bizbash-events/

National Stationery Show May 20 -23 New York, NY Free for qualified buyers Designers, Retail Yes Tradeshow Trend Watching 1x/year http://nationalstationeryshow.com/

engage! Spring & Fall various not yet releasedEvent Professionals working with high value couples

No Education Courses, Meals, Gala Continuing Education 2x/year http://engagesummits.com/

Let's Plan Conference July 18 -19 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $1,199 - $1,999 Event Professionals No Education, Black Diamond Yacht Party, Perks Vary Depend-ing Upon Package Chosen

Limited to 75 Attendees, Education, Networking 1x/year https://www.letsplanconference.com

Experience! 2014 July 22 - 25 Palm Springs, Calif. not yet released Caterers, event professionals Yes Education Courses and Tradeshow

Continuing Education, Certification, Networking NACE 1x/year http://www.nace.net/experience2018

ILEA Live August 16 - 18 Denver not yet released Event Professionals No Education Courses Continuing Education, Certification, Networking ILEA 1x/year http://www.ilealive.com

WeddingWire World TBA TBA $449 Event Professionals No Education Courses, Some Meals Continuing Education 1x/year http://www.weddingwireworld.com/

The Event Planner Expo Oct. 3 New York, NY $39 - $69 Event Professionals Yes Tradeshow & Education 150 Exhibitors, Education 1x/year www.theeventplannerexpo.com

Wedding MBA Nov. 6 - 8 Las Vegas, NV $399 Event Professionals Yes Education Courses Continuing Education, Networking AFWPI 1x/year http://www.weddingmba.com/

Be Sage Conference TBA TBA $1,800 Event Professionals No Education Courses Continuing Education http://www.besageconference.com

ABC Annual Conference Nov. 11 -13 Tampa, Fla. Unavailable at press time Event Professionals Yes Education Courses, Tradeshow, Some Meals

Continuing Education, Certification, Networking ABC 1x/year http://www.abcannualconference.com/

CONFEREN

CE

DATE

LOCATIO

N

PRIC

E

AUDIENCE

TRADES

HOW

YOUR 2018 WEDDING INDUSTRY CONFERENCE GUIDEIf you make (and keep) one New Year’s Resolution this year, let it be this: Attend at least one national conference. Why? To keep up with the latest industry trends, stay on top of your game, share your knowledge, and network with other pros. Use this handy chart as a guide to make your 2018 continuing education plans. And don’t forget to sign up early to get the best deal with early-bird discounts!

CLIP-AND-SAVE | BETH ERICKSON


WHAT'S

IN

CLUDED

REASON

TO ATT

END

ASSOCIATIO

N

FREQ

UENCY

WEB

SITE

The Special Event Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 New Orleans Premium pkg - $1,395; additional rates available Event Professionals Yes Education Courses and

TradeshowContinuing Education, Certification, Networking

ILEA & NACE 1x/year http://www.thespecialeventshow.com/tse18/Public/

Enter.aspx

Halloween Party & Expo Jan. 12 -15 New Orleans not listed Party Planners Yes Tradeshow, Roundtables, Panels, and Demos Tradeshow 1x/year https://www.halloweenpartyexpo.com/16/hallow-

een-party-expo-home.htm

CaterSource Feb. 18 - 21 Las Vegas $999 Caterers Yes Education Courses and Tradeshow

Continuing Education, Certification, Networking

Event Solu-tions

1x/year http://conference.catersource.com/

Get Swanky Experience March 4 - 7 Austin, Texas $2,800Planners, Designers, Pho-tographers, Stationery Designers

No Hands-on workshops with curated professionals

Workshops, Networking, All-Inclusive 1x/year www.getswankyexperience.com

National Bridal Market March 18 - 20; Sept. 15 - 17 Chicago Unavailable at press time Buyers, Designers No Bridal fashion shows/trends Trend Watching 2x/year www.nationalbridalmarket.com

Destination Wedding Planners Congress April 10 -12 Los Cabos, Mexico Unavailable at press time Event professionals Yes Education Courses, Tradeshow,

and GalaContinuting Education, Networking

QNA Interna-tional

1x/year http://www.destinationweddingcongress.com

David Tutera's Event Planning Symposium April 23 - 25 Santa Monica, Calif. $3,250 Planners, Designers,

Event Professionals No

Education sessions, morning yoga, some meals, welcome cocktail, special dinner, final event

David Tutera Hosts, Network-ing, Continuing Education 1x/year https://www.davidtuterasymposium.com

Exotic Wedding Planning Conference

April 29 -30; July 5 - 6; TBA Dubai; Goa, India; Europe Invitation only Planners, Designers Yes Education Courses and

TradeshowContinuing Education, Networking 3x/year http://www.weddingplanningconference.com

BizBash Live: The Expo May 16, July 18, Fall

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Los Angeles; New York - additional events TBA in Chicago, Toronto, & Washington, D.C.

$49 - $525 Event Professionals Yes Education Courses and Tradeshow

Varies, Depending Upon Package Chosen Various https://www.bizbash.com/bizbash-events/

National Stationery Show May 20 -23 New York, NY Free for qualified buyers Designers, Retail Yes Tradeshow Trend Watching 1x/year http://nationalstationeryshow.com/

engage! Spring & Fall various not yet releasedEvent Professionals working with high value couples

No Education Courses, Meals, Gala Continuing Education 2x/year http://engagesummits.com/

Let's Plan Conference July 18 -19 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. $1,199 - $1,999 Event Professionals No Education, Black Diamond Yacht Party, Perks Vary Depend-ing Upon Package Chosen

Limited to 75 Attendees, Education, Networking 1x/year https://www.letsplanconference.com

Experience! 2014 July 22 - 25 Palm Springs, Calif. not yet released Caterers, event professionals Yes Education Courses and Tradeshow

Continuing Education, Certification, Networking NACE 1x/year http://www.nace.net/experience2018

ILEA Live August 16 - 18 Denver not yet released Event Professionals No Education Courses Continuing Education, Certification, Networking ILEA 1x/year http://www.ilealive.com

WeddingWire World TBA TBA $449 Event Professionals No Education Courses, Some Meals Continuing Education 1x/year http://www.weddingwireworld.com/

The Event Planner Expo Oct. 3 New York, NY $39 - $69 Event Professionals Yes Tradeshow & Education 150 Exhibitors, Education 1x/year www.theeventplannerexpo.com

Wedding MBA Nov. 6 - 8 Las Vegas, NV $399 Event Professionals Yes Education Courses Continuing Education, Networking AFWPI 1x/year http://www.weddingmba.com/

Be Sage Conference TBA TBA $1,800 Event Professionals No Education Courses Continuing Education http://www.besageconference.com

ABC Annual Conference Nov. 11 -13 Tampa, Fla. Unavailable at press time Event Professionals Yes Education Courses, Tradeshow, Some Meals

Continuing Education, Certification, Networking ABC 1x/year http://www.abcannualconference.com/

http://www.thespecialeventshow.com/tse18/Public/Enter.aspx

http://www.thespecialeventshow.com/tse18/Public/Enter.aspx

https://www.halloweenpartyexpo.com/16/hallow�een-party-expo-home.htm



http://conference.catersource.com/

http://www.getswankyexperience.com

http://www.nationalbridalmarket.com

http://www.destinationweddingcongress.com

https://www.davidtuterasymposium.com

http://www.weddingplanningconference.com

https://www.bizbash.com/bizbash-events/

http://nationalstationeryshow.com/

http://engagesummits.com/

https://www.letsplanconference.com

http://www.nace.net/experience2018

http://www.ilealive.com

http://www.weddingwireworld.com/

http://www.theeventplannerexpo.com

http://www.weddingmba.com/

http://www.besageconference.com

http://www.abcannualconference.com/


ASK THE EXPERTS

Q: STYLING FLOWERS AND DECORATION HIRE ARE A SIGNIFICANT INCOME STREAM FOR SOME WEDDING PLANNING AGENCIES; HOW DO YOU CONVINCE CLIENTS NOT TO BYO DECORATIONS AND FLOWERS? WE SHARE STORIES OF EXPLODING CANDLE-HOLDERS, LEAKING VASES, AND WAX DAMAGES TO HISTORICAL PROTECTED VENUES, BUT THIS DOESN’T SEEM TO DETER COUPLES WHO THINK THEY CAN SAVE MONEY THROUGH BYO.- Melina Nicholson, Cinque Terre Wedding, Monterosso, Italy

“Honestly? Sometimes you can’t. As Michael Port says, ‘There are those you’re meant to serve, and others? Not so much.’ There’s only so much that we, as the trusted advisors and wedding experts can do, and convincing our clients to act as we’d like isn’t always in our control. In this instance, I’d highly recommend having the clients sign a waiver, or include a similar clause in your contract, that states that they are making a choice against your professional advice. Especially for décor matters; if something goes wrong, it’s often the planner that would need to fix it. Decide—before anything happens—what the plan of action will be, who is responsible for what, financially, practically, etc. (For example, are you approved to replace a broken décor item and then be reimbursed?)”

- Tonia

“There are several ways to avoid the BYO or DIY client. One way is to establish a minimum event budget for your company that would allow your team of professionals to do the job. When you explain to poten-tial clients what you can do for them, let them know your minimum budget and what they will get. If a budget is too small, many clients are left with limited options and this is why they want to cut costs by doing things themselves. Leave those events for planners who don’t mind the BYO clients. Another way to avoid this is to interview clients when they interview you. If they say that they intend to do this, believe them. If you offer alternative solutions, and they don’t seem interested, pass on those events.”

- Merryl

"It's part of my contract. They need to hire vendors that I recommend and trust."

- Frank

“I find that many couples get excited about their wedding-planning process and may start to make purchases, because they think it will save money. I find it helpful to educate couples on how to make the most effective and cost-saving purchases for their weddings. This can be done through your newsletter, blog, social media posts, or in your client meetings. I also point out how making some of these pur-chases—without an overall design plan or without adhering to safety codes—could cost them more money than it could save money.”

- Shelby

Q: I’M WONDERING IF VENUES ADD A GRATUITY TO THEIR IN-VOICE. HOW ARE GRATUITIES HANDLED FOR THEIR STAFF?- Donna Justin, Justin Trails Resort, Sparta, Wis.

“The best way to find out is to read the contract, line by line. In my area, we have a number of different types of properties and types of contracts—some historical venues that are managed solely by an exclusive catering company, some that are managed by a township that owns the property and has no catering ties, some that have a ‘preferred’ list (that is actually exclusive), and some that are truly just preferred. Become well versed in the various combinations to under-stand who is responsible for what, especially when it comes to staffing and the corresponding gratuity.”

- Tonia

“None of the venues that we work with add a gratuity to their invoice. Our clients typically give cash to the Captain, the bartenders, and a lump amount to the Captain to disburse amongst the team.”

- Merryl

“Hotels will always add on a ‘service charge,’ which is gratuity for the staff. Some caterers do as well. Most clients ask about tipping, so I put together a suggestion sheet.”

- Frank

“Some venues may add a mandatory gratuity to their contract. However, in most cases, I find that there is a service charge—usually based on a percentage—but providing a gratuity is usually based on exceptional service. Be sure to read the contract carefully to know if the venue requires a mandatory gratuity to be added to the invoice.”

- Shelby

Merryl BrownMerryl Brown Events

Frank J. Andonoplas, MWP™ Frank Event Design

Tonia Adleta Aribella Events

Shelby Tuck-Horton, MWP™Exquisite Expressions

and Events

Do you have a question? Ask our experts by emailing your ques-tion, along with your name, designation, business name, city, and state to [email protected]. Be sure to put "Ask the Experts" in the subject line.


Wedding Planner

MAGAZINESEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017


BREAKING DOWN THE BUDGET...CLOSING THE DEAL..

THE BUSINESS OF TASTINGS...PUTTING PRIDE IN PERSPECTIVE


Q: WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST LIFE-CHANGING CONFERENCE (BUSINESS-RELATED) OF YOUR CAREER?Sonia Hernandez, CWP™, Clarity and Class, Upper Marlboro, Md.

“All of them. I am a huge advocate of personal and professional development. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it all day long—you are the glue that holds your world together. Regardless of which role you happen to play in that moment, you, as a whole, are strengthened from both personal and professional development. If you ‘show up’ and engage in the event and are willing to be vulnerable and intentional with your time and energy, it’s impossible to stay the same as when you arrived. My favorite conferences and events tend to be those where true friendship is found and strengthened, with a mix of personal and professional takeaways, and in which the community creates a momentum of energy, connection, and collaboration. (And full disclosure, I’m getting ready to release the Well Lived Life dates for 2018 and 2019 soon, so I’m a little biased about these kinds of things! Find out more at www.toniaadleta.com.)”

- Tonia

“When I first started my company, I went to the International Live Events Association conferences annually. They were truly life-chang-ing! I made great contacts and got so much out of them. They are excellent in terms of education and have several tracks depending on your level of experience and area of interest.”

- Merryl

“The Special Event when I won the Gala Award for Best Wedding.” - Frank

“Throughout my career, I have attended many conferences. I find that I enjoy the smaller, more intimate conferences, such as the Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Conference. It was the first conference I ever attended as a wedding professional. It is easy to interact with the speakers after their presentations, to ask any addi-tional questions. It’s also great for building meaningful relationships with other attendees. I know some of my associates prefer larger conferences, i.e. Wedding MBA and WeddingWire World, where there are more speakers and attendees. I have also attended local conferences with less than 100 attendees and about 15 speakers that included both wedding and business professionals that proved to be very beneficial to my business growth.”

- Shelby



ABC ANNUAL CONFERENCE RECAP...2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE GUIDE... HOLIDAY DÉCOR PLANNING...OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO SUCCESS...

THE DETAILS OF USING DRONES...TRANSITION FROM WEDDINGS TO EVENTS

Wedding Planner MAGAZINENOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016


TRENDING WEDDING DESIGNERS...CLIENT WELCOME GIFTS...

THE LATEST DESIGN TRENDS...SUCCESSION PLANNING...

SELECTING A VENDOR TEAM...COMMUNICATING COMPANY CHANGES

Wedding Planner Magazine is an industry-wide magazine —reaching more

than 3,000 wedding industry professionals every other month.

INCLUDE US IN YOUR MEDIA MIX AS YOU PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

TO THE WEDDING INDUSTRY!

CALL OR EMAIL TODAY!!

REQUEST A MEDIA KITINQUIRIES: NANCY FLOTTMEYER, PWP™

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CELEBRATING NEARLY 7 YEARS!




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ASSOCIATION OF BRIDAL CONSULTANTS MEMBER NEWS

ABC News

AchievementsDonna Brian, MWP™, Love in Bloom, Shreveport, La., won "Best Wed-ding Planner" by SB Magazine and was voted "Locals Love Us—Best Wedding Planner" in the Shreveport Bossier.

Tracy Dapp, PWP™, and Inked Events, Salem, N.H., were nominat-ed for the third straight year for the 2017 New Hampshire A-List Best Wedding Planner.

Melissa Fife, PWP™, Events by Missy & Company, White Plains, N.Y., launched an online course for the savvy couple. The course is an alternative to hiring a wedding planner and offers key principals to planning a wedding at an affordable cost.

JoAnn Moore, MWP™, CWC, CGWP, CSS, Mountains and Meadows DBA JoAnn Moore Weddings & Events, Vail, Colo., has been se-lected to be a speaker at The Special Event in New Orleans in January and at the Wedding MBA in Las Vegas in 2018.

Chezelle Rodriguez, CD Weddings, Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, a destina-tion wedding specialist and event designer, will be speaking at The Special Event conference on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

In the MediaGail Johnson, MWP™, Gail Johnson Weddings & Events, Decatur, Ga., was featured in an article called, “Progressive Rehearsal Dinner: What Is It & How to Host One,” published in Brides Magazine on Oct. 9. Find it online at https://www.brides.com/story/progressive-rehearsal-dinner.

New Book Tells Planner SecretsSherece S. Fullerton, Sincerely Rece, LLC, Silver Spring, Md., is the co-author of the re-cently published, first-ever planners antholo-gy called Planners Unplugged: Secrets of the World’s Greatest Event Planners.

Eighteen industry pros spill secrets from both their personal and professional obstacles. “Owning their power and ignoring their fears, these women share how they’ve overcome life’s not-so-pleasant moments to

regain harmony and balance in their lives,” says Fullerton. Contributing co-authors include Jamesa Adams, Tortica Anderson, Jennifer Lloyd Ball, Shaun Cox, Candice Denise, Athena DeVonne, Sherece Fullerton, Shanae Hall, Marian Hilliard, Ashley Johnson, Can-dace Joy, Ivori Lipscomb-Warren, Crystal Marie, Gail Prescott, Allison Smith, Irene Tyndale, and and Elana Walker.

DesignationsMASTER WEDDING PLANNERS (ABOVE L TO R)Melanie Ramone, Luxur Weddings & Events, MexicoRobyn Bruns, Red Letter Event Planning, Coeur d’Alene, IDJennifer Ball, Knot Your Average Events, Whitsett, N.C.Tammy Lee-Papia, Heavenlee Weddings, Lockport, N.Y.Veronica Foster, Behind the Scenes, Inc., Gibsonville, N.C.

PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PLANNER™Paula Abreu Carrasco, Paula Abreu Weddings & Events, MexicoLynn D’Ascanio, D’Asigner Events, LLC, Marathon, Fla.Robin Gardner-Jones, About the Details, Bronz, N.Y.

Have ABC news to share? Tell your peers!

Email [email protected]


ASSOCIATION OF BRIDAL CONSULTANTS MEMBER NEWS

AchievementsAlan Katz, Great Officiants, Long

Beach, Calif., is excited to announce

that his company has set a new mile-

stone in their number of reviews with

700 reviews on WeddingWire, 400

Reviews on The Knot, and 400 reviews

on Yelp. Katz is affectionately called

the “King of Reviews.” He also spoke at

Wedding MBA 2017 in October on this

very topic. Picture by happy photos.

JoAnn Moore, CWC, MWP™, CGWP,

CSS, Mountains and Meadows, Wed-

dings and Events DBA JoAnn Moore

Weddings, Vail, Colo., and Lake

Tahoe, Calif., will be a guest speaker

at The Special Event conference in

New Orleans on Jan. 31, 2018. She will

be part of the Wedding Track series.

Her topic is, “Rehearsal Dinners, Tips,

Tricks and Etiquette.”

Love in Bloom, Shreveport, La., won a

double category with www.LocalsLoveUs.

com in both Wedding/Event Planners

and Wedding Supplies and Services.

David Cole Snook, CWP™, owner

and lead planner of Mx2 Event

Design, Harrisburg, Pa., is pleased to

announce his company was recently

recognized and awarded “Reader’s

Choice 2017” Best Wedding Planner/

Designer by the readers of Harris-

burg Magazine. Mx2 Event Design’s

achievement was published in the

August edition of Harrisburg Mag-

azine as well as announced at the

annual “Simply The Best” Gala on August 31. Pictured: Mx2 Event De-

sign’s Team: Wedding Coordinator Maria Achenbach and Owner/

Lead Planner David Cole Snook, CWP™.

Triniweddings has been named “Wedding

Specialist of the Year 2017” by the Luxu-

ry Travel Guide (LTG), which recognizes

excellence across all sectors of the travel and

tourism industry in Europe, The Americas,

Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Triniweddings is owned by Marilyn Duncan

Wiltshire, CWP™, who is also a certified San-

dals Specialist.

DesignationsASSOCIATED WEDDING PLANNER™

Jennifer Ball, Knot Your Average Events, Whitsett, N.C.

Victoria Lawson, Simply Divine Weddings and Events, District Heights, Md.

Celia Bezares Matus, Col Concepcion la Cruz, San Andrés Cholula,

Puebla, Mexico

PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PLANNER™

Susanne Marsidi, Magic Moments Weddings & Events, Union City, Tenn.

Trendsetters Conference is March 23-25The Southeastern states of the Association of Bridal Conference (ABC)

are proud to announce the upcoming regional conference: Trendset-

ters, organized by me, the Louisiana state manager, in collaboration

with state managers from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,

Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. The conference will be held

on the weekend of March 23 to March 25, 2018, at Renaissance Pere

Marquette in New Orleans.

We invite you to celebrate local favorites and featured speakers who

are setting the tone for wedding trends across the world. Our regional

conference will focus on captivating presentations, catering trends, and

most importantly, what’s happening around you. The weekend will be

full of wedding industry speakers, certifications, delicious New Orleans

cuisine, and better yet, jazz music!

If you missed the ABC’s International Conference in 2016, then you

are in in for a treat! You may remember him from “Whose Wedding

is it Anyway” on the Style Network, which he starred in for 11 seasons,

so mark your calendar and get ready because Donnie Brown is our

keynote speaker! Brown is one of the leading wedding and event plan-

ners in the industry today. He has been in the industry for more than

three decades, helping transform how we see weddings.

In addition, if you’re ready to sell honeymoons and/or destination

weddings, Sunday morning we will share the inside scoop and help

you gain certification/recertification through Sandals’ All Inclusive

Resorts. Register for Trendsetters at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/

abc-southeastern-regional-conference-tickets-34858296102. For further

questions regarding the event, please contact me at kayla@moon-

lightandlace.us. __Kayla Jackson, AWP™, Moonlight & Lace Weddings and Events, LLC, Mansfield, La.

ABC Japan Conference Focused on Social Networking ServicesKevin Yoshi Kohara, MWV™, director of Asian Markets for the Asso-ciation of Bridal Consultants (ABC), arranged the 16th Annual ABC Japan Conference on August 29 in Tokyo. The theme of the Confer-ence was a “New Generation Who Enjoy SNS (Social Networking Services).”

Kohara knows the Japan market will be soon influenced by new generations who enjoy Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc., like the U.S. market. With this expectation, he invited several speakers who are key people in the trending SNS world. He also invited successful Japanese blogger brides so industry people could learn how those brides prepared their weddings using the Internet and social media. One presenter focused on an online business model reflecting social media and also instructed what kind of photos are favored and what kind of Facebook comments are more interesting for recent brides. Kohara introduced recent American wedding trends and introduced several American successful blogger brides, such as Whitney Bischoff, a blogger at Style Me Pretty and former contestant on “The Bachelor” TV program. Another main speaker was David M. Wood, president of the ABC. His last visit to Japan Annual Conference was in 2013. Wood appreciated to Kohara’s continuous efforts for the ABC and all staff who works at ABC Japan office. Kohara says, “David’s introduction of ABC was significant for all ABC members, and I hope his appearance at conference gave our members much to be proud of.”

Twelve lucky Association of Bridal Consultant (ABC) Virginia and Maryland attendees had the time of their lives at the 2017 Mid-Atlan-tic ABC Sandals FAM from July 26 - August 1. They toured the seven Sandals, two Beaches, one Grand Pineapple, and the Sandals Golf Course in Jamaica, and took their annual Certified Sandals Specialist certification or re-certification. ABC Virginia state manager Connie Amos-Parsons also developed a workshop that she taught there, “Fo-cus—Learning To Achieve Your Objective.” Ryan Stinchcomb, Virginia and West Virginia business development manager, accompanied. The group learned much and some attendees have already booked several Sandals and Beaches events within weeks of attending. The photo was submitted by At Your Service Events Planner LLC, a wed-ding and events planner.

An Indoor Sidewalk Sale for Your Brides this NovemberThe Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, The Knot, Wedding-Wire, and several other groups are supporting something new from locally-owned independent bridal retailers—an indoor sidewalk sale. Just in time for Thanksgiving, the beginning of the engagement season, brides can shop for designer wedding gowns and wedding party dresses at substantial savings at hundreds of locally-owned independent bridal retailers throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“Each participating store will offer something different in terms of merchandise, selection, and price,” says event coordinator Sue Maslowski, owner of Jay West Bridal in Haddonfield, N.J., “but brides everywhere benefit. They will be buying from a reputable, full-service salon where they can see and touch exactly what they are getting. No unpleasant surprises from counterfeit gowns purchased online. Brides take home the dress of their dreams that very day, no waiting or delays!”

For more information and links to participating retailers, brides can go to www.IndoorSidewalkSale.com. By November, the list, which grows daily, will include nearly 500 stores. Interested retailers register for the event at www.IndoorSidewalkSale.com/register. An AWGS coupon good towards gown cleaning and preservation is available at www.IndoorSidewalkSale.com/special-offer. WPM


https://www.brides.com/story/progressive-rehearsal-dinner


http://www.LocalsLoveUs

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/




http://www.IndoorSidewalkSale.com

http://www.IndoorSidewalkSale.com/register

http://www.IndoorSidewalkSale.com/special-offer


BUSINESS BASICS | SUMMER SNYDER, CWP™

The bride’s immediate family shows up 45 minutes late to the ceremony, dinner service

is running twice as long as expected, and one vendor didn’t seem to read your timeline—these are among the countless scenarios that throw off the wedding-day timeline. What should be focused on in the process to prevent these mis-haps and guarantee your hard work is useful and utilized by the vendor team?

1. ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATIONWhile building the shell of the timeline, there are key components to consider. Brit Bertino, Brit Bertino Event Excellence, Las Vegas, says the most efficient way to build the timeline is to “start with the ceremony time and work backwards into building the setup, arrivals, and elements leading up to the ceremony.” Once the ceremony time has been estab-lished, reinforce to all involved—including the couple—that this will be the actual start time. Reverend Clint Hufft, a celebrity officiant in Los Angeles, says, “A trend recently has been the notion of the start time of the ceremony being 30 minutes or so later than the time listed on the invitation.” Why? The couple may be worried a close relative or important guest is likely to be late and is trying to avoid starting the ceremony late or in their absence.

While a faux start time may seem like a perfect solution, Hufft offers a useful approach to maneu-ver around potential late guests while maintaining the integrity of the day—advise the couple to reach out to those guests and say, “You mean the world to me, I am so honored you will be there for my wedding day. I was wondering if you could be there early to help with ….” By honoring the guests and giving them a task, they have a reason to be there early and the ceremony is much more likely to start as noted.

2. COLLABORATE AND LISTENMany planners require the vendor team to ac-knowledge and approve the timeline prior to execution. What is the best way to guarantee this? Begin building the shell of the timeline immediately in the planning process. Tommy

Waters, owner of the Renaissance, Richmond, Va., encourages planners to “be transparent with the timeline from the very beginning—and share it with your vendors!” This strategy places the team on the same page from the start. As new vendors are added to the team, they are introduced immediately to the flow of the wedding day and will begin to work through how this translates to their center of focus. Emphasize the need for preliminary and ongoing feedback.

Utilize the key vendors as a resource in devel-oping the preliminary schedule by asking as many questions as possible:• What will make their load-in difficult or

time-consuming? • Does the caterer have the appropriate

amount of time allotted for dinner service? • How does this change if courses or wine

pours are added? • What does the florist need to set up success-

fully and efficiently? • Does the photographer have a special time

of day they like to capture photos, such as sunset or golden hour?

• It may be even as simple as asking, “How do you normally operate?”

If the planner is able to figure out what the preference is first, then she or he can help re-vise as needed, and the vendor may be more likely to stick to the timeline since the vendor was part of its development.

Andrea Eppolito, of Andrea Eppolito Events in Las Vegas, finds that each vendor likely has his or her own agenda and initially may not see the big picture or your expectations. “Don’t assume everyone will know what you want based on your perception of industry standards. If you have an expectation, note it clearly, and review your timeline with your team,” she says. In sharing the timeline early and collaboratively, everyone is on the same page, while potential mishaps may be caught and avoided, allowing less need to put out fires on the wedding day.

3. ADD THE FINAL TOUCHESFind a system for organizing the timeline that is useful to the team. Dee Gaubert, No Worries Event Planning, Los Angeles, says, “A mistake in the beginning, for me, was includ-ing too much information. Find a working tem-plate that is concise and readable. Consider keeping your team's production separate.”

In addition to a production schedule and timeline, treat the document as a general reference sheet for the vendor team by including other key elements. Gaubert suggests, including a call sheet—with vendor contact information and roles. Eppolito suggests keeping “a photo of the couple and vendor social media handles. The photos help partners and their employees identify the couple, while the social media handles help ensure that everyone is credited when the work is shared.” WPM

__Summer Snyder, CWP™, Weddings by Nancy, La Crosse, Wis.

DIGITAL TIMELINE TOOLS The following tools may be useful resources for establishing your timelines:Timeline Genius (www.timelinegenius.com): Has customizable timeline templates and vendor contact “Rolodex”, pay per timeline or annual unlimited subscription, web-based with client access options.

Aisle Planner (www.aisleplanner.com): Full planning features including checklists, bud-gets, timelines, guest list management, design boards, and more; business Management/CRM tools; subscription; based packages; web-based with client and vendor access options.

All Seated (www.allseated.com): 3D custom floor plans, design tools, guest list manage-ment and timelines, and custom reports; free under 10 events/year or subscription-based packages; web-based with client and vendor access options. WPM

THE ART OF THE TIMELINEHow can you anticipate and prevent snafus during your

weddings and events? Create a solid timeline with a strong foundation and collaborative efforts.

http://www.timelinegenius.com):

http://www.aisleplanner.com):

http://www.allseated.com):


If you’ve been in the wedding industry for more than a moment, you know that natural disasters are major threats to your event business.

This wedding season, in particular, has been marked by catastrophes completely outside of our control. The wildfires in Napa, flooded streets of Houston, and hurricane devastation in Puerto Rico, among others, couldn’t be predicted with enough accuracy to allow couples to avoid them completely. However, seasoned wedding pros and even well-prepared newcomers can take early actions to mitigate the damage and minimize the impact of future crises like these on their couples’ big days.

WHAT’S THE IMPACT?The impact of natural disasters on the wedding industry can range from minor irritations to total upheaval. On the “manageable” side, outdoor events may need to be moved indoors during hurricanes or lightning strikes, or completely relocated to a nearby venue or town if an area has lost power and generators are unavailable or impractical.

Often, extreme weather is a considerable inconvenience to out-of-town guests who may not be able to travel to an area when airports or roads are closed. This effect is magnified by true, disaster-level interference when even a couple may not be able to reach their wedding destination.

Of course, situations like the hurricanes that decimated Puerto Rico this year are far worse than inconveniences. Whole communities are

lost, and after the initial human impact is addressed, there are real consequences that follow to the businesses in that region. Resorts that relied on the destination wedding industry have had to close, leaving employees without livelihoods—and clients potentially without a venue and possible financial losses if deposits can’t be returned or tickets re-main non-refundable. How you help manage the situation can have a real impact on your bottom line.

THE EFFECT IN REAL LIFE SITUATIONSEmily Sullivan, Emily Sullivan Events, New Orleans, most frequently faces the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. “A good percentage of my events are associated with indoor/outdoor space, so many times being prepared involves moving the ceremony location and coming up with a backup plan. Recently, however, we were faced with a city curfew, which meant that all of our events had to be moved to earlier times,” says Sulli-van. For multiple events, she and her team had to coordinate the logistics of rescheduling all vendors and notifying both clients and guests about the changes to ensure that everything ultimately ran smoothly.

Lisa Anhaiser, owner of LBL Event Rentals in Houston, Texas, encoun-tered a situation that is generally unique to weddings when her bride simply refused to believe that a severe weather situation was a threat. “The closer we got to the wedding, the more obstinate the bride became,” says Anhaiser. She attempted to reason with her client, and required the couple to accept full financial responsibility and liability if the safety of her team was jeopardized. The couple ultimately de-

ARE YOU READY FOR ANYTHING? PLANNING IN AN ERA OF NATURAL DISASTERS

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria made big headlines in 2017. What is it like to be planning and running events in communities with such natural disasters?

Find out and learn how to prepare.

FEATURE

Cocoon Events

cided to marry at home. On the wedding day, Hurricane Ike caused billions of dollars worth of damage to the Houston area and nearly wiped out nearby Galveston.

Claudia De Velasco, owner of Houston-based A Day to Remember, recently had a client whose venue ended up completely underwater after Hurricane Harvey—with only a two-and-a-half month lead time until the event. “We moved quickly to get our couple into another venue of equal or greater quality,” says De Velasco. Another of her Harvey-timed weddings had delivery issues over a week after the hur-ricane passed, but “we pulled through, almost seamlessly,” she adds.

ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLANThe first line of defense against the impact of natural disasters is a solid Plan B. As you monitor conditions, make sure that you have every aspect of an alternative plan mapped out, and be prepared to communicate changes to every vendor, client, and guest, so no one is left out of the loop.

Sari Skalnik, MWP™, and owner of Tropical Weddings in Puerto Rico, recently faced two Category 5 hurricanes within two weeks of each other. “Communication with our couples was key,” says Skalnik. “We spoke with couples prior to and after Hurricane Irma. Before Hurri-cane Maria, we reached out to each couple to let them know that we would be in touch as soon as we could after the storm. Little did we know that it would take us three weeks to begin to contact our cou-

ples again. Thankfully, because we had spoken with all of them prior to the storm, most were just concerned for our well being and had no plans to cancel their events (although some did).”

ANTICIPATE LINGERING EFFECTSMany of our pros experienced psychologically driven consumer effects long after their region’s major disaster. They cited couples' fears of committing too early to a wedding date, hoping to wait until weather predictions could be made more accurately. Susan South-erland, president of Just Events! Group in Florida, says she “definitely notices a reduction in bookings the first year after a hurricane. After the one-year anniversary, things tend to go back to normal. We also notice that we get a lot more questions about our contingency plans in case of a hurricane.”

THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIMESNot everything that comes out of adversity is bad. Many industry pros have faced great challenges only to find that they are part of a strong, supportive global community. Sullivan, for example, saw a bright side after one of the worst recent natural disasters to hit New Orleans. “Following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans saw a great wedding boom from people who really wanted to celebrate our city and give back to our economy.” Not a bad takeaway for an industry made possible by love!__Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting, Richmond, Va.



FEATURE

#BESTDAYEVER—THE KNOT’S TIPS FOR WEDDING TRENDS

At The Knot, we spend a lot of time watching what trends and moments are clicking with couples and looking for what’s next on

the horizon. Here are the so-right-now trends we’re loving, along with our tips for how to help your couples score their #BestDayEver.

HIRE EXCEPTIONAL ENTERTAINMENT Encourage guests to engage with their surroundings throughout the wedding night by hiring a few standout vendors to interact with the group while they’re serving, feeding, or pouring for them. A flair bartender is always a great option (guests will love the flaming cocktails and high-flying glass tricks), while more off-beat ideas like a roaming ice cream cart or oyster-shucking station can feel playful and personalized to your couple. Food carts are another great way to get guests moving around, so consider a four-wheeling dessert display or cocktail hour. Is your couple more low key? Everyone loves a good party game, so plan a few for the cocktail hour and reception. Lawn games like horseshoes, cornhole, and oversized-Jenga are great for outdoor ceremonies, while ‘90’s classics like a photobooth, piñata, or caricature artist will be a hit indoors.

TRY OUT GUEST GIFT LOUNGES Take the idea of a welcome bag up a notch by transforming the concept into an over-the-top welcome lounge for wedding guests. Instead of stuffing and delivering gifts for your couple’s guests, set up a room full of goodies (like snacks, drinks, and favorite local treats), and allow guests to choose their favorite things. The wedding party can be inside a hotel room suite or outside at a tent to greet friends and family

the evening before the wedding and get a bit more face time in with guests. This serves as a natural icebreaker for guests whom they may have not met before the big event.

SERVE UP A FRESH FEAST The main meal is coming centerstage, so work with a catering team to energize your clients’ wedding menus with favorite new foodie trends. Wow-worthy food displays (think Peter Callahan’s take on an edible pick-your-own caramel apple tree) give partygoers something to feast their eyes on, while specialty bars focused on just the couple’s favorite brew or spirit take the signature cocktail to the next level. Another big hit? The roaming dinner. Instead of a seated meal, offer guests a plethora of passed apps, filling small plates and interactive stations with everything from oyster-shucking to mozzarella pulling on-the-go.

CREATE ALTERNATIVE SEATING FOR THE CEREMONY Savvy couples are moving beyond the traditional, two-sided aisle set-up and onto layouts that feel a bit more intimate. Just because they come from two distinct families doesn’t mean they need guests to sit on separate sides of the aisle. Instead, encourage couples to foster mixing and mingling by arranging seating in an arch or semi circle, with the altar in the middle. It’s an easy way to create more “front row” seating and a warm, close-knit environment that will leave your couple feeling enveloped in love. Or, have guests stand for the dura-tion of the ceremony (note: this only works if they’re doing something short-and-sweet—15 minutes or less!), and surround the couple both for a casual, city hall-vibe.

INVITE A FEW FURRY FRIENDS The hottest wedding guests of the year have four legs and super-soft coats. Having a beloved pup join the festivities is nothing new, but more couples are now looking to hire everything from sweet bun-nies and donkeys to dressed-up llamas to roam the grounds of their outdoor reception and entertain guests. We’ve even seen a slew of rescue puppies walk down the aisle with the bridesmaids in place of bouquets—don’t worry, they were up for adoption afterwards!

THINK BEYOND THE LIMO Transportation is practical, sure—but it can also add a layer of per-sonalization. Think of it as a fun opportunity to nod to the wedding theme or the couple’s love story. Was their first date a pedi-cab ride around New York City’s Central Park? Find a charming rickshaw to take them from the ceremony to the reception. Helping them throw a boho backyard bash? Rent a VW van for a wow-worthy entrance—then, keep it on premises to double as a fun photo back-drop. With so many out-of-the-box options, there’s no need to settle for a traditional choice.

FOCUS ON CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM Hosting an incredible wedding, while reducing the carbon footprint is top-of-mind for many couples. From selecting in-season and locally sourced food and flowers, to sending Earth-friendly invitations made from soy-based inks on recycled paper, to-be-weds are becoming more and more conscious of what—and how—they’re consuming. Work to present local or sustainable options when it comes to vendors and resources.

TRY A TRANSLUCENT CAKE The new take on the naked cake is the translucent cake. Instead of totally bare tiers, translucent cakes have a thin veil of frosting with just a bit of the cake showing. Typically iced in buttercream, these sweet delights are topped with flowers or in-season fruits that hint at the flavors of the cake filling. You can suggest the use of a fresh type of topper, too—cute, mini party animals pay tribute to a couple’s mutual love of dinosaurs, while a laser-cut phrase gives couples a chance to incorporate a favorite quote or sweet sentiment on top.

INSTALL IMAGE-MAPPING TECHNOLOGY Want to turn your indoor venue into a lush garden, but don’t have the budget for thousands of flowers and potted trees? Try a new projection technology called image mapping that allows you to transform a space with lighting and moving pictures. Give the ceremony and reception their own special vibes by changing scenes from one to the next. You can even use this technology on the wedding cake. Not only is this trend tech-forward, it benefits the environment and will save couples money on flowers and décor.

Whatever you and your couples choose, be sure to bring their person-alities forward, and add creative flair to their days so they can have the #BestDayEver. WPM

__Alyssa Longobucco, The Knot, New York, N.Y.

© Longbrook Photography

© Yellow Feather Photography© 5ive15ifteen Photography


"bring their personalities forward, and add creative flair to their days so they can have the #BestDayEver"


FAMILY: I am married and a pet parent to Snickers.EDUCATION: I have a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and a Masters in public administration from the University of Illinois—Chicago.STARTING THE BUSINESS: I worked at a PR firm and thought, when I started my business, I would be doing primarily corporate events. However, people started contacting me about planning their wed-dings. I did not feel I had the education to plan weddings, so I took the Penn Foster course, to give me the foundation to be a good wedding planner. After finishing the course, I realized the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) membership was very valuable for con-tinued education and networking. I started my business 13 years ago, and I have been a member of ABC that whole time.BUSINESS CHANGES: For our wedding management, we added on three hours of consultation time that can be used anytime after the contract is signed. The result is the client gets more than wedding-day manage-ment, which allows us to charge more. It has also improved relation-ships with our coordination clients; we get to know them throughout the planning process. Even if they are still doing the majority of planning on their own, this leads to more trust on their wedding day. EVALUATING SUCCESS: Success is when a client says, “This is exactly what I wanted. You made my wedding day enjoyable and went above and beyond what I expected.” Success is being known in your industry as a leader and having others want to learn from you.ON BECOMING A MASTER: I proudly became a Master in November 2017. I presented for my Masters twice. The first time, I did not receive the designation. It was devastating, as I do not like to fail. However, from that failure, I learned quite a bit. One of the criticisms from the master panel was that they didn’t get to know me as a planner and person. I realized that I am like that in my business as well. In the year between presenting for my Masters, I made an effort to be more open about who I am as a planner and person, and the response from clients and potential clients has been amazing! The lesson I learned is that failure is not a stopping point, it is an arrow in a new direction to your goal.INDUSTRY INFLUENCERS: I am and will always be a Martha Stewart fan. She is the first woman entrepreneur to present entertaining, event planning, and wedding planning as a career option to many. Our industry benefits when it has professionals at all levels doing what we love but also making a profit.INSPIRATION: Cooking and entertaining.ON STAYING FRESH: As the wedding season in North Idaho is short—Memorial Day to Labor Day, the late fall and winter is the time I use to focus, working on the business and updates for the new year. I also make a point of taking a vacation at least once a year and, because I have a great employee, I am able to even do this during wedding season. Having a reliable employee is important to avoid burnout in this industry.IDEAL CLIENT: My ideal client is one that is coming to the Inland Northwest for a destination wedding. The majority of our clients live in a state other than Idaho. I love working with clients that want to show off the natural beauty of our area to their guests. Outdoor weddings where the mountains and lakes are the background are hard to beat.FAVORITE BUSINESS BOOK: I highly recommend Own It by Sallie Krawcheck.

MASTER PROFILE

MASTER WEDDING PLANNER: ROBYN BRUNS, MWP™, Red Letter Event Planning, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

ABC MEMBER SINCE: 2004 REVENUE: 80% consulting, 10% day-of coordination, 10% corporate EMPLOYEES: 1 part-time, 2 contractors CONTACT: [email protected], www.RedLetterEventPlanning.com SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram.com/Redletterevent, Facebook.com/Redlettereventplanning

information

READING NOW: I am currently reading Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire, a 500-Year History. The political science geek in me loves books like this.WORDS OF WISDOM: Listen to your gut. If a situation, client, or idea doesn’t seem right, it probably is not. Also, we all love what we do, but make sure you are getting paid what you deserve and are running your business as a business, not a hobby. It is easy to get caught up in the glamour of wedding planning, but at the end of the day, you have to pay bills and make sure you are running a profitable business.LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I love to sing—pretty much anywhere that is private—in the car, the kitchen while cooking, and at my desk, but I would be terrified to do so in public on a stage. My favorite thing to sing is ‘90s pop (please don’t judge). WPM

Photos courtesy of Robyn Bruns


http://www.RedLetterEventPlanning.com


It’s hard to believe that this year I will have been in business 25 years. It seems time

really does fly when you’re having fun! While we wedding professionals know our jobs can be fun, there are also many moments of frustration and stress. This can make staying inspired difficult.

Throughout the years, colleagues ask how I stay inspired after years in the business when the wedding and event market changes so quickly. This is why it’s important to stay on top of trends. Here are the top ways I’ve learned to stay inspired as time passes:

PERUSE MAGAZINESBelieve it or not, some of us still subscribe and buy actual printed magazines! I don’t want to say I read each, but I do page through more than 24 magazines a month. From interior design to lifestyle, from food to fashion and, yes, obviously all of the wedding, event, and trade publications, I see ideas that I can tweak to fit events I’m planning. Make sure you are reading not only national maga-zines but local and international. Some of my favorite, not-obvious periodicals are Real Simple, Victoria, and Travel and Leisure. This is a great thing to do when you have your morning coffee or after-work cocktail.

STAY UP-TO-DATE ON FASHION TRENDSThe fashion industry dictates so much. See what styles designers are showing, and you will see this carried forward into the event world. These colors and styles show up in floral and linen, and their style (simple, diagonal lines, tight fits etc.) will then show up in event décor.

Since we’re talking fashion, it’s important to know what is going on in the bridal fashion scene. In addition to reading local, national, and international bridal fashion magazines, attend the wedding and bridal markets. While I don’t sell wedding gowns, which is most of these types of show’s attendees, I sit in on several days of fashion shows. Usually, each designer will have in-formal modeling or even their own runway show. This way, we know what the trends will be for next year.

FEAST ON ALL THINGS FOODThis is a vital part to any event. Read food magazines, follow food blogs, and watch the Food Network and Cooking Channel. Additionally, try new restaurants—something I love to do when I travel. Not only do I look at the taste of the food, but more importantly, I see how it’s presented, because, let’s face it, we eat with our eyes. If there is a new, hot restaurant in your local area, get there right after it opens. Clients love to know that you’re on top of these things. If you cannot afford to eat at the more expensive ones, go in for a cocktail and an appetizer at the bar. It will at least give you a good flavor of what this new eatery is all about.

ATTEND CONFERENCESWhen I first started, there were only a few wedding and/or event conferences. Now, they are numerous. Find the one that works for you. I get so much out of Wedding MBA and the Special Event. I try to attend at least one every year. The Association of Bridal Consultants offers meetings and an annual conference,

and you can explore Catersource, WIPA, and WeddingWire to name a few.

EXPLORE TRADE SHOWSNot only are these a great way to be on top of trends, but trade shows can be a great way to add income to your bottom line. You can sell veils, headpieces, favors, wedding accessories, jewelry, etc. But to do this, you must have a resale number to get into any trade show. You would need to apply for this in your state. Then (in addition to Bridal Market) head to the National Gift Market, Jewel and Gem Show, National Stationery Show, and The Party Show just to name a few. Keep in mind, these shows are large, and you might need more than a day just to walk the show floor. Wear comfort-able shoes, bring a note pad, and a bag for information from the vendors.

When I first started planning weddings, there were only a handful of wedding planners. Now, they are a dime a dozen. Many who call themselves the wedding planner/con-sultant/coordinators really are not. They have not done any training, they don’t know trends, and they don’t understand events. Many think because they were in a wed-ding and are on Pinterest that makes them a planner. It does not. Do your homework before hanging out your shingle. Make sure you train, do continuing education, and stay on top of current trends. Research as many vendors in your area as possible. Make these things all part of an ongoing process to stay inspired, so one day you, too, can say you’ve had 25 years in the industry and still love what you do! WPM

SEASONED PROFESSIONALS

INSPIRATION—FOR 25 YEARS AND COUNTING….How do seasoned professionals stay inspired after years in the industry? 25-year industry veteran

Frank Andonoplas, MWP™, shares his secrets.


REAL WEDDING | PHIL ADELPHIA

PLANNER: Lynda Barness, MWP™, I DO Wed-ding Consulting, [email protected], Time in industry: 13 yearsPHOTOGRAPHER: George Weiss IIIBUSINESSES INVOLVED: airbnb, Carlos Rey Sebastian (DJ), The Sculpture Courtyard, Kensington/Philadelphia (venue), Feast Your Eyes Catering (catering, rentals, cake), Anderson deLone (lighting), Front Street Café (after-party), Meta Floral NYCWEDDING DATE: June 3, 2017 GUEST COUNT: 95 THE COUPLE: The couple was married, with immediate family in attendance, at City Hall the day before this reception. The bride is Rus-sian and special touches throughout the day honored her heritage. Guests were gifted with shot glasses that had the bride’s and groom’s names written in Russian. These were used for a toast. Russian candies and a Russian cake with many layers (made with a recipe the bride provided) were offered at the end of the meal that included cold borscht. Eli’s Lemon Cake was also served, honoring the groom’s deceased father.INVOLVEMENT: Consulting and wedding-dayINSPIRATION: We were inspired by a rustic/urban combination. “AHA” DESIGN MOMENT: The venue is spec-tacular and inspiring! It is so unusual and unexpected, and the tables, chairs, and centerpieces complemented the space. MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: The venue is called The Sculpture Courtyard, and it is a rustic barn tucked off Mascher Street in Phila-delphia. It was a gorgeous day, and cocktails were in the garden, loggia, and an additional room in the barn. Dinner and dancing were in the “barn.” The pizza oven by Feast Your Eyes Catering was the centerpiece of the fun cocktail hour. COLOR PALETTE: Natural tones with major pops of red flowers BUDGET: Private PLANNING TIME: 6 monthsREVENUE BREAKDOWN: 100% planningBIGGEST CHALLENGE: The bride and groom knew exactly what they wanted for this wed-ding, and they knew it wouldn’t be traditional. As soon as they saw this venue, that was it! The venue was new to weddings, and we worked closely with the caterer to make sure that all the details were covered. WPM

Rustic laced with urban



NACE COLUMN

Imagine a romantic, candle-lit ceremony with a cozy fireplace backdrop, outlined

with white birch tree branches and twinkle lights as your couple exchanges vows. Or think of them standing at nature’s altar as guests, wrapped in warm blankets and sipping hot cocoa as snowflakes fall overhead, eagerly waiting for the officiant to say those five words, “You may kiss the bride.” After the ceremony guests are escorted to a sunset, horse-drawn sleigh-ride before dinner and dancing. Winter weddings, whether in Wisconsin or Lake Tahoe, can be fabulous affairs!

If your couples are planning a wedding in the chilly winter months, hopefully, they love the snow and the chill. Yet we all know these types of weddings bring other challenges. Planning a winter wedding can seem risky, especially in the mountains, but if you plan accordingly, the weddings can be magical events that satisfy the dreams of your clients.

GET YOUR GROUP ACTIVITIES SET UPWith winter travel, there may be travel delays. Planning a couple days of activities leading up to the big day will entice guests to stay longer and give guests’ buffer time to make it to the wedding day. Be sure to plan activi-ties for all ages and abilities, from sledding and tubing to snowmobiling and skiing. It’s always fun for friends and family to meet

at the end of a chilly, active day with rosy cheeks and tired legs—sharing stories around the fireplace, while sipping on hot toddies. Surprisingly, it’s often the guests who are not used to winter weather that are the most excited to take home these fun memories!

HAVE A BACK-UP PLANIt’s important to be flexible and decide on an alternative plan far in advance if the weather doesn’t cooperate. For instance, if you are planning a mountaintop wedding and the transportation is a ski lift, you’ll need to prepare in case the lifts close due to snow or wind. Be sure to have a back-up venue, and advise your vendors of the changes if it happens last minute. To alleviate stress on the wedding day, plan far in advance so wedding vendors will know how you want to move forward. And look at the bright side; if you are planning a winter wedding, because your cou-ple loves to ski or snowboard, they can look forward to fun in the snow the next day!

PLAN IN ADVANCERecommend your couples work with you to plan a winter wedding at least a year in advance. This means there will be less com-petition and more options to choose from for venues. Hire local vendors, especially in the winter months, to ensure they are familiar with winter weather and travel. If you are hir-ing someone from outside of the area, con-sider bringing them in the day before, which

may mean providing them with lodging.

DÉCOR AND THEMESWinter weddings are so much fun when it comes to choosing colors and décor. Start with the save-the-dates. Think miniature cable knit sweaters in small boxes with attached tags that explain the location and date, or send small, corked bottle with fake snow inside.

Velvet is the latest craze in table linens, and when better to use this than at a winter wed-ding! Colors can vary from deep red tones to whites, ivory, or golds. Be sure to create a cozy lounge setting with a warm fire, blan-kets, and displayed in wood boxes, wedding favors—cable knit mittens and scarves or matching beanies. Candlelight may be the best part of a winter wedding. The sun sets early, after all, so candlelight can be used for all aspects of the wedding—from a cere-mony aisle lined with different-sized candles, to hanging lanterns on shepherd hooks to light a pathway, or to using tall, tapered candles for centerpieces.

Winter weddings are magical, especially when planned with thought and care. Be sure to work with your couple on staying flexible and understanding that weather may shift some of the plans. If they know this, then winter wed-dings may be the perfect way to say “I do!”__Kerry Hawk, Blue Sky Events, Stateline, Nev.

CELEBRATE IN THE SNOW!Now is the time to plan those winter weddings

Photos courtesy of NACE


REAL WEDDING | ARGENTINA

PLANNERS: Barbara Diez Event Planners, www.BarbaraDiez.com, [email protected] TIME IN INDUSTRY: 17 yearsPHOTOGRAPHER: Gus HildebrandtBUSINESSES INVOLVED: Gerardo Acevedo (décor), Sarapura DJs, EAT catering, M2 (video)WEDDING DATE: May 27, 2017GUEST COUNT: 370THE COUPLE: Natali and Javier exchanged telephone numbers in 2013. He lived in Mar del Plata, Argentina, while she lived in Miami. They saw each other on and off for a year, and Javier decided to move to Miami so they could have a closer relationship. Eventually, they decid-ed to wed, and their day was more than they imagined.INVOLVEMENT: Full consultingINSPIRATION: A “haunted woods” “AHA” DESIGN MOMENT: The whole dance floor was crowned by a huge chandelier that was different from any other, because it was made of mirror tubes that wound around themselves causing a unique, magical light effect. MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: The chandelier was unique and fragile due to its design. It was definitely our most unique element, enabling us to illustrate our theme more fully.COLOR PALETTE: Golden huesBUDGET: Private STAFF HOURS: 3 full days, 10 hours per day PLANNING TIME: 14 monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: Since the couple who was getting married was living abroad, we held four face-to-face meetings and several video confer-ences. It was an average of one per week for the first several months and two per week during the last two months.BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The greatest challenge was the installation and security involved during the installation of the chandelier—and the guar-antee that it would work and be safe for as long as was required. WPM

Haunted woods, and golden hues.

http://www.BarbaraDiez.com


INDUSTRY INSIGHT | CARRIE MCGUIRE

Let’s face it, we live in a fast-moving, im-age-heavy world and have been for quite

some time. There’s never been a time in history where images and content were shared and spread globally as much as they are today. Just look at a few statistics: • 95 million photos and videos are shared on

Instagram per day (source: Wordstream).• Facebook sees 300 million photo uploads per

day (source: Gizmoto).

Images are everywhere, and they’re abso-lutely critical in attracting new customers to your business. The challenge is developing a high-quality, relevant, and current image library you can use to promote your business or service. PHOTOGRAPHERS HOLD THE KEYIt’s true; photographers are holding the keys when it comes to the valuable image content you need. How else are you able to share that amazing wedding or event you were part of last weekend? Cell phone images should be the last resort, but unfortunately, they've be-come the norm instead of the exception. Why? Two reasons; Photographers either take too long to deliver images to vendors, or sadly do not deliver them at all. This helps no one. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HOMEWORKEveryone works hard during and leading up to the wedding day. Everything has been planned down to the last detail and set up beautifully for the wedding. The photographers’ role is to capture the emotion and surrounding environ-ment to tell a story. Most of the details were

either made by someone or put in place by someone. Decorations were placed, florals were designed and beautifully showcased, chairs were delivered and set up, the cake was made, and the list goes on. It’s all there, perfectly set up and positioned for the photographer to capture. Most of the time, the venue is so beautiful it’s an absolute joy to photograph. However, the most important thing that can’t be forgotten or taken for granted is the fact that none of it would be possible without the amazing team of individual creatives that made it happen. That fact is not lost on us. We’re so incredibly grateful for the hard work that’s gone into making things run smoothly and look beautiful, that it’s incredibly important that we deliver images to these ven-dors within 48-72 hours. OUR 48-HOUR PROCESSWe’re constantly hearing complaints from wedding professionals that they’re waiting for images from events that occurred two to three months ago. Here’s the deal; 48-hours is the “golden window of impact,” and here’s how we’ve tailored our process to help benefit everyone involved, not just us: The day following a wedding is spent culling the entire wedding and editing the select 50-75 images that will be used in the blog. In our business, my partner John is usually writing the blog copy, finding links for the vendors and preparing the back-end of the blog site for the post. Once the blog images are edited and complete, they’re editorially paired and uploaded to our blog along with the couple’s story and how their day unfolded. We then send an email to the wedding couple announcing that their blog is

ready for viewing and sharing. Next, all of the blog images (plus more) are uploaded to a private online gallery for vendors and the email goes out that your images are ready! This is a password-protected gallery, and the images are high resolution and free of watermarks. These are your images to download and use for your marketing and promotional needs. Our ultimate goal is to have the blog posted and the vendor images delivered by Tuesday or Wednesday immediately following a weekend ceremony.

BUSINESS HELPING BUSINESS COMES FULL CIRCLEIt’s such a simple concept—help those who help you! We’re fortunate to have the oppor-tunity to work with many amazingly talented wedding professionals who allow us to create beautiful images for our clients and ourselves. If it weren't for everyone involved, our imag-es might not have the same impact. These wedding pros are the reason our images have the impact they do, so it only makes sense to provide them with images within just a few days while the excitement is still high.

How thankful would you be to have images from Saturday’s wedding by Tuesday? Would you talk about that and recommend that photographer? We’ve handed the keys over to you, and we’re happy to share. We’re grateful for the hard work of wedding pros, and we’re showing it by making sure they get the images they need in order to grow their brand. WPM

__Carrie McGuire, Carrie McGuire Photography, Win-chester, Calif.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS COULD DO TO BETTER CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUDeveloping great business relationships takes creativity and ingenuity. Sometimes the most dramatic difference comes

from the simplest concept—help those who help you!



REAL WEDDING | LOUISIANA

PLANNER: Donna Brian, MWP™, Love in Bloom, LLC, www.Donnabrianevents.com, [email protected] TIME IN INDUSTRY: 19 yearsPHOTOGRAPHER: Katherine Gaiennie Fine PhotographyBUSINESSES INVOLVED: Sweetie Cakes, Duvall and Perch Rentals, First United Methodist Church, 601 Spring, Corey Carlson Caricature, IShuttle, Squires, Bella Bridesmaid Silver Star, Wine Country, Shreveport LimoWEDDING DATE: March 25, 2017GUEST COUNT: 500THE COUPLE: Colby proposed to Grace on New Year’s Eve. Family and friends were surprised with the big news as the midnight hour occurred. This couple enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, and relaxing at the lake. INVOLVEMENT: Full-service consultingINSPIRATION: Southern style with glitz. Smilax, magnolia flowers, and candles were hung on suspending frames over the dance floor and guest tables. Concrete columns were strung with twinkle lights and smilax. Grace carried a bouquet of botanical flowers with southern blooms. The groom’s cake was a tiered, round chocolate butter cream cake. Colby loves to hunt, so it was decorated with a traditional hunting décor. A duck was designed as the topper surrounded by icing grass. “AHA” DESIGN MOMENT: I wanted the event to be high energy with great entertainment. We created a great lounge area with beautiful furniture, communal tables, candles, and ghost chairs. This allowed guests to relax, take a break, or get away. The touches of gold and blush were carried out in the décor. MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: Hanging wood-en frames were decorated with greenery, magnolias, and battery-operated candles. COLOR PALETTE: Navy, blush, white, cream, green and gold. BUDGET: $150,000 STAFF HOURS: 75 hoursPLANNING TIME: 14 monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: 5SET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: Setup/strike took 20 hours of staff time.REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 72% planning, 20% rentals, 8% giftsLEARNINGS: I would confirm the carver would deliver the ice sculpture. This would lead to less chaos on the set up for the catering company. WPM

Southern style with glitz

http://www.Donnabrianevents.com


DO YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE REAL WEDDING TO SHARE? The weddings that grace our pages are submitted by you, our readers. Join the industry leaders

who have shared their ups and downs and creative insights by submitting yours today.

REAL WEDDING | CALIFORNIA

PLANNER: Merryl Brown, MA, CWP™, Merryl Brown Events, Montecito, Calif., www.merrylbrownevents.com, [email protected] IN INDUSTRY: 8 PHOTOGRAPHY: Corbin Gurkin PhotographyBUSINESSES: The Food Matters (catering/staffing), Christine Dahl (dessert), Classic Party Rentals, Rivre Works (specialty rentals), Mindy Rice (floral), Star Power (generators), Karizma – deBois (band), Santa Barbara String Quartet (ceremony music), Executive Limo, BlueStar Parking (valet), Design Sound, Images by Lighting, Hoo Films, Briana Stuart (hair), Tomiko Taft (makeup), Lazaro Press & Design (collateral materials), La Tavola Linens, BB Rodeo (dance floor), ThoughtBox Photobooth, Marborg (restrooms/trash)WEDDING DATE: Oct. 10, 2015GUEST COUNT: 220INVOLVEMENT: Full production and design THE COUPLE: Blake and Teddy met seven years prior to the day of their wedding. Though both grew up in Santa Barbara, it wasn’t until being secretly set up at a Stanford University football game that they crossed paths. Falling in love almost immediately, the pair has been inseparable since that weekend in October. They share a love of family and friends, are extremely active, love to walk on the beach, catch up on favorite shows, and enjoy good meals together. They are a t-shirt and jeans kind of couple. Blake is a tennis coach at the University of California—Santa Barbara, so the wedding reception tent was built on the bride’s father’s tennis court. INSPIRATION: Elegant, romantic, feminine, garden, light, airy, natural, and organic were among the words the couple used to narrow down the inspiration. This “Audrey Hepburn meets Gone with the Wind” wedding was full of soft, romantic, floral, linens, and lighting. “AHA” MOMENT: The couple wanted their tent to feel as though it was in a garden when, in fact, it was on a tennis court. We masked the fencing with faux hedging and then used drapes to hide the space between the hedging, creating the illusion of the tent being perfectly

tucked into a fully hedged and verdant garden. Everything else built off of this, and in the end, it was a stunning and magical spot.MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: The wedding arbor was an old, architectur-al feature on the property. It was covered in vines and set before a love-ly koi pond. We covered it with more lush vines, greenery, and garden roses, so it looked as if they were always there, profusely growing and delicately fragrant. It created a space that felt enveloped and sacred. COLOR PALETTE: Muted whites, dusty gray/blue, light blush, natural BUDGET: $300,000 STAFF HOURS: 286PLANNING TIME: 14 months CLIENT MEETINGS: We held monthly sit-down meetings and numerous phone meetings to discuss details as they came up during the plan-ning process.SET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: We had a six-day build out for set up and a four-day strike with valet and at least one member of our staff present to direct vendors/oversee for about eight hours each day that anyone was on the property. Set up started Monday during the week of the wedding, with removal of all existing furniture on the property followed by subfloor installation on the tennis court, tent infrastructure, carpet, draping, lighting and AV, rentals, two kitchen installations, green room installation, all restroom and recycling delivery, and generators, and then final ceremo-ny, cocktail, and reception-area rentals and floral/other details up until the day of event. Strike began immediately after the reception ended on Saturday evening and lasted until Wednesday of the next week. BUDGET BREAKDOWN: 11% catering, 7% alcohol, 29% rentals/tenting/carpeting, 5% draping, 16% floral, 3% set up/strike labor, 5% pho-tography, 3% sound, 5% lighting, 12% other.BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The heat. The only thing that I would have done differently was to invest in fans and A/C as it was a very warm evening. Also, in the future, when there are vendors, whom I don’t know, that the family has chosen on their own, I will take the time in advance to get to know them personally and not just via email. WPM

Elegant, romantic, feminine, garden, light, airy, natural, and organic



REAL WEDDING | ME XICO

PLANNER: Marcela Villaseñor Saavedra, AWP™, Bodas Huatulco, www.bodashuatulco.com, [email protected] IN INDUSTRY: 9 yearsPHOTOGRAPHER: Pawel Bogdal-Freestyle PhotoBUSINESSES INVOLVED: Las Palmas Resort Huatulco (venue), Ikal Noil Hair Studio, La Botica de las Flores, Bodas Oaxaca (favors), Tommy DJ, Chef Nestor Román (catering), La Reliquia (mezcal tasting), Quin-ta Real Huatulco (rehearsal dinner venue)WEDDING DATE: Jan. 7, 2017GUEST COUNT: 45THE COUPLE: Every couple is different, and it is important to click with them so you can make their dream wedding come true—giving them confidence and helping them trust your expertise. With Lucas and Pauline, everything went well. They are a romantic couple and super chic, which came through in the event.INVOLVEMENT: Design and full planningINSPIRATION: Romance and class met in a combination of beautiful de-tails. Lucas and Pauline also were inspired by the location and wanted to include the Mexican elements of food and beverage to the event.“AHA” DESIGN MOMENT: This couple wanted to give their guests the best. Getting married in a different country wasn’t an impediment to their goal. They embraced México and gave guests an incredible journey from start to finish from the rehearsal dinner, held in another hotel, followed by a tour that included mezcal tasting, and launching sky lanterns right to the wedding itself.MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: The lights on the roof and the floral elements gave a romantic and elegant touch. COLOR PALETTE: Purple, lilac, and pinkBUDGET: $60,000STAFF HOURS: 22 hoursPLANNING TIME: Nine monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: Six meetings via Skype and one site inspectionSET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: The ceiling set up in the wedding venue was a bit difficult, the Palapa is high, and it was the first time we did this set up, setting and programing the twinkle lights. It took our team almost 12 hours to do it and leave it perfect.REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 50% rentals, 30% food and beverages, 20% planning, 10% details WPM

Romance, lighting, and the beauty of Mexico


REAL WEDDING | MICHIGAN

PLANNER: Alison Laesser-Keck, VLD Events, Ann Arbor, Mich., www.vldevents.com, [email protected] IN INDUSTRY: 15 for events, 8 for wed-dingsPHOTOGRAPHY: Justine MontignyBUSINESSES: Forte Belanger (catering), The Lighting Guy, Katie Wachowiak (floral), DJ Graffiti, Special Events Rental, Sweet Heather Anne (dessert)WEDDING DATE: Sept. 19, 2015GUEST COUNT: 200INVOLVEMENT: Consulting and day-of directionTHE COUPLE: Kate and Pat’s main priority was creating an intimate and romantic fête for their closest family and friends. They wanted a day that was about more than the two of them. It was to be a celebration of their parents, family, and friends who helped form who they are today. The evening was a stunning juxtaposi-tion. The Piquette Plant’s weathered walls, ex-posed brick, and raw floors, coupled with rich marsala blooms, gold scripture and accents, elegant and natural beaded dresses paired with black-tie tuxedos, a divine menu, flowing champagne, and long tables with hundreds

of Edison bulbs dangling above created a truly unforgettable atmosphere.INSPIRATION: Organic meets industrial “AHA” MOMENT: We usually focus on décor, but this event was heavily about guest entertain-ment and enjoyment. There was great food and beverage presentation a la mini tacos with Patrón pairings, etc. It was just so fun!MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: The installation of Edison bulbs over the head table, sand-wiched next to vintage Model T cars added an industrial, yet historic element.COLOR PALETTE: Green, white, marsalaBUDGET: PrivateSTAFF HOURS: 60PLANNING TIME: 10 monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: 12SET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: We had to do a day-be-fore set up to pull this one off.REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 10% venue; 10% planning; 30% food, beverage, staffing; 25% décor; 10% photography; 10% videography; 5% entertainmentBIGGEST CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge with this event was working in an old warehouse at a venue that is a museum first and a venue

second. When we started planning, the venue director was someone we’d worked with on a prior event, and we were accustomed to her rules and regulations. About halfway through, she left and someone else came in with a different set of rules. The museum’s priority is to protect the vehicles, which we understand; however, it was challenging for several rea-sons. First, they couldn’t say for sure where the Model Ts would be located the day of the event. Translation: There could be a car exactly where your head table or bar was planned to be, and you wouldn’t know until you got in to set up. Sec-ond, since this is an old building, it doesn’t have heating, cooling, or elevators that properly work. The elevators often break down at the end of the night, forcing vendors to carry everything they brought in—from the forks to furniture—down three flights of stairs. Third, there is no kitchen on site, candles are not allowed, cars drip oil next to the tables, the floors turn whatever touches them black because it’s impossible to keep plank wood floors clean, and there is zero ability to hang anything. This is a super idea for an event space, but aesthetically and logistically challeng-ing nonetheless. WPM

Organic meets industrial


REAL WEDDING | PANAMA

FLORIST: Gabriela Abraham, Stylo Panama, www.stylopanama.com, [email protected] TIME IN INDUSTRY: 8 years PHOTOGRAPHER: Grey Diaz and Max Art DigitalBUSINESSES INVOLVED: My cute cake, Eventos y Eventos, Pro Lights and Show Panama, Kryste-la Vidal, La Cocina de MonsiWEDDING DATE: Feb. 4, 2017GUEST COUNT: 200THE COUPLE: This is a beautiful couple. Each one completes the other. They met at the University, and their friends organized a date so they could meet. After 11 years, they gave a “Yes!” in front of God!INVOLVEMENT: Full consultingINSPIRATION: The venue was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We drew inspira-tion from its beauty and history to give the wedding an elegant touch.“AHA” DESIGN MOMENT: The wedding venue was the ruins of the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. In 1671, the city was destroyed by an attack led by the English pirate Henry Morgan, and it was never rebuilt. The remains of the old city were abandoned for more than two centuries. Cur-rently, the Panama Viejo Historical Monument Complex covers around 28 hectares that in-clude the ruins of some of the most important buildings of the Colonial period, as well as the archaeological traces of the pre-Hispanic and Colonial periods. The history of this site inspired our “aha”moment.MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: We used over-sized initials of the bride and groom to person-alize the wedding; the letters lit up at night.COLOR PALETTE: Navy, white, and silverBUDGET: $30,000STAFF HOURS: 40 plusPLANNING TIME: Five monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: Four meetings and numerous callsSET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: There was roughly 12 hours of setup for the floral.REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 100% full floral designerBIGGEST CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge in making an outdoor wedding is the weather. At the time of the wedding, it was summer and the temperature was around 95 degrees Fahren-heit. Rain can always be a surprise factor. LEARNINGS: With outdoor weddings, and for the humid climate of the city, refreshing cocktails and fans must be offered to guests so they can enjoy the day. WPM

Historical ruins, navy, white, and silver


© The McCartneys Photography

REAL WEDDING | VIRGIN ISL ANDS

PLANNER: Michelle Marquis, Weddings by Michelle Marquis, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, www.weddingsbymichellemarquis.com, [email protected] IN INDUSTRY: 20 PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly Greer PhotographerBUSINESSES: Red Couch Café, Antilles Lilies Florist, Kiki and The Flam-ing Gypsies, The Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies, the Randy Mason Trio, Unlimited Sounds DJ, Frank Robinson Cocktails and Culinary Experience WEDDING DATE: Nov. 20, 2015GUEST COUNT: 48INVOLVEMENT: Full consulting, design, and executionTHE COUPLE: The bride is a world-champion equestrian, Olympiad, and Pan Am Games participant/medalist. Having the wedding ocean-front meant that only one theme would be appropriate—sea horses. The groom was happy to oblige.WEDDING PLANNING/STYLE INSPIRATION: At our recommendation, the wedding ceremony and reception took place on a private estate, the Pyramid House, overlooking the ocean. The estate has graced the cov-er of Architectural Digest and boasts beautiful lawns, sugar mills, and stunning stone work. A rustic, elegant, tented reception was desired.“AHA” MOMENT: Most definitely, it was honing in on the bride’s love for horses.MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: I had custom wooden tables and benches built to enhance the rustic, elegant vibe the couple wanted. A late-night food truck was desired, but since that wasn't possible to

get to the location, we found an old pickup truck in a salvage yard, cut off the bed, painted it, added shelving, and attached it to a lo-cal mahogany-crafted pedestal for a "Food Truck Fun Food" station. COLOR PALETTE: Pinks, creams, greenBUDGET: $40,000 STAFF HOURS: 60PLANNING TIME: Three monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: This was a destination wedding, so we emailed a lot, talked on the phone twice, and met once the day before the wedding.SET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: I secretly asked the maid of honor to bring some of the bride’s horse reigns to use as aisle markers along the insides of the outdoor ceremony “pews.” I also found an old horse trough that we turned upside down to use as a beverage station at the ceremony. We also surprised the bride and groom as well as the entire party with fire dancers and local cultural stilt walkers who bring good luck and protection. There was also a fire pit over a round area rug with lovely chairs and pillows encircling it. REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 20% planning, 15% rentals, 20% labor, 10% special ordered inventory, and 35% vendorsBIGGEST CHALLENGE: The short, three-month planning period and an extremely windy day were our biggest challenges. Fighting the wind on the wedding day was taxing, but everyone worked together to reinforce everything. And we had to put the napkins in the cham-pagne glasses, which ended up looking really great, to keep them from blowing away. WPM

a rustic, elegant, tented reception was desired


REAL WEDDING | NEW JERSE Y

grown to become a 42-acre arboretum and park with 270 sculptures placed throughout, including life-sized bronze figurative sculptures by Johnson himself. There are indoor exhibition galleries as well, and this wedding embraced the indoor and outdoor spaces and used a variety of locations for its celebrations. COLOR PALETTE: Bright coral and white, along with peacock blue, with several shades of bright and deep pinks BUDGET: PrivateSTAFF HOURS: 45 plus PLANNING TIME: Nine-and-half months CLIENT MEETINGS: Two in-person, along with numerous phone meetings SET UP/STRIKE DETAILS: Set up in this venue was a challenge as the grounds are large and the locations many. We set up for the ketu-bah signing in the Bamboo Courtyard, the ceremony at a sculpture called Nine Muses, cocktails were in the West Gallery, and dinner and

dancing were held in the East Gallery. Guests who arrived early were invited to wander the gardens.REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 100% planning BIGGEST CHALLENGE: While we certainly didn’t see all of the grounds on the wedding day, we had to navigate a much larger area than at our usual venues. Also, we were not aware that the vendors and regular visitors had to enter through the same admission line, and the day was glorious, which meant the lines were long. We remedied this with a call to our contact, who opened another line. In addition, although the grounds are gorgeous, buildings and locations are deliberately hidden, making them hard to find. We did a pre-wedding tour, but the maps list the sculptures not other landmarks, so it takes a while to get oriented. Again, we called our contact and she guided us. I have already been in contact with the venue and have requested a different map for our next wedding there. WPM

To submit a real wedding, visit www.weddingplannermag.com and click "submission guidelines."


REAL WEDDING | CANCUN

PLANNER: Jen Kasten, My Event by Jen Kasten, Chicago, www.my1event.com, [email protected] YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 8PHOTOGRAPHY: Alyssa McElheny PhotographyBUSINESSES: Claudia Vazquez/LatinAsia Destination Wedding Décor, Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort WEDDING DATE: Nov. 6, 2015GUEST COUNT: 84INVOLVEMENT: Full consultingTHE COUPLE: From the first time I met Alexis and Chris, they had a clear vision of their wedding. While interested in a destination wedding, the bride didn’t want the typical beach-casual approach. Instead, she wanted a black-tie, formal wedding with rustic accents. Chris wanted to make sure that the fun factor was present. A small, all-inclusive hotel with great amenities and fantastic venues was the ideal solution. My challenge was to find an ocean-view venue that was secluded enough to guarantee privacy for the ceremony and reception. Within the first few meetings, Alexis and I developed a friendly collaboration, where creativity was possible but hard decisions could also be made. A food and fashion blogger, Alexis trusted my knowledge and style enough to listen to my suggestions. Together, we created the perfect layout for her and Chris’ wedding. INSPIRATION: Alexis was inspired by formal city weddings that includ-ed rustic accents. “AHA” MOMENT: The “aha” moment was converting a sterile-looking ballroom into a dream wedding location utilizing architectural illumi-nation and a great floor plan.MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: Personal touches provided the unique elements. These included: a tequila and cigar bar; a memory altar for lost loved ones; a high-tech dance floor; and romantic, lush, rustic flowers and decorations.

COLOR PALETTE: Blush, white, gold, and deep blueBUDGET: $30,000 STAFF HOURS: Due to the nature of destination weddings, we typically hire staff locally—in this case, in Mexico. Our services include three-day coordination; approximately two extra staff members—besides the head planner—for 16-18 total hours for each staff.PLANNING TIME: 10 monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: 10REVENUE BREAKDOWN: 40% planning, 10% outside supplier commis-sion(s), 50% hotel commission(s)BIGGEST CHALLENGE: By far, the biggest challenge for this wedding was facing adversity. Within the last week of planning, the hotel no-tified me that the venue where the ceremony was to take place had suffered some damage and was no longer available. This, unfortu-nately, is common, and sometimes hotels don’t disclose the reality until it is too late. Luckily, I was able to protect my clients’ interests and negotiate concessions and benefits for the inconvenience. Then, 48 hours before the wedding, extreme bad weather conditions caused damage to the rehearsal dinner venue to the point that safety was a concern. As an alternative, we were able to close a local restaurant for a private rehearsal dinner. Finally, with rain and wind blowing over 18 knots, the reception venue had to be moved to a dark, dated ballroom; which we brought to life with the help of additional decorations and impressive architectural lighting. LEARNINGS: When planning a wedding, couples are on the hunt for a perfect wedding planner and finding the right fit is vital for their sanity. However, I learned that it is equally important for wedding professionals to select business opportunities based on mutual trust and respect. As wedding professionals, we work with our couples for eight or more months, so choosing whom you want to work with is crucial for a successful journey from both sides. WPM

inspired by formal city weddings with rustic accents

REAL WEDDING | PANAMA

PLANNER: Gabriela Abraham, Stylo Panama, Panama City, Panama, www.stylopanama.com, [email protected], [email protected] YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 7PHOTOGRAPHY: Lizzie PhotographyBUSINESSES: Intercontinental Miramar Hotel Panama, Los Rabanes, Joker Animation, Dragon Rojo Fireworks, Belle Invites, Blue Mango Music bandWEDDING DATE: Oct. 10, 2015GUEST COUNT: 200 INVOLVEMENT: Full consultingTHE COUPLE: Paula and Ernesto say they met by “error.” The couple met five years ago by accident online. At that time, both were in a rela-tionship, so it was not until some time later, when they spoke again as singles, that romantic feelings emerged. One night, they went to dinner in a spot with a view of the sea and cool breeze. Unexpectedly, the po-lice arrived and asked if a car, parked in a particular place, was theirs because a window was broken. Indeed, it was Ernesto’s. The police warned them to be cautious. This scary moment was transformed into a funny story and the beginning of their tale. Ernesto proposed on a Valentine’s Day date. At first, they wanted to get married in Las Vegas, but in the end, they realized that they wanted families and friends to share their special day with them.INSPIRATION: Romantic and chic“AHA” MOMENT: Witnessing this couple’s love and affection for one another and their love for their friends and family inspired the ro-

mantic design. When they danced their first dance, we included an explosion of flower petals. MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: There are thousands of species of or-chids in Panama, so our centerpieces highlighted the Panama orchids.COLOR PALETTE: Navy blue, yellow, and whiteBUDGET: $30,000 STAFF HOURS: Working at the wedding, from the ceremony to recep-tion, was eight hours. Set up was about 16 hours.PLANNING TIME: Six monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: Around 17 BUDGET BREAKDOWN: 30% venue, 22% decoration and planning, 20% show artist (Grammy Award-winning Los Rabanes), 7% pho-tographer, 5% music, 4% drinks, 3% rentals, 3% stationery, 3% dessert, 3% entertainment. BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Dealing with the budget and making the magic happen within the price range is always a challenge. Also, coor-dinating a 53-member wedding party was not without difficulty. In total, there were six couples between the groom, the groom’s par-ents and godparents, plus 17 pairs of groomsmen and bridesmaids, along with the ring bearers, arras, rose petals, and rosary, and the bride with her father. We had to coordinate everything to be on time and perfect. They had to remember the order and remember their partners and other details. We did hold a rehearsal, but everyone was so filled with excitement that it was hard for each to focus on the details. Then, the day of, we had 15 minutes to organize and start the ceremony. But everything was on time. WPM

romantic and chic and an explosion of flower petals




REAL WEDDING | ARGENTINA

PLANNERS: Barbara Diez Event Planners, www.BarbaraDiez.com, [email protected] TIME IN INDUSTRY: 17 yearsPHOTOGRAPHER: Gus HildebrandtBUSINESSES INVOLVED: Gerardo Acevedo (décor), Sarapura DJs, EAT catering, M2 (video)WEDDING DATE: May 27, 2017GUEST COUNT: 370THE COUPLE: Natali and Javier exchanged telephone numbers in 2013. He lived in Mar del Plata, Argentina, while she lived in Miami. They saw each other on and off for a year, and Javier decided to move to Miami so they could have a closer relationship. Eventually, they decid-ed to wed, and their day was more than they imagined.INVOLVEMENT: Full consultingINSPIRATION: A “haunted woods” “AHA” DESIGN MOMENT: The whole dance floor was crowned by a huge chandelier that was different from any other, because it was made of mirror tubes that wound around themselves causing a unique, magical light effect. MOST UNIQUE DESIGN ELEMENT: The chandelier was unique and fragile due to its design. It was definitely our most unique element, enabling us to illustrate our theme more fully.COLOR PALETTE: Golden huesBUDGET: Private STAFF HOURS: 3 full days, 10 hours per day PLANNING TIME: 14 monthsCLIENT MEETINGS: Since the couple who was getting married was living abroad, we held four face-to-face meetings and several video confer-ences. It was an average of one per week for the first several months and two per week during the last two months.BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The greatest challenge was the installation and security involved during the installation of the chandelier—and the guar-antee that it would work and be safe for as long as was required. WPM

Haunted woods, and golden hues.

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rom a beautiful oceanfront ceremony overlooking the Arch to a sophisticated

soiree on the terrace of a luxury resort. As one of the most popular locations for destination weddings in Mexico, Los Cabos can cater to any couple’s unique

tastes and personalities. With a long list of award-wining hotels, no shortage of professional services or wedding planners ready to accommodate any budget or group size and a dramatic backdrop, brides and grooms can rest assured that no detail will be overlooked at Land’s End.

Apart from luxurious resort o�erings, couples are urged to experience some of the natural wonders of Los Cabos. Lover's Beach, named after the point where two seas unite, is renowned for its notably calm waters when compared to other surrounding beaches. Lover's Beach is also home to internationally acclaimed landmark, Al Arco, a structure completely unique to Los Cabos. Water transportation is necessary to visit the picturesque beach, which creates a remote and exclusive escape for couples to enjoy.

The required paperwork for a marriage Los Cabos is similar to that required in the U.S., with the di�erence being that the nearest Mexican consulate must validate all documents (your hotel or wedding coordinator can assist with this process).There are two forms of weddings performed in Mexico.

One is the Civil Wedding which changes your marital status from single to married and is recognized as legal throughout the world; and the other ceremony is the religious, this kind ceremony does not change your marital status in Mexico or anywhere in the world. It is possible to have both the civil and non-denominational ceremony completing the

legalities in the Judge’s chambers and having the minister for your sunset

wedding at a location of your choice.

For those couples wanting a church wedding, several Los Cabos resorts o�er unique chapels for the ceremony, a few of which are listed:

With its cobblestone lanes, winding paths, quaint fountains, restaurants and shops, The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa, captures the feel of Old Mexico - despite its status as one of Baja California's newest destinations. Whether the couple is looking for an intimate ceremony for two or a gala wedding celebration, the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar’s unique Capilla (Chapel) room is the perfect place for the wedding ceremony.

The One and Only Palmilla is an unparalleled setting for romance. Romantic and picturesque, the One and Only Palmilla's chapel has been an enchanting and favored place for bridal couples to exchange their nuptial vows since 1956. The quaint chapel sits high on a hill overlooking the ocean, surrounded by swaying palms and vibrant bougainvillea. Guests can also stage their wedding ceremony on the pristine white sand beach with the Sea of Cortés as a backdrop.

One of the newest chapels in the destination, El Corazon is the open-air, five story wedding chapel at Cabo Azul Resort in San Jose del Cabo. With the Sea of Cortes as your backdrop and candlelit waterfalls setting the mood, this is considered one of the most romantic locations for exchanging vows.Los Cabos o�ers to couples the most secluded and romantic retreats that will make this day unforgettable.

Palmilla chapel

An elegant, newly constructed chapel at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, is set adjacent to the Salón Monasterio and o�ers seating for 140 guests with superb views of the Pacific Ocean. This stunning hillside resort is renown for its optimum location from which to observe Baja’s magnificent sunsets.

Sunset chapel El corazon Hacienda del mar chapel

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