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ALL THINGS WEDDINGS
One of the dustiest corners I’ve found is in the area of balance between my personal life and work. I listened to Mary Dann, Wedding and Party Coordinator, at the most recent WIPA event at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. The focus of her talk that day was balance. She shared her approach to staying healthy in mind and body even in the busy wedding season -- don’t over commit, hire help when need, exercise and eat correctly. One idea I took away was that of finding a “golden egg” every day. For me, I find that gold at the end of the day when I assess what happened during it – what could I have done differently or better, how could I have improved, what did I learn? I have found that this actually helps me find the balance I seek because there is an accounting for each action and a chance to be proactive and change rather than running around chasing my tail. As a professional, I also look for balance within the work itself. Every event – its design, lighting, entertainment, menu and detail have to come into harmony. And I look for inspiration everywhere. For instance, after that event, several of us stayed for dinner at The Dining Room at Langham’s. My world is all about catering so it felt quite exciting to have a dining experience prepared by the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Michael Voltaggio, who was last season’s winner of Top Chef. He created a meal that was elegant, exciting, delicious, and surprising. It was balanced not only in color and flavor but in geography. From a harvest beginning (seasonal vegetables with warm burrata) we traveled to the sea (black bass with mussels, fennel and quinoa) then to the farms (Jameson Farm lamb and Wagyu Short Ribs). We ended with a dessert, which for this column was appropriately called Fool’s Gold. Of course within each dish as well as overall, the ingredients were perfectly balanced, and yet there were several elements of surprise – certain spices and combinations that I would never have thought possible together. I love that he took risks and that they paid off because at the end of the day, as much as we all love to be balanced, so often the sweetest moments in life are the most unexpected. Pauline Parry
WIPA'S MAY EVENT
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Written by: Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP
Events of Distinction
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| Joyce Scardina-Becker, CMP WIPA Founding Sponsor and First President |
La Tavola Fine Linen Rental released 175 new linens and three new linen books during the week of April 19th. La Tavola's brand new facility in Napa officially opened on Tuesday, April 20 for their linen book release party. It is just two doors down from their old location, but three times as large, offering private rooms for industry professionals to meet with their clients.
The new linen release is also being celebrated at La Tavola’s other locations – in San Francisco on April 23, in Beverly Hills on April 27, and at the Grand Opening of their new Santa Barbara location on April 29. Tracey Kumer-Moore and Ali Phillips are featured in the March/April issue of Special Events Magazine, in an article entitled "Four Star Style: The Charms of the Hotel Wedding."
Tracey also was recently named to the first ever "A-List" of top Destination Wedding Planners by "Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine."
A photo by Joel Eckman Maus, Owner of Studio EMP, is featured in the current issue of "The Resort at Pelican Hill" magazine. Joel's photo appears with a feature interview of George Nickels, the Director of Weddings for The Resort at Pelican Hill.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
WIPA would like to welcome and thank our newest Members for joining and supporting such a wonderful association, as we continue to expand across the Nation! We would like to highlight what it is that makes them "Wedding Industry Professionals!"
Heidi Bianchi
Sam's Chowder House
650-712-0245
www.samschowderhouse.com
heidi@samschowderhouse.com
The fresh scent of the ocean air, the brilliant blue of the Pacific Ocean, and amazing sunsets provide a most romantic oceanfront setting for your special day. Bridal showers, engagement celebrations, weddings, rehearsal dinners and outdoor oceanfront ceremonies can be held in several of our breathtaking ocean view locations.
Rachel Peniche
Plan It San Diego
858-449-8060
www.planitsandiego.com
rachel@planitsandiego.com
Event planning and coordination specializing in wedding design and personalization.
Teri Giordani
Dana Point Yacht Club
949-542-3820
www.dpyc.org
events@dpyc.org
Elegant weddings, special occasions or business meetings, the Dana Point Yacht Club, with our preferred catering team and personal attention to detail will help you create an occasion to remember.
Michelle Nowak
Brilliant Studios LA
323-954-2272
www.brilliantstudios.la
michelle@brilliantstudios.la
Brilliant Studios LA is a team of fabulously talented creative artists that celebrate life and love through the fine arts of wedding photography, film making, scrapbooking, sketch artists and more!
MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT OUR MARCH MEETING
Written by: Tracey Kumer-Moore, JWIC
Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge
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| Tracey Kumer-Moore, JWIC Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge WIPA Education Director |
The historic (102 years old) and elegant Langham Huntington, Pasadena hotel in Southern California welcomed WIPA members and many guests in gracious style on April 6, 2010.
Director of Catering Jill Hilts and the Langham catering staff pulled out all the stops this afternoon. Arriving guests were greeted in the lush “Garden Courtyard” with delicious tray-passed sparkling pink lemonades and other blended fruit juices as bright and sunny as the beautiful day along with a very generous spread of fruit, pastries, coffees and teas. Fusion Linens provided the pop of spring with lovely lime green Shantung linens and Luna Gardens created the floral arrangements. In addition to the networking going on, attendees were enjoying the fun, on-the-spot caricature artistry of Dave Stephens of “Caricatures by Dave”.
Attendees assembled in the hotel’s historic Viennese Ballroom to enjoy the “Wedding Wisdom” of our guest speaker, Wedding Planner and Author, Mary Dann. Mary shared her thoughts, from over 18 years in the wedding industry and 10 in marriage counseling, on how to stay balanced, healthy and spiritually fit in this wonderful yet often hectic industry we love. It was obvious by everyone’s reactions of laughter and nodding heads, Mary’s presentation was packed with advice that was both true and timely.
- Emotional Self (Childlike and unplanned)-Never lose that inner-child, find time in your day to find your joy and reconnect with your spirit & feel like you deserve your success to create a positive energy that attracts the very best to want to associate with you professionally and personally.
- Physical Self (Strong & flexible self) Eat well, exercise and get rest to stay healthy.
- Spiritual Self (Divine, Angelic self) Have a dialogue with your higher power; be grateful and find the gifts in your life that fill that spiritual place in you. Spend time writing, reflecting, spend time with family and friends.
- Mental Self (Adult, Organized self) –Choose to focus, be centered, make time to achieve your goals, set a schedule that is productive and doesn’t sabotage your confidence to get things done. Make positive statements about yourself, create boundaries, not walls.
After Mary’s presentation, lunch was served in the other historical ballroom, the Georgian Ballroom. Fusion Linens again provided the Fruitwood Chiavari chairs beautiful Peacock hued linens with Luna Gardens creating lovely and lush spring floral arrangements.
An “Amuse Bouche”; a surprising and delightful take on Caprese Salad was followed by a Japanese Tomato Avocado Ceviche with Hamachi. Balsamic Seared Arctic Char entrée with Warm Tomato Salad was beautifully presented and every bite delicious.
While networking and dining guests were serenaded by the fabulous “Infusion Experience” created by 11H Entertainment that blends mixed recorded music with the very best live music (in this case percussion & Flamenco guitar) to create customized ambience and spectacular, memorable events.
Special Interest Groups (SIG) gathered back in the Viennese Ballroom and delighted in a fantastic and inventive Dessert Table spread that included Mango Sphere with Poprocks, Truffle Poprocks, Hand Crafted Truffles and Macaroons.
The event came to a close with a lovely tour by Jill Giltz of this historic, landmark property to see what guests experience during their stay as well as their wedding amenities, all while enjoying the gorgeous scenery and stately grounds of the Langham Huntington.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Venue
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
Jill Hilts
Director of Catering Sales
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-568-3900
jill.hilts@langhamhotels.com
www.pasadena.langhamhotels.com
Linens/Rentals
Fusion Linens
Veronica Taylor
Account Manager
22600 Lambert Street
Lake Forest, CA 92630-1623
949-916-4880
veronica@fusionlinens.com
www.fusionlinens.com
Photographer
Laura Christin Photography
Laura Christin
4617 50th street
San Diego, CA 92115
619-518-4228
laura@laurachristinphotography.com
www.LauraChristinPhotography.com
Caricature Artist
Caricatures by Dave
Dave Stephens
1742 Bonneyville Drive
Spring Valley, CA 91977
619 807-7287
dave@caricaturesbydave.com
www.caricaturesbydave.com
Printing
Events of Distinction
Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP
41 Heather Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-751-0211
joyce@eventsofdistinction.com
www.eventsofdistinction.com
Floral
Luna Gardens
Ricardo Luna
9062 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
310-281-2565
ricardo@lunagardens.com
www.lunagardens.com
Videography
Joe Park Weddings
Joe Park
4831 Monroe Avenue
San Diego, CA 92115
714-501-4241
joep@joeparkweddings.com
www.joeparkweddings.com
Entertainment
11H Entertainment
Steven Muchnij
3835R East Thousand Oaks Blvd., #233
Westlake Village, CA 91362
888.378.9911
steven@11Hentertainment.com
www.11Hentertainment.com
MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT OUR FIRST CHICAGO MEETING
Written by: Pauline Parry
Good Gracious! Events
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| Pauline Parry 2010 WIPA President |
Chicago was in all its glory; the trees were flowering in full white blossoms and I experienced perfect warm spring temperatures and hospitality that could not have been finer. As the song goes “My kind of town, Chicago is...”
The reason for my visit was to support Bill Pry, of BBJ Linens, Director of Chapter Formation for WIPA as he brought together the finest wedding professionals for WIPA’s first launch outside of California.
It was indeed a pleasure to share an evening with wedding professionals that care about the Wedding Industry. Our sponsors came together seamlessly under the direction of Jennifer Anderson of Jennifer Anderson and Associates. One would think we did this for a living!? We also had guests from BizBash, Brides.com, Chicago Brides and Chicago Social. And not wanting to miss out on any discovery about WIPA, a team of people came to the event journeying in style via limousine from Milwaukee. We had a full house of qualified people who wanted to know more about how WIPA is helping to bring higher levels of education to the industry, how they can develop professional growth opportunities, and raise the bar for ethical and professional conduct in the wedding industry.
The evening proved to be even more successful as individuals became members and Greg Hyder, of the Peninsula Hotel announced he would host the first meeting in June. Thank you CHICAGO!!!!! WIPA is moving in the right direction of growth. I am proud to be part of it and I know looking back in five years times I will feel even prouder to have been here at the start of this fine organization.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Event Planner:
Jennifer Anderson and Associates
Jennifer Anderson
3800 North Lake Shore Drive No. 8C
Chicago, IL 60613
773-296-4350
Jennifer@jenniferandersonevents.com
www.Jenniferandersonevents.com
Venue:
Chicago Illuminating Company
Marta Michulka
19 East 21 Street
Chicago, IL 60616
312-326-9500
marta@chicagoilluminatingcompany.com
www.chicagoilluminatingcompany.com
Linens:
BBJ Linens
Bill Pry
7855 Gross Point Road
Skokie, IL 60077
847-329-8400
bpry@bbjlinen.com
www.bbjlinens.com
Catering:
Calihan Catering
John Calihan
833 West Haines
Chicago, IL 60622
312-587-3553
johnc@calihancatering.com
www.calihancatering.com
Catering:
Berghoff Catering
Carlyn Berghoff
17 West Adams
Chicago, IL 60614
312-408-0200
events@berghoffgroup.com
www.cbcaters.com
Catering:
Design Cuisine
Michael Grossman
16400 West Buckley Road
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-247-1111
mgrossman@cateringbymichaels.com
www.cateringbymichaels.com
Catering:
Weddings by Blue Plate
Jessica McLean
1061 West Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60607
312-421-6666
jperna@blueplatechicago.com
www.blueplatechicago.com
Catering:
Limelight Catering
Marguerite Lytle
2000 North Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773-883-3080
margarite@limelightcatering.com
inquiry@limelightcatering.com
www.limelightcatering.com
Wedding Cake:
Take the Cake
Mary Winslow
1635 West Walnut
Chicago, IL 60612
312-850-4530
ttcetc@sbcglobal.net
www.takethecakeetc.com
Entertainment:
Cagen Music LLC
Don and Becky Cagen
915 Shermer Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-559-0900
info@cagenmusic.com
www.cagenmusic.com
Party Rentals:
Halls Rentals
Jack Luft
6130 West Howard
Niles, IL 60714
847-929-2222
jluft@hallsrental.com
www.hallsrental.com
Event Design:
Kehoe Designs
Tom Kehoe
2108 West Walnut Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312-421-0030
Tom@Kehoedesigns
www.kehoedesigns.com
Event Design:
Heffernan Morgan Designs
Bob Mertzlufft
1915 North Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
773-782-0800
BobM@HMDesigns.com
www.heffernanmorgan.com
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM OUR MEMBERS!
If you have an idea or story to share, tell us about it!
WIPA sends out monthly newsletters and your story can be published! Submit a 250-word proposal to Desiree Patterson of Social Creative at desiree@socialcreativellc.com and we will consider your article for upcoming editions.
