|
ALL THINGS WEDDINGS
In a way, this is how I felt when I first learned about WIPA. It was love at first sight when I found this nonprofit organization that was all about raising the bar for wedding professionals. My feelings deepened when I attended and took part in seminars and education that taught the finer points of business and planning. And I knew it was the real thing when I met and got to know all types of amazing wedding professionals who really care about WIPA and each other. Finally, (you know where this analogy is going, right?) I took the plunge this year to unite on a deeper level with WIPA and become its President! As President, my goal is to continue taking WIPA down the same lovely path that it’s been on under the inspired leadership of Joyce Scardina- Becker and the entire team of people who have worked so hard to form and then sustain the association. I want conversations to continue, connections to deepen and to take the work of WIPA and our members to brides and grooms. We want them to know and understand the worth of a WIPA member who has attended educational sessions, networked with the top professionals in the field and given back to the industry. People just like you and me. Personally I learned a lot last year at WIPA. Professionally I put a lot of what I learned to work when my company and team catered, designed and produced my son’s wedding. I just have to say that it was fabulous! And yes, I do many weddings, but when it is your own son, it becomes something different. It wasn’t just the wedding that was fabulous, but the experience of being the mother of the groom. The experience was intense, happy, sad, frightening, funny, loving, and exhilarating all at the same time. Now, I really do know what my clients and yours go through as we sit down together to plan their wedding or that of their son or daughter. We are their guides but also their collaborators during the process. This experience helped lay the perfect foundation for what I want to do during my presidency of WIPA. I don’t want WIPA to be just about “finding business” as so many associations are. I want it to be about the collective love we share for weddings and most importantly how we can improve the connection to that most important element of a wedding – the bride and groom and their family. As I like to say about any event, it’s all about food, fun and love! This time, the love is for weddings. Join me this year as we come together to make WIPA the premier nonprofit association for wedding professionals. Pauline Parry
WIPA'S MARCH EVENT
|
|
INDUSTRY NEWS
WIPA + TSE = FUN
Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP
Events of Distinction
 |
| Joyce Scardina-Becker, CMP WIPA Founding Sponsor and First President |
Every January, my bags are packed and I’m ready to go to The Special Event Conference and Tradeshow for divine inspiration. If you could not attend TSE 2010 last month in New Orleans, here’s a recap of what you missed…
On Wednesday, January 13, “Un Jardin d’Amour” was the theme of this year’s Wedding Lunch and Gallery. WIPA dined with the fabulous Darcy Miller, Editor of Martha Stewart Weddings (and WIPA Leadership Advisory Board Member) and the dashing Anthony Luscia, Special Projects Editor for Martha Stewart Weddings. I had the pleasure of introducing Darcy to the audience, then Darcy shared with us 15 years of marvelous ideas from Martha. Afterwards, on the TSE Tradeshow floor, Darcy was like a little girl in an eye-candy store– she loves all things bling and glitz!
I said it during my intro of Darcy and I’ll say it again, “over the past 15 years, no one has done more to help brides & grooms and the wedding industry than the editorial staff at Martha Stewart Weddings.” Plus, Darcy and Anthony were both the kindest people you would ever want to meet! Thank you so much Darcy, for all of your WIPA support and help!
Several educational presentations at The Special Event Conference were delivered by WIPA members. Therese Cole-Hubbs, WIPA Founding Sponsor and First Director of Professional Development, presented “The Drama of an Indian Wedding: Acts I-III.” Anseth Page-Richards, WIPA Founding Member, was part of a panel discussion called “Planners Present…Solving the Puzzle of the Perfect Wedding.”
Sharon Dexmier, President of Napa Valley Linens in Northern California, talked about “Anything But White.” Color has become an important way for clients to express their individuality, so it is hardly surprising that weddings have evolved from an absence of color, to full blown color saturation. When choosing linens and designing décor for your weddings, Sharon recommends three colorful principles to follow:
-
Choose a base color first, then focus on accent colors that will enhance the tablescape. Accent colors can be monochromatic (lighter or darker shades of the primary color), analogous (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel), or complementary (colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel). Each will create a different feeling in the room. Monochromatic colors tend to be calming, while complementary colors create high contrast as well as high interest. When in doubt, analogous color palettes always strike a sophisticated balance.
-
The hottest trend in linens is heavily textured fabrics. They create a lot of visual interest and lend themselves to many styles of décor.
-
Patterns are all around us, but keep in mind the environment where your event will take place. Many ballrooms have patterned carpets and walls, so patterned linens in these environments need to be chosen judiciously.
Wendy Maclaurin Richardson and I gave a presentation called “Show Me The Money-Shot: Picture Perfect Ways To Publicize Your Business.” What is a money-shot? It’s a compelling photo that captures attention and shows the details of a wedding you produced. The bridal media loves to publish “real weddings” because they want to educate their audience about the latest ideas and trends.
It’s important to get published, because it stimulates awareness of who you are and creates a demand for your services. Here are 5 Tips for Getting Published (without a publicist):
-
To increase the odds of getting published, each wedding should have a unique design concept.
-
The wedding planner should develop the timeline with photography in mind, allowing the photographer enough time to capture images needed for submitting to the media: the invitation, bouquets, ceremony details, escort card display, cocktail reception area, dining tables, the cake, lounges… it’s all in the details!
-
Make sure lighting and details are in the perfect “position” before the photographer starts snapping away.
-
Collaboration between the wedding planner and photographer works best to submit images to the media. Send 40-60 high-resolution images and a brief background of the couple.
-
Always follow up after submitting.
After wrapping up my presentation, I ran over to see a session by Mike Hogan, WIPA Founding Sponsor and First Treasurer. Mike’s topic was “Making the A-List” – how to build relationships that can lead to having your wedding business added to coveted “preferred vendor” lists. Here are Mike’s 5 top tips:
-
Create relationships with top-tier catering sales managers of hotels and off-premise catering companies by joining such associations as WIPA, NACE and ISES. Get involved in these associations as Board or Committee Members, so others may get to know you. Show respect for other service providers and treat them as the “Expert” of their disciplines.
-
Have a plan for marketing your services to A-List hotels or off-premise caterers. After every wedding with a hotel or catering company, follow up with a thank you note or small token of appreciation that also showcases your services. Be sure to include your contact information on all materials you provide.
-
If a hotel / caterer asks you to provide your services for an “in house” event, try to accommodate their request – it’s a great way to showcase your business. However, you do not need to give away your services – you could perform services at an “industry courtesy discount.”
-
Research and ask about the process for having your company added to the preferred vendor list. Understand the hotel / caterer’s target market and make sure your business has the same target market. Ask to see and review their “Vendor Checklist”.
-
To keep your company on a preferred vendor list, continue to stay in touch and show your appreciation. After you’ve established a relationship, try to have lunch once a year with your contact. Or, invite them to attend an industry meeting as your guest.
Later that evening, WIPA’s Board Members and the Leadership Advisory Board convened at Tommy’s Cuisine for a meeting and dinner. The LAB attendees included a Who’s Who list of industry legends: Tim Lundy, Marcy Blum, Steve Kemble… and Steve even brought along Richard Carbotti to join in the fun! With the support of these renowned experts, WIPA is on the road to great success. For TSE 2011, this road will take us to Phoenix, and I can’t wait to be there!
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!"
Marianne Kent
Owner
Marianne Kent Music
mariannekent@sbcglobal.net
www.mariannekent.com
415.665.4000
We provide dance bands, string groups and jazz trios. Our musicians and entertainers are professional, experience, caring and friendly. Features are our Dance Band/DJ Combos: "Bay Society," "Le Hot Quarter," and "DJazzd." Bay Society played San Francisco's Black & White Ball in 2008. We are dedicated to our clients' wedding day as the most important day of their lives.
Kevin Dennis
Owner
Fantasy Sound Event Services
kevin@fantasysound.com
www.fantasysound.com
925.373.1934
Fantasy Sound Event Services offers exceptional Disc Jockey, Videography, and Event Lighting services for weddings throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We take great pride in the quality of service that our experienced staff provides for our clients in planning their wedding day. Owner Kevin M. Dennis JWIC is also a certified wedding coordinator.
Rick Loveland
Account Manager
The Knot
loveland@theknot.com
www.theknot.com
415.913.7783
The Knot is the Internet's most-trafficed one-stop wedding planning solution. Founded in 1996 to offer a much-needed alternative to the white-gloved, outdated advice of the available etiquette experts, The Knot has quickly become America's leading wedding brand reaching out to millions of engaged couples each year through our award-winning website, books, magazines, and broadcast offerings.
Marcy Jo Melley
Catering Sales Manager
The Prado at Balboa Park
marcy@pradobalboa.com
www.pradobalboa.com
619-557-9441 ext.206
Perfection! The Prado located in the House of Hospitality at Balboa Park...where our experienced, professional staff will blend the grace and splendor of yesterday with the traditions of today to create the event of your dreams. We offer the perfect backdrop for your special day.
WIPA'S 2010 EDUCATION PREVIEW
Tracey Kumer-Moore
WIPA 2010 Director of Education
Tweet: @LVWedConcierge
 |
| Tracey Kumer-Moore WIPA Director of Education |
Well, 2010 and the new decade is underway and I couldn’t be more excited looking ahead to another year of premier educational content and speakers for our WIPA membership.
February 2nd, was our first official meeting in Northern California at The Vintners Inn featuring Branding Expert and Marketing Guru, Liz Goodgold. Liz ignited everyone with "Red Hot Branding Secrets to Boost Your Wedding Business in 2010."
In March, it’s all about Image! Photographic images that is! Renowned Los Angeles photographer, Will Henshall will share his passion and many years of experience with you about “Getting Wonderful Photos of the Magic You Create at Your Events”.
In April, WIPA gets “showered” with “Wedding Wisdom” in the form of notable Wedding Planner, author & TV wedding personality, Mary Dann-McNamee. Mary will share insights on creating & maintaining balance for a successful wedding planning career AND a successful life.
In May, we are honored to have one of our Leadership Advisory Board members, and a very stylish one at that! Cheryl Fish, talks about Something Old, Something New….”Ring” in the Wedding Business that only YOU can do!
In June, Mark Ley, Marketing & Sales for Rancho Valencia & business owner/blog author of “Core Business Development” will engage members in discussing how to utilize Social Media & new Web technologies to market your brand effectively.
July is “KING” when King Dahl, Executive Director of Event Design at MGM MIRAGE Events discusses event design, venues and takes us into the process of turning a couples’ vision into an artistic memorable “event”.
In August, Rebecca Grinnals of Engaging Concepts, creator of the wildly successful “Engage” Luxury Wedding Business Summits, will be sharing her passion, expertise and brilliant insights on the Destination Weddings and the Destination Wedding Market.
October it’s about the FOOD! Catering Management, Service Styles, Food & Beverage Trends.
In November, we are looking to hit all the high notes with Entertainment –Choosing the right & best talent, keeping the energy and impact, new entertainment trends and more!
EXCITED? I told you so! I hope you bookmark your calendars for these great educational opportunities. WIPA is setting the standard in the wedding industry for leading educational content that is relevant and dynamic.
I look forward to seeing you in 2010.
