By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting, Richmond, Va. This year’s Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference, Business of Brides, set for Nov. 10-12 at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, promises to be both insightful and entertaining as Matthew Robbins, a highly-acclaimed event and flower designer, shares industry insight...

By Elise Enloe, MBCTM, ABC Vice President of North American Operations & Director of Education, Oviedo, Fla. The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) seminars are being refreshed with consistent branding and are no longer being referred to as “Expanding Horizons.” A cadre of select, senior ABC masters-level members facilitates the...

By Cris Joseph, Classic Party Rentals, San diego The request is always the same. “I want a tented wedding, but I don’t want it to look like a tent.” It’s a little riddle that an experienced event rental consultant can help you solve. Today’s trends in tenting and décor allow...

by Linda Hiniker, Carlson Craft, North Mankato, Minn. Fast forward 25 years or so, turn, and take a look back at the weddings that took place in 2013.  You might find it difficult to distinguish exactly, or even approximately, what year you’re reviewing, because today’s couples are on a quest...

By Wendy Dahl, PBC™, Chic Productions, Huntington Beach, Calif.   
Barbara Diez Event Planners Color breathes life into every wedding design.  Choosing the right colors for a wedding is a key decision that affects the personality and aesthetics of the environment.  Some brides are design savvy and use colors with ease,...

By Lois Pearce, MBC™, Beautiful Occasions, Hamden, Conn.    Photography by Victoria Angela Photography This year, the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) welcomed nine new Master Bridal Consultants™, among 18 candidates, at the Business of Brides annual conference in Denver. Mirrored after the three-step Guild System in Europe, the Association of...

The Dazzle of Diamonds and the Down-to-Earth of Denim Delight Attendees By Wendie Bass, PBC™,  Let’s Plan It, Arvada, Colo.   photography HARDYKLAHOLD Photography Called Diamonds & Denim in Denver, this year’s annual 
Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) Business of Brides conference opened with emphasis on the denim at a casual,...

Erin Schulte Exclusive Events, Inc. St. Louis, Mo. www.ExclusiveEventsInc.com Annual weddings: 175 ON INSPIRATION/DESIGN: “Inspiration comes easiest after a good night’s rest. Then, it means opening up your eyes and ears to your surroundings. Coming from a background in theater arts, I had an amazing professor who really taught me...

By Tonia Adleta, PBC™, Aribella Events, Philadelphia, Pa. Photography by Danielle Vennard Photographer Like most good things, “Love on the Rocks” started over coffee, a triple grande caramel macchiato, to be precise. Catching up on life and business with Danielle Vennard, of Danielle Vennard Photographer, we shared our hopes—hers to...

By Beth Erickson Elopements of the past were done secretly and in a hurry with little thought given to the trimmings of traditional weddings. Couples eloped because they couldn’t afford a proper wedding or because their families didn’t approve—leading them to long lines at the courthouse or saying “I do”...

By Nicole Zenner, PBC™, LK Events, Inc., Chicago Social media is forever changing. New platforms and tools sprout up seemingly overnight proving that no matter how long you’ve dabbled in social media, you have to keep testing, evolving, and rethinking the tactics for your business. If you’re one of the...

By Aviva Zack, Bliss Wedding Design, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada The economy has been sagging and bouncing like an old mattress for several years now. Just as you can’t get a decent night’s sleep on a ropey bed with peek-a-boo springs, you can’t maintain business as usual in a dodgy economy....

By Beth Erickson, Wedding Planner Magazine 1. Late-Night Wedding Snacks Guests who stay well past the main meal to socialize and dance the night away work up an appetite, which is why many brides and grooms add late-night wedding snacks to cap off their day. Items often resemble “street fare...

By Brigid Horne-Nestor, MBC™ When I started my wedding planning business over 15 years ago, I had no idea what I should charge. Not yet a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), I didn’t even know other wedding planners to ask. Knowing what others are charging can be...

By Mary Dann-McNamee, MA, MFT Ever wonder what to say to your 
assistant that will inspire her or him toward success and decrease the amount of times they “miss the boat”? Given the high-stress, detail-oriented nature of wedding planning, forgetfulness from assistants is a challenge that industry professionals throughout the...

By JoAnn Gregoli, MBC™, and Beth Erickson Destination weddings, by definition, are weddings that take place in a location where the bride and groom do not reside. Often, these weddings are outside of one’s home country and passports are required. But, increasingly, destination weddings are being held a bit closer...

Talk the Talk—Know the Terminology Resorts offer the most comprehensive meal packages, but the destination wedding specialists should know the terminology associated with hotel rates: AP—American Plan: Three meals a day are included in the room rate. EP—European Plan: Lodging only is quoted and no meals are included. MAP—Modified American Plan: Two meals a day are included in the room rate. CP—Continental Plan: Continental breakfast only is included in the room rate. All-inclusive—All drinks, meals, and activities are included in the room rate. Hot Tips Make Destination Planning a Breeze •    Budget right—develop an overall budget, keeping in mind added expenses you may incur, such as travel, hotel, meals, transfers. Buffer in any exchange rate for weddings that occur in Europe, Asia, or Mexico. •    Hire a translator—to help you become familiar with the location. •    Find a destination friendly locale—in Europe there are many hotels that do not welcome...

Vintage Style Reigns Supreme By Rachel Cripps-Gervais, PBC™, An English Rose, Luxury Lifestyle Weddings Photos courtesy of Rachel Cripps-Gervais, PBC™ Something old was definitely in the air at the UK National Wedding Show 2012, held in February in London. In fact, everywhere in London, whether the local High Street store...

The Wit and Wisdom of Donnie Brown By Beth Erickson Attendees at this year’s Business of Brides will be in for a treat when keynote speaker, celebrity wedding planner, and Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) member Donnie Brown takes the stage for “Kick Up Your Heels—And Your Events: Taking Weddings...

By Kim King Smith, ABC™, Kim King Smith Events, Edinburgh/Indianapolis, Ind. Twinkling lights. Fresh air. Outdoor revelry. Tented weddings are a gorgeous way to celebrate a momentous day. But to make a tented affair an event to remember, the professional bridal consultant must work closely with vendors to create a...

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What do the 2012 Olympics, The King’s Speech, and the royal wedding have in common? Each is part of the recent cultural influences that continue to shape color trends. According to Leslie Harrington, executive director of the Color Association of the United States (CAUS), emerging color palettes are about evolution...

By Bonnie Pickett Cinderella is apt to dance in a prospective bride’s memory as she plans her wedding day. Whether in a church, a synagogue, or a gazebo, no matter if it’s formal or informal, it is her time to be the princess at the center of the celebration. Unlike...

  A Trend That’s Taking Root By Kate Harrison, Green Bride Guide Did you know that the average wedding produces 400 pounds of garbage and 63 tons of carbon dioxide? With 2.2 million weddings a year, the impact of weddings on the earth is undeniably significant. Today’s generation is increasingly...

Charmed by Details Dazzled by Inspiration By Gloria Boyden, MBC™ Inspiration was everywhere at the Association of Bridal Consultants Business of Brides 2011 conference in Baltimore. Attendees were impressed with the grandeur and elegance of the historic Tremont Hotel, where they networked among peers, gained new business ideas, and were...

What It Means to Be a Master By Lois Pearce, MBC™, Master Panel Facilitator 2011 What does it mean to “master” your profession? It means having your finger on the pulse of the wedding industry. It means going above and beyond in quality and service to your clients. It means...

Mining Future Business Around Present Brides By Sharon Naylor, Author, www.sharonnaylor.com You treat your brides like diamonds, but did you know there are precious gems surrounding her? Yes, the four or so bridesmaids—and the moms—are potential future business. Each of these ladies might book you to plan weddings, bridal showers, wedding breakfasts, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, anniversary parties, and the list goes on and on. So, make it your goal to polish your interactions beyond the bridal couple. Your image and future business depend not only on impressing your current brides, but on everyone around her as well. Here are a few tips:

By Beth Erickson Rustic Chic Adding rustic, natural elements with an upscale flair to indoor or outdoor weddings is increasing in popularity. This rustic chic style is illustrated with flea market finds that complement the modern attire, floral, linens, and food. Think mason jars filled with homemade jelly as take-aways,...

21 Couples, 39 Vendors By Stacey Gitten, Hitching Post Public Relations “On May 22, I remarried my best friend and hero. I was greeted by 20 other eager brides. We all shared the same stories, so we weren’t strangers because we share a bond that cannot be broken. During the...

Here’s What to Do—and What Not to By Frank J. Andonoplas, MBC™ Bridal shows are a great opportunity for wedding consultants to meet new vendors and see new trends—all under one roof. Still, as with any social event, there are rules of etiquette that must be followed to avoid the...

By Pamella Pride, Epicure of Design From artistic interpretations of themes to lavish displays of floral elegance and extravagance, quality flower shows capture the hearts of floral and garden enthusiasts each year. Here are highlights from two of the most recent top shows in floral display and design. 2011 Newport...

By Beth Erickson Since the dawn of time, food has brought both nourishment and pleasure. In pursuit of culinary delights to satisfy our cravings, we have explored the world, savoring the succulent tastes of food from different countries and cultures. For those who haven’t traveled, the world comes to us...

by Beth Erickson Destination weddings used to be synonymous with elopement. Times have changed. True, destination wedding couples still run off to wed, but they do so with their guests and to any location that’s not home. Today’s destination weddings take place on beaches, in castles, at ancient ruins, in...

By Howard Kier photography – Magical Moments Photography If a photograph of a person is hung in a corridor as decoration, it is considered art. But if that exact same photograph is hung in the exact same location and used as an advertisement, another set of rules comes into play....

By Sonia Abrams Photography shutterstock Royal wedding fever swept the globe on Friday, April 29. In the months leading up to the wedding, speculation was rife surrounding the style, flowers, and of course, the dress.  The media filled hours of airtime second-guessing the style and color scheme.  When the wait...

The wedding industry would be nothing without passion—both the passion of the bride and groom and the passion of wedding planners and consultants whose goal is to make the wedding day a testament to love. Miss Dorothy Penner, MBC™, a long-time Association of Bridal Consultant (ABC) member from Louisville, Ky.,...

By Howard Kier It happens all the time. You are involved in planning a perfect wedding. The clients love the results. A few days later, you look at the photographer’s website and see the stunning photos. Whether you planned the event, provided the floral, linens, or another special part of...

by Beth Erickson Just as an artist’s canvas is stretched on its frame and primed for paint, so, too, is the canvas of a tent—awaiting only resolute brushstrokes and blushes of color to transform it from blank to beautiful. “Unlike using an existing banquet facility, a tent can be considered...

By Elise Enloe, MBC™ Combine Grace Ormonde and Diann Valentine as the featured speakers along with some incredible breakout sessions and you have this year’s Annual Conference from Nov. 6-8 in Baltimore. Keynotes will “charm” and “dazzle” Born in the Azores and raised in Rhode Island, Grace Ormonde became interested...

By Beth Erickson – Photo ©Photo Images of Northbrook, Ill The gods called it fate. The Buddhists call it karma. Most of us today say, “What you put out is what you get back.” What is it? It’s the simple recognition that we are part of something bigger than ourselves,...

By Beth Erickson Today’s color choices paint a spectrum that seems greater than the rainbow glimpsed by Sir Isaac Newton when he first shone white light through a prism more than 300 years ago. not only is the range of color stunning, but the names are inspired—from sunflower and burnt...