ABC Annual Conference

You’ll “Fall in LOVE” with the ABC Business of Brides Annual Conference November 8-10, 2009!
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Frank Andonoplas, MBC –Andonoplas in Indianapolis…Frankly Speaking

16 year member and Master Bridal Consultant will share how he went from Banker to Wedding Consultant and his secrets to success. He will then highlight some of his award winning wedding designs followed by “Ask Frank” a past ABC popular breakout session.

Peggy Post – Peaceful Planning…How Wedding Etiquette Impacts Your Business

Peggy Post will explain the true meaning and importance of etiquette. She will discuss the three fundamental principles that are the core of all etiquette. Sticky wedding scenarios will be presented, and she will provide solutions for handling difficult people and situations. Peaceful planning is good for business, and Peggy Post will show how wedding etiquette can have a positive impact on your business.

Sylvia Weinstock – The Importance of the Wedding Cake

The wedding cake is a major focal point in any wedding. While much of the day may be a blur, a bride will always remember her wedding cake.
From school teacher to ”The Leonardo Da Vinci of Cakes,” the secret ingredient for Sylvia Weinstock’s success is that she takes no shortcuts. She’ll be sharing some of her other secrets and insights on cakes and the wedding industry in this one-of-a-kind session for ABC.

Rebecca Grinnals – Rising to the Top When Everyone’s an Expert

Rebecca will be conducting a senior-level session limited to Accredited Level and above, and for senior members (10 ABC years). The barrier to entry has never been lower for those entering any facet of the wedding industry. A 20+ wedding industry veteran, Rebecca will explore the topic of staying relevant in a rapidly changing competitive environment. Her session will explore options to leverage your years of expertise and hard won reputation, opportunities to develop alternative streams of revenue, keeping up with social media while using it to reinforce your credibility & explain why experience matters and more. Fall in LOVE with INDY

Association of Bridal Consultants "Business of Brides"
Annual Conference 2009 • Indianapolis, IN • Nov 8 - Nov 10
For additional information about the conference, please click here
http://www.bridalassn.com/AC2009.aspx

Conference Registration Options Each attendee must be registered separately Registration fee includes opening reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, all breaks, all educational sessions and trade show. Fee includes a $50.00 non-refundable reservation fee.

2009 Annual Conference Regular Registration: $675 for registration's received March 16th through September 15th. Full payment is due with registration.
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2009 Annual Conference Late Registration: $775 for registrations received September 16th through October 31th. (SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE SPACE). No attendee registrations will be accepted after October 31, 2009.

2009 Annual Conference NON-MEMBER Registration: $795 Register with full payment by October 15th. (non-members cannot register after this date)
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Guest of attendee for Sunday night opening reception : $50 For an additional guest Sunday night opening reception. (Opening reception is included with your full conference registration).
Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Sunday’s Opening Cocktail Reception
The Hyatt Regency Ballroom is transformed for the “Diamonds” reception. Food stations featuring abundant selections, will help you ease into the beginning of the conference. The old-time glitter and glamour of the past is resurrected for this event. Meet your state members before you come, then network and visit with new friends and old from so many different locales. Attire: Cocktail
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Cancellation - All registrations include a $50.00 non-refundable fee. Cancellations received by September 30 will receive a full refund less that fee. Cancellations after September 30 will receive a 50% credit towards any future ABC service, No refund or credit for "no shows."

Click here for more informaion and optional items. http://www.bridalassn.com/AC2009.aspx

ABC Professional Events for Members

Professional Events
ABC North Carolina State Meetings & Events

Wedding Planning Seminar for the New and Aspiring Wedding Planner
Date: July 12, 2009
Time: 10am – 3pm
Where: Charlotte, NC
Fee: $75 Members; $99 Non-Members (non-refundable)
Deadline: All registration and payments must be received by July 1 Acceptable forms of payment include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
ONLINE RESERVATIONS & DETAILS

Weddings & Marketing Your Business
Date: September 13, 2009
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Where: Carolina Colours Pavilion, New Bern, NC
Fee: $99.00 Members and $149.00 Non Members
Deadline: All registration and payments must be received by September 1 Acceptable forms of payment include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
ONLINE RESERVATIONS & DETAILS

The Ultimate Wedding Experience
Date: October 11, 2009
Time: Noon – 5pm
Where: Doubletree Hotel Southpark, Charlotte, NC
Deadline: All booth requests must be received by October 1, 2009View Floor Plans: Barringer or Selwyn I & II or Pavillion
Official Bridal Show Website
MORE INFORMATION

2010 State Meeting
Date: April 11, 2010
Time: 9am – 4pm
Where: Asheville Renaissance Hotel
Fee: $99.00 Members and $149.00 Non Members Deadline: All registration and payments must be received by April 1 Acceptable forms of payment include MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
Hotel Information
ONLINE RESERVATIONS & DETAILS

LNG Co-Directors Needed

We need LNG Co-Directors in – Greensboro, Charlotte, and Asheville. The more you put in something - the more you get out of it!!

At our last Co-Directors meeting we discussed several things, such as:

We went through how the LNG meetings are going and Raleigh stated that they had more interest.by using www.meetup.com. New Bern meetings are going well.

Raleigh Brides Against Breast Cancer Feb 2010 – we went through the “To Do” list and assigned action items, removed some and added some. I updated that list and e-mailed access to it for everyone. We also finalized the Bridal Show Plan and that was e-mailed out also.

September New Bern Meeting – I also sent the forms for sign up, please take them to your meetings, we need people to sign up to attend!!

April 2010 Meeting – This one will be April 11th in Asheville. I am working to get a large name wedding designer and hopefully Sandra Hadley to go though “How to close a sale as a wedding planner” more information and a “To Do” list will follow.

Membership Booklet – Pam is creating one with all of our member’s information in it. It will go into a 3 ring binder and will be available at our September meeting.

NC Wedding Pros Social Marketing Tool – If you haven’t joined yet, be sure to do so and join your LNG Groups so you can send messages, all of NC has been invited.

NC Wedding Pros main website. If everyone could take a minute and go though each page of the website and fax or e-mail me with changes/updates/ideas I would appreciate it!

October Bridal Show – I posted booth forms on the google docs, please also take them to your LNG meetings, we need booth reservations!

This was a great meeting. We discussed several things & got a lot done. We always have fun when we get together! So think about becoming an LNG Co-Director, it's fun & you lean a lot! Please give it a try & contact Veronica to find out more.

Upcoming Sandals Workshops

2009 Workshop - Chapel Hill, NC
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
07:30 Hours - 12:00 Hours
Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro Street
Chapel Hill NC 27516

2009 Workshop - Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
07:30 Hours - 12:00 Hours
Embassy Suites Hotel
4800 South Tryon Street
Charlotte NC 28217

Our concise and fast-paced workshop will highlight all that's new with Sandals, Beaches, Royal Plantation and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts! Led by expert Trainers, you will learn how to grow your business with the industry's most cutting-edge partnership programs, acquire new product insights, updates, and so much more!! This workshop will fulfill the educational requirement towards becoming a CERTIFIED SANDALS SPECIALIST as well as the maintenance requirement for agents already holding CSS Status.

After you are Certified - Get Co-Branded!
Leverage your existing Internet presence with the Sandals brand to generate extra income for your agency. It's simply the best way to sell Sandals, Beaches and Royal Plantation to your online visitors.
Best of all, we'll do all the work of maintaining the site up-to-date -- all you have to do is place a link with a referral code to our site and we'll track that client's visit. If he/she requests a brochure, it will be sent in you behalf. With our online pre-registration form, you'll be able to keep track of the status of all your Sandals and Beaches bookings.
View a sample cobranded site
No content to maintain
Benefit from an entire site dedicated to Sandals / Beaches
Get full commission on converted bookings

Brochure requests are sent on your behalf
To Get Cobranded Call: 1-800-48-SPECIAL
First call 1-800-48SPECIAL to enroll and obtain a referral number.

Realistic Budget, Great Event

A Realistic Budget Makes for A Great Event,
by Angela Plummer, Professional Wedding Consultant.

Planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful times in your life. Most couples have big ideas of what they want their wedding to be like. But when it comes to paying for it they blow their budget or really never develop one.
Start from the ground up.
I first sit down with the couple and anyone who is financially contributing to the event and discuss the amount that they have in mind. During the discussion what also comes into play is what type of wedding and reception they plan to have, i.e. simple or extravagant or somewhere in between.
What is important to the couple, having the ceremony being the main attraction or the reception?
What type of event will it be (formal, semi-casual, casual, inside or outside)?
Whatever type of event that you are having how many guests can you afford to invite?
When do you want to get married? I know just about 90% of couples want to get married in June or July, but if you get married during the off season during fall and winter it could save you money.
What time of day will your event take place? This also comes into play when you looking at your budget. If you get married at 6 pm and have a sit down dinner or buffet on a Saturday more than likely you are at your budgets limit or very close to it. Think about having it on Friday or a Sunday early afternoon with heavy hors d'oeuvres. I know a week day might be hard for some of your guests to get away but if they can’t make it later on you can have a get together on a week end and throw a party.
For some budgets that are really tight, think about a destination wedding. You can invite just a couple of your closest family and friends for an intimate affair for just a fraction of the cost of having a full blown wedding and reception.
Hiring a wedding consultant that is the question.
I know a lot of you say you simply can’t afford a wedding consultant, but you really can’t afford not too! An initial investment in a consultant can save you a LOT of money, stress and time. A good consultant will know how to adapt your needs and wants. If you find a certified wedding consultant who has been professionally trained, they will have the experience and reputable business contacts that can get you through this stressful time with ease.
Other ways to stretch your budget.
Be open mined think “outside the box”. Don’t be afraid to try something different, unique let your personality come alive! If you are a crafty person or know someone who is, create your own invitations, favors, table settings. These could be ways to stretch your budget especially if it’s already busting at the seams.

Angela Plummer
Professional Wedding Consultant
Owner, Pink Label Wedding Creations

April 11, 2010 Event in Asheville

Well, we are at the middle of the year and things are still going strong with ABC! We hope that your businesses are succeeding beyond your wildest dreams also. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up to mark your calendars for an April 11, 2010 Event in Asheville. More information will be posted on the http://www.ncweddingpros.com/ website shortly. I just wanted you do mark the date, reserve your room and get ready!
We are currently in the planning process of getting a speaker, but we are looking at a design speaker and a wedding business marketing speaker, hopefully we will get those speakers confirmed by the end of next month so you’ll know more information! Mark your calendars – reserve your room.
We only have room for 120 people and with the speakers we are looking at…space will go fast…..

Veronica Foster
Accredited Bridal Consultant tm
NC State Coordinator - Assoc of Bridal Consultants
Behind The Scenes Inc
http://www.behindthescenesinc.com/
http://www.ncweddingpros.com/
336-375-3164

LNG Directors Meeting

LNG Directors Meeting
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009 , 3PM.
Rockola Cafe
1405 Garner Station Boulevard
Garner, NC 27603
(919) 772-4555

A fellow Greensboro Area Bride In Need‏

We have a bride that needs to cancel her wedding day. Her wedding was to be held on September 12, 2009 at the O'Henry Hotel in Greensboro, NC. She has already paid $2,500 for room rentals and $700 as a deposit for her the meal for a total of $3,200. She has the 2 ballrooms reserved one for ceremony and one for reception.

She is looking for another bride willing to take this date and at least give her half of what she has already put down on the event. If you are willing (and it would save you a lot of money) please reply to this e-mail or call us at 336-375-3164 to discuss details.

Since the date is coming quickly we would also be willing to help you organize your wedding day at half of our normal cost!

Serious inquiries only please respond.
336-375-3164 or e-mail
Veronica@behindthescenesinc.com

Vendors eating at the Reception Comments

I do agree with Veronica, my couples have had no problem thus far with there vendors eating and taking breaks. This helps me with my timeline also.

Thanks,
Angela Plummer
Professional Bridal Consultant tm
Association of Bridal Consultants
Pink Label Wedding Creations
www.pinklabelwedding.com
336-420-6287

Vendors eating at the wedding.

As a wedding planner, how do you handle feeding the vendors at the wedding? Do you address this at all with the bride? What if it is a plated meal instead of a buffet?

Please comment or email me. All answers will be published. Thanks