We get several inquiries every week from students and individuals seeking a career in wedding or event planning. As an experienced educator and teacher leader, I believe education and credentials are two of the biggest keys to success in any career field. There are many groups and instructors out there that claim to give you the keys to the wedding planning kingdom if you will just attend their course or seminar. Unfortunately, many of these people lack the education and credentials themselves to be a professional planner. much less teach a course, and some have very little to no experience in the industry at all.  Given the tough economic times, most of these “instructors” are out to make a quick dollar on unsuspecting people who have wedding planning stars in their eyes and are all too willing to give their money away to learn the ropes. As a result, those attending these courses are left with an incomplete picture regarding how to run a business and often walk away with skewed knowledge of the industry and a worthless certificate of completion.

Before I started down my own wedding planning career path, I spent several months researching and learning all I could about the industry.  I also spent time interviewing and shadowing a diverse group of wedding professionals in order to see the business through their eyes and their individual crafts.  This is a tough industry, one that is focused on one of the most important celebrations in the life of a couple.  Organization and communication are critical skills necessary for navigating the planning process with clients.  You have to be able to juggle many tasks at once and handle issues with tact and grace.  Then there is the entire business side to worry about as well.  Knowing how to write a business plan, file for corporate status, set up an accounting system, write a legally binding contract, establish a workable and affordable start-up marketing plan, and networking are all very important to the success of your endeavor.

Fortunately, there are internationally recognized professional associations and organizations  committed to building the profession through certified instruction and adherence to a professional code of ethics and business practices. One of these organizations is the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC).  I am a proud graduate of the ACPWC program and earned my Professional Wedding Consultant credentials through the ACPWC.

Through training by experienced professionals, continuing education programs and an ongoing industry recognized certification process, ACPWC provides uniformity and accountability thereby ensuring business integrity is maintained and supported well beyond the original training process. ACPWC graduates are prepared to start their own businesses after completing the training and quickly become leaders in their community of wedding and special event professionals. Since its establishment in 1990, the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC) has set the standard for excellence in wedding consulting nationwide offering the only professional training and certification program for wedding consultants registered by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Courses are offered throughout the year across the country, and one of those courses is coming to the Central Florida area.

The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront is hosting the next course August 2 – 6.  You can learn more about the course offerings by contacting The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants at 408.227.2792 or by visiting the website at www.acpwc.com.  A quality, recognized educational program is one of the smartest investments you can make as you embark on a new career.

It has been quite a busy spring and early summer season for the Uniquely Yours team. Now that we have a few weeks before the fall season starts up, we are excited to bring you several new blog posts! We have so many creative ideas, products to share, and of course, beautiful weddings to feature.  But before all of that, I thought it would be nice to introduce you to our new studio space, “The Living Room”.

We have always wanted a creative space in Orlando to meet with clients, and this past April that dream came true as we partnered with a fantastic group of professionals for the opening of “The Living Room”.  Here are few photos of the new space. The space design and decor was done by none other than the super talented Becka of Studio 222 Photography.

Isn’t it sweet? We love it here!

This month we hosted our Summer Open House at the Living Room. It was wonderful having a space to greet and mingle with engaged couples and professionals alike.  We hope you will stop by for a visit soon.  Just give us a call or send an email first as we schedule meetings by appointment.

All Photos Courtesy of Studio 222 Photography

If you have not had a chance to stop by the studio at “The Living Room” for our special Summer Open House, tonight is your last chance.  If you are curious about the types of services planners can offer, have questions regarding your current plans, or just want some advice on various aspects of your wedding then you definitely want to stop by and meet the Uniquely Yours team.  Brides attending the Summer Open House are also eligible for a special promotion that we are offering. We look forward to meeting you tonight from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM so make plans to drop by and say hello.  For more information such as location, directions, and registration click here. See you soon!

We love when our Uniquely Yours clients think outside the proverbial box as it pertains to wedding entertainment. Interactive entertainment features are quite trendy.  Over the last few years, photobooths have been a fun interactive option for wedding guests, and we have seen numerous models from vintage to completely custom themed.  Most include an attendant, a printed keepsake photograph, and some type of guestbook.  None of them, however, have the “coolness” and creative appeal of the newest “photobooth” now available for weddings and special events – PhotoMingle.

PhotoMingle has all the features of a typical photobooth, allowing guests to take photographs and record video messages, but goes beyond the typcial with an interactive display screen that allows guests to write personal messages on their photographs with the touch of a fingertip.  Guests can also manipulate and view the photographs on screen.  The Uniquely Yours team recently had an opportunity to preview the PhotoMingle in action at a local industry event.  It was a huge attraction for all the guests in attendance, and we had a great time testing out the features.

That is Lindsay from AFR Event Furnishings on the far left with the stylish screen “stache”, UY Karry, UY Erinn, & UY Sara.

The professionals at PhotoMingle also offer a guestbook/photobook that features all the personal photos and messages your guests created.  You can see a demonstration video of the PhotoMingle and reserve one for your event by visiting the website at www.photomingle.com. Future plans for the PhotoMingle include connections to Facebook and Twitter as well as an iPhone application.  We look forward to watching our clients and their guests have fun with the PhotoMingle at future weddings and parties!

Photo Source: www.photomingle.com

Uniquely Yours Wedding & Event Specialist is hosting three open house nights this month at our studio in Winter Park. If you are engaged, or know somebody who is, please stop by to ask questions, learn more about our services, get advice, and mingle.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Fourth of July weekend!  As you celebrate, never forget the vision and contributions of our founding fathers and those who fight for freedom around the world today. We are truly blessed to be Americans, and must never forget that freedom and liberty are a precious gift that we must not take for granted; a gift that deserves our respect and defense.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security….. The Declaration of Independence

With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, we are dreaming of red, white, and blue inspiration.  Such classic colors, whether they are used alone or together, provide a simple, yet adaptable palette as evidenced by these gorgeous boards created by The Perfect Palette, one of our favorite daily reads.

Source of Inspiration Boards:  The Perfect Palette

Season Three of Get Married’s popular planning show on WeTV continues with seven new episodes starting on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:30 AM EST.

Show host and Get Married founder Stacie Francombe, spends time with real brides as she guides them through an array of bridal experiences and participates in inspiring challenges with wedding professionals and experts.

The line-up of new episodes unveils the hottest wedding trends and shocking surprises including a customized father-daughter dance song written by singer-songwriter, Edwin McCain.

We are huge fans of the show which offers a balanced blend of trendy, practical, and creative ideas as well as timely advice and tips relevant to today’s modern brides.

Recently  I was invited to attend an intimate gathering of trend setting destination planners from around the country for an exclusive look into some of the wonderful destination properties found in sunny and luxurious Vero Beach.  The Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the first “Come Discover Love” event in early May.  This was a great opportunity for the attendees to “discover” all that Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast has to offer brides desiring a destination wedding in Florida, the number one destination wedding location.

The welcome reception was held at the chic Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, a beautiful oceanfront, boutique property.  We enjoyed seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones while at the reception.

An after party followed at the ever popular Capt. Hiram’s resort where we were given a venue tour and had more time to mingle and meet the other attendees.

The next day featured a leisurely ecology cruise on the Indian River courtesy of River Queen Cruises. We were fortunate to sight a few dolphin on our tour of the most biologically diverse estuary in North America.

Our next stop was Gloria Estefan’s modern Costa d’ Este resort where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch and had the pleasure of hearing destination wedding expert, Susan Moynihan, editor in chief of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine.  It was so refreshing to hear that Florida is tops among preferred destination wedding locations.

Dom Perignon was one of the lunch sponsors.

Photo Source: Ray Santana Photography

Creative floral design for the luncheon was provided by the talented and gracious Andres Aguiler of Mystique Flowers.

Photo Source:  PS Photography

After lunch, we were able to hear and meet none other than Grace Ormonde of Wedding Style Magazine.  Grace discussed the magazine and her current book tour showcasing her new book, Grace Ormonde Weddings.  Everyone in attendance received a copy of Grace’s beautiful tome, “Being In Love Never Goes Out of Style”, courtesy of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. The book is filled with beautiful images from the magazine, Grace’s personal reflections, tips, and photographs and stories of real weddings from around the world.   I was thrilled to meet Grace in person, and have her sign my personal copy. The book is unlike any other with its focus on the love and commitment of couples which is central to what we do as planners.

That’s Grace Ormonde signing my personal copy!

Photo Source: Ray Santana Photography

The lush and tropically inspired Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel was our next stop.  This is a gorgeous property featuring a variety of indoor and outdoor settings perfect for intimate weddings.

Our group traveled on from the Caribbean Court to McKee Botanical Gardens where we learned more about the garden’s history and the beautiful areas of the garden that are available for weddings and other social occasions.

The Great Hall at McKee

The evening ended with a sumptious dinner back at Costa d’Este poolside where we glimpsed a stunning setup by renown designers, The Event Firm. Unfortunately, it was just a glimpse as everyone quickly moved indoors as a storm approached.  Fortunately, our friends Patty and Susy of PS Photography were able to capture the scene beforehand.

The Event Firm did a great job recreating their designs indoors for the backup plan.

Our final day in Vero Beach concluded with sunrise yoga and brunch at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort where we heard from none other than Rebecca Grinnals, expert consultant to the wedding industry and founder of Engaging Concepts. Rebecca’s presentations are always informative and inspiring, providing plenty of food for thought on how to manage our business and best serve our clients.

Come Discover Love offered a wonderful retreat and it was a pleasure attending the property tours and getting to meet so many fantastic planners and talented professionals from across the county with whom I will be corresponding.

Vero Beach is the perfect location for brides seeking  privacy and luxury in an intimate setting that is so close, yet far removed from the bustle of Orlando. The Uniquely Yours teams looks forward to working with future destination clients as they discover all that is to love about hosting their wedding celebrations in this exquisite Florida location.

Note: All photos are courtesy of PS Photography unless otherwise noted.