Wedding Planner Magazine October 2025

October 2025

WEDDING PLANNER Association of Bridal Consultants

Magazine

TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR BUSINESS

THE ART OF LUXURY DRAPING

TRAVEL WITH ABC

REAL WEDDINGS: LESSONS LEARNED

STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR WEDDING PROFESSIONALS

SWED

SWED: Signature Wedding and Event Design

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E October 2025

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Real Wedding: Mediterranean Dreams Brought to Life in Sarasota

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Feature Article: Composed in Chaos: The Emotional Resilience Every Wedding Pro Needs

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ABC News and Designations

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Feature Article: Grounded & Graceful: How Wedding Pros Can Thrive Under Pressure

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ABC Member Benefits

Photo by Dali Images

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Letter from the Editor

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Who’s Who in ABC

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Real Wedding: A Historic Celebration of Quiet Elegance in Portland, Maine

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Feature Article: Saving the Day: Stress Management Lessons from a Luxury Destination Wedding in Greece

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Feature Article: 3 Steps to Take Back Control of Your Wedding Business

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Booking Your Travel Through ABC

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Real Wedding: A Gorgeous Destination Wedding at El Embajador Royal Hideaway Hotel

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Feature Article: Trust Your Instincts: Stress Management Starts Before “I Do”

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Feature Article: The Art of Luxury Draping: How Event Designers Can Elevate Weddings and Transform Their Business

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Feature Article: Celebrate the Wins: Stress Management Lessons From 40 Years in Events

Photo by Magnola

Letter from the Editor As we turn the final pages of 2025, I find myself reflecting on the incredible resilience, creativity, and passion that define our wedding industry. This year has been a whirlwind —filled with breathtaking moments, hard-won victories, and yes, plenty of challenges that tested our limits.

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Veronica Foster, MWP™ ART DIRECTOR: Anisha van Wyk on behalf of The Societygal Foundation PHOTOGRAPHERS: Kaitlin Toto from K Toto Photography Tara Tomlinson from T Tomlinson Photography Luisa from Luisa Medina Photo and Film

The theme of this issue, Stress Management for Wedding Professionals & Real Weddings: Lessons Learned, feels especially timely. In a profession where the stakes are high FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: and the timelines short, we often give so much of ourselves Veronica Foster, MWP™ to our clients that we forget to protect our own well-being.

In these pages, you’ll find practical strategies, honest Wedding Planner Magazine is published quarterly by the stories, and wise insights from fellow planners who have Association of Bridal Consultants, P.O. Box 2, Gibsonville, navigated the pressure and come out stronger.

NC 27249.

Phone 336-690-5510 You’ll also meet some of the brilliant minds behind this work Email: members@abcweddingplanners.com —our members—who are not only masters of their craft but Web: abcweddingplanners.com also generous with their knowledge. Your experience is a resource that can inspire and elevate others, and I hope this Copyright © Association of Bridal Consultants 2025 issue reminds you of the value of giving back to our All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced community. Whether you share a lesson learned, mentor an without written permission from the publishers. emerging planner, or simply cheer on your peers, your voice EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE matters.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to bring you a fresh lineup of themes that explore the future of weddings, elevating the client experience, building strong vendor collaborations, and the art of storytelling in events. We invite you to be part of these conversations—submit your real weddings, contribute an article, or simply reach out with an idea. Your stories shape this magazine.

From all of us at the Association of Bridal Consultants and Wedding Planner Magazine, thank you for your dedication to excellence and for being part of this vibrant community.

Here’s to a new year of inspiration, connection, and weddings that truly reflect the love stories we’re entrusted to tell.

With appreciation, Veronica M. Foster, MWP™ Pre s i d e nt , A s s o c i at i o n of Br i d a l Co n s u l t a nt s Ed i to r- i n - C h i ef, We d d i n g Pl a n n e r Ma ga z i n e

Our editorial team maintains independence, and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors unless noted otherwise.

SPONSORED CONTENT AND ADVERTISING This publication may feature sponsored content, affiliate links, and ads, clearly labeled as “Sponsored” or “Advertisement.”

PRIVACY AND DATA USAGE We respect your privacy and may collect data such as cookies for analytical and promotional reasons. For details, review our Privacy Policy.

You can opt out per GDPR compliance (where applicable).

ACCURACY AND CORRECTIONS We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee. To report inaccuracies, contact us at: editor@abcweddingplanners.com. Corrections will be addressed promptly.

DISCLAIMERS This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional health, legal, or financial advice.

TERMS OF USE By using this publication, you agree to our Terms of Use, which includes restrictions on unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, and intellectual property. For any questions or further information, please reach out at editor@abcweddingplanners.com.

Wedding Planner Magazine ISBN 2160-3286 is published quarterly by the Association of Bridal Consultants LLC, P.O. Box 2, Gibsonville, NC 27249.

Circulation is 10,000. Advertising is accepted; corporate ABC members receive a discount on rates.

Who’s Who in the ABC ABC DIRECTOR LISTING President Veronica Foster, MWP™ president@abcweddingplanners.com Vice President, Membership Lois Pearce, MWP™ culture@abcweddingplanners.com Vice President, Travel and Tourism Nicole Zillman, PWP™ travel@abcweddingplanners.com

ABC Office www.abcweddingplanners.com P.O. Box 2, Gibsonville, NC 27249 Phone 336-690-5510 Social Media

Vice President, Education Shelby Tuck-Horton, MWP™ education@abcweddingplanners.com Vice President, Conferences Aaren Muex, PWP™ conference@abcweddingplanners.com Membership Liaison Michole Council, PWP™ members@abcweddingplanners.com

ABC Code of Ethics ABC members agree to: Abide by all local & federal laws governing the industry in which I operate Obtain all business licenses and certificates as required by law Operate my business in an honest and ethical manner Establish reasonable, proper fees for services and provide written estimates for each client Use a written contract for all business agreements Treat all employees, colleagues, and employees fairly, in an unbiased manner Use the association’s title as it is related to the association only Conduct myself in a professional manner at all the association events Never disparage my fellow association member, including in thought, words, threaten, nor try to take a client from another member ABC association for personal or financial gain Treat all association members with respect, a sense of camaraderie, caring, and concern for their welfare at all times Participate, respond to, and attend activities and efforts to promote and improve the professionalism of the wedding business Cooperate, respond, and reply to all complaints forwarded by the association Use the association’s name/logo as authorized

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A Hi s to r i c Ce l e b rat i o n of Qu i et El e g a n ce i n Po r t la n d , Ma i n e On Ma rc h 2 2 , 2 0 2 5 , Bl u e El e p h a nt Eve nt s a n d C ate r i n g h a d t h e h o n o r of co o rd i n at i n g a b re at ht a k i n g we d d i n g at Th e Po r t l a n d Ma s o n i c , o n e of Ma i n e’s m o s t s to r i e d ve n u e s . Wi t h a $ 4 0 , 0 0 0 b u d get a n d a n i nt i m ate g u e s t l i s t of 8 5 , t h e co u p l e e nv i s i o n e d a n e l e g a nt , tex t u ra l ce l e b rat i o n t h at b l e n d e d h i s to r i c c h a r m w i t h ref i n e d s o p h i s t i c at i o n .

Th e bride d re a m e d of e l evate d e l e g a n ce , w h i l e t h e g ro o m , h a i l i n g f ro m En g l a n d , i nf l u e n ce d p l a n n i n g a c ro s s t wo co nt i n e nt s . Th e i r v i s i o n c a m e to l i fe t h ro u g h a p a l et te of b u rg u n d y, c re a m , a n d go l d , b ro u g ht to l i fe w i t h c re a m ve l vet t a b l e c l ot h s , s at i n n a p k i n s , a n d m at te i vo r y c h i n a .

Th e s e s u bt l e l aye rs of tex t u re evo ke d a s e n s e of q u i et l u x u r y, p e r fe c t l y co m p l e m e nt i n g t h e g ra n d e u r of t h e ve n u e’s p a rq u et f l o o rs , s t a i n e d g l a s s w i n d ows , a n d a nt i q u e Ot i s e l evato rs — o r i g i n a l to t h e b u i l d i n g a n d i d e nt i c a l to t h o s e o n t h e Ti t a n i c . Th e e l evato rs t h e m s e l ve s became a m e m o ra b l e b a c kd ro p fo r t h e co u p l e’s f i rs t l o o k ,

m a r r y i n g h i s to r y w i t h ro m a n ce .

Ente r t a i n m e nt and e m ot i o n i nte r t w i n e d seamlessly when the g ro o m’s g ro o m s m e n , u n a b l e to t rave l f ro m En g l a n d d u e to t h e i r wo r k i n f i l m p ro d u c t i o n , s u r p r i s e d t h e n ew l y we d s w i t h a h e a r t fe l t s h o r t f i l m i n p l a ce of t h e i r s p e e c h e s . Gu e s t s e r u pte d w i t h l a u g hte r a n d te a rs , m a k i n g i t o n e of the eve n i n g ’s most u nfo rget t a b l e m o m e nt s .

c h a n ge d a t h i n g — t h i s we d d i n g wa s a t r u e ref l e c t i o n of h i s to r y, l ove , a n d t i m e l e s s b e a u t y.

Ve n d o rs w h o co nt r i b u te d to t h e ce l e b rat i o n included Ka i t l i n Toto Ph otog ra p hy, C a ke El i z a b et h , On e Sto p Eve nt s , a n d Si p s ’ n Sa d d l e s b a r s e r v i ce , w i t h l e a d co o rd i n at i o n by Ni c k i L i b b ey of Bl u e El e p h a nt Eve nt s a n d C ate r i n g . Th e ce l e b rat i o n wa s a te s t a m e nt to co l l a b o rat i o n , c re at i v i t y, and the co u p l e’s distinct style i n s p i rat i o n : c a l m , q u i et e l e g a n ce .

Set - u p a n d s t r i ke s p a n n e d a s e a m l e s s 1 0 h o u rs , exe c u te d by a te a m of 1 0 s t af f m e m b e rs . Lo o k i n g b a c k , Bl u e El e p h a nt ’s te a m wo u l d n ot h ave

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Wedding Vendors Wedding Planner/Designer: Blue Elephant Events and Catering | Venue: The Portland Masonic | Photography : Kaitlin Toto from K Toto Photography | Cake: Elizabeth | Bar Service: Sips ’n Saddles | Event Planner: One Stop Events

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3 Ste p s to Ta ke Ba c k Co nt ro l of You r We d d i n g Bu s i n e s s Author: Caryn Lim from Wedding Flourish

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o yo u fe e l l i ke yo u r we d d i n g b u s i n e s s i s r u n n i n g yo u m o re t h a n yo u ’ re r u n n i n g i t ? Yo u wo r k m o re t h a n 5 0 h o u rs a we e k w i t h c l i e nt s w h o m i g ht n ot b e yo u r m o s t favo r i te .

So m et i m e s yo u j u s t fe e l l i ke yo u ’ re b e i n g s wa l l owe d u p by t h e d a i l y g r i n d a n d i t fe e l s l i ke yo u j u s t d o n’ t h ave co nt ro l ove r a ny t h i n g .

Th at ’s n ot w hy yo u we nt i nto b u s i n e s s i n t h e f i rs t p l a ce . Yo u d re a m e d of ow n i n g a b u s i n e s s s o t h at yo u c a n c re ate b e a u t i f u l we d d i n g s o n yo u r o n te r m s , h ave a f l ex i b l e s c h e d u l e a n d t a ke a va c at i o n w h e n eve r yo u wa nt .

Bu t t h e re a l i t y ? Yo u r b u s i n e s s i s n ot h i n g l i ke w h at yo u h a d i m a g i n e d .

Th e p ro b l e m i s t h at yo u ’ re n ot i n co nt ro l of yo u r b u s i n e s s . Yo u a re j u s t re a c t i n g to w h ateve r co m e s yo u r way.

Yo u a re n ot i n t h e d r i ve r ’s s e at .

Let ’s f i x t h at .

He re a re 3 s te p s to t a ke b a c k co nt ro l a n d s t a r t r u n n i n g yo u r we d d i n g b u s i n e s s l i ke t h e b o s s yo u a re m e a nt to b e :

Step 1: Define What Makes Your Brand Unique Let ’s s t a r t at t h e co re — yo u r b ra n d .

Wh at 's s p e c i a l a b o u t yo u r s e r v i ce s?

Wh at d o yo u l ove d o i n g t h e m o s t ? An d w h o a re t h e c l i e nt s t h at get yo u exc i te d ? Get c r ys t a l c l e a r o n t h e s e things.

Re m e m b e r, yo u r b ra n d i s s o m u c h m o re t h a n j u s t yo u r l ogo , co l o rs , o r fo nt s — i t 's t h e e nt i re v i b e of yo u r b u s i n e s s . It 's w h at m a ke s yo u s t a n d o u t a n d w hy yo u r i d e a l c l i e nt s w i l l fa l l h e a d ove r h e e l s fo r yo u .

On ce yo u ' ve got a s o l i d u n d e rs t a n d i n g of yo u r b ra n d , i t a c t s l i ke yo u r b u s i n e s s ro a d m a p a n d co m p a s s . Eve r y d e c i s i o n yo u fa ce , b i g o r s m a l l , yo u ' l l a s k yo u rs e l f : d o e s t h i s a l i g n w i t h my b ra n d ? If ye s , go fo r i t ! If n ot , t h e n i t 's a h a rd p a s s .

On ce yo u ' ve got a s o l i d u n d e rs t a n d i n g of yo u r b ra n d , i t a c t s l i ke yo u r b u s i n e s s ro a d m a p a n d co m p a s s . Eve r y d e c i s i o n yo u fa ce , b i g o r s m a l l , yo u ' l l a s k yo u rs e l f : d o e s t h i s a l i g n w i t h my b ra n d ? If ye s , go fo r i t ! If n ot , t h e n i t 's a h a rd p a s s .

Th i s c l a r i t y i n yo u r b ra n d m a ke s eve r y c h o i ce simpler and ke e p s yo u r b u s i n e s s o n t ra c k towa rd s yo u r go a l s .

Th i s i s t h e ve r y f i rs t s te p to t a k i n g co nt ro l b a c k of yo u r b u s i n e s s .

Step 2: Market Like a Pro Nex t , l et 's get t h e wo rd o u t a b o u t yo u r awe s o m e b ra n d — b u t l et ’s d o i t i n a s m a r t way.

Wi t h a p l a n .

No m o re ra n d o m a c t s of m a r ket i n g .

An d n o , j u s t p o s t i n g o n In s t a g ra m i s n’ t a m a r ket i n g p l a n .

Ta i l o r yo u r m a r ket i n g ef fo r t s to re a l l y re s o n ate w i t h yo u r i d e a l c l i e nt s .

Up d ate yo u r social media, yo u r we b s i te , a n d eve r y s i n g l e c l i e nt to u c h p o i nt to ref l e c t yo u r b ra n d 's u n i q u e v i b e . Re m e m b e r ? Th e t h i n g s t h at yo u c l a r i f y i n t h e f i rs t s te p? Th at .

Ma ke s u re a l l yo u r s o c i a l m e d i a p o s t s , b l og p o s t s , we b s i te co py a n d eve n t h e l a n g u a ge i n yo u r e m a i l s ref l e c t w h at yo u r i d e a l c l i e nt s re s o n ate w i t h m o s t .

Th i s co n s i s te n c y a c ro s s a l l p l at fo r m s n ot o n l y s t re n g t h e n s yo u r b ra n d b u t a l s o at t ra c t s t h e k i n d of c l i e nt s w h o l ove yo u r wo r k a n d t h o s e w h o yo u ' l l e n j oy wo r k i n g w i t h .

Step 3: Streamline and Automate Your Routine Th e t h i rd s te p i s to m a ke t h i n g s s i m p l e . Do n’ t ove rco m p l i c ate t h i n g s .

Au to m ate re p et i t i ve t a s k s — e m a i l s , a p p o i nt m e nt scheduling, p ay m e nt re m i n d e rs , and basic c l i e nt i nte ra c t i o n s . Th e re a re l o a d s of to o l s o u t t h e re t h at c a n h e l p w i t h t h i s .

By c u t t i n g b a c k o n t h e d a i l y g r i n d , yo u f re e u p m o re t i m e to fo c u s o n w h at re a l l y m ove s t h e n e e d l e i n yo u r b u s i n e s s : h ow to u s e w h at yo u ’ ve c l a r i f i e d i n s te p 1 to p u t co nte nt o u t t h e re t h at at t ra c t s yo u r i d e a l co u p l e s .

Bonus Tip - Show Them Who’s in Charge On e way to s h ow yo u r c l i e nt s w h o’s i n c h a rge i s d u r i n g a co n s u l t at i o n c a l l .

Th i s i s w h at yo u get to s et t h e to n e fo r w h e n t h ey d o wo r k w i t h yo u .

St a r t t h e c a l l by o u t l i n i n g h ow t h e n ex t 3 0 to 4 5 m i n u te s w i l l go . Yo u m i g ht s ay, “ Fi rs t , I ’d l ove to get to k n ow yo u a s a co u p l e a l i t t l e b i t . I ’d a l s o l ove to h e a r a b o u t yo u r v i s i o n fo r t h e we d d i n g . Th e n , I ’d l ove fo r a

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c h a n ce to s h a re a b i t a b o u t my co m p a ny a n d h ow we c a n b r i n g yo u r v i s i o n to l i fe . We’ l l w ra p u p t h e c a l l w i t h t h e n ex t s te p s i f we b ot h fe e l t h at we’ re a go o d f i t .”

yo u rs .

Th i s a p p ro a c h e s t a b l i s h e s yo u a s o rg a n i ze d a n d i n co nt ro l , b u i l d s co mfo r t by s et t i n g c l e a r ex p e c t at i o n s , a n d p o s i t i o n s yo u a s t h e l e a d e r a n d ex p e r t r i g ht f ro m t h e s t a r t . It ’s a s i m p l e yet ef fe c t i ve way to e n s u re t h e co n s u l t at i o n is p ro d u c t i ve and p o s i t i o n s yo u a s a p rofe s s i o n a l r i g ht f ro m t h e get - go .

So , w h at a re yo u wa i t i n g fo r ? Ta ke these tips, run with them, and turn yo u r b u s i n e s s i nto t h e d re a m b u s i n e s s yo u ’ ve a l ways wa nte d .

Re m e m b e r, t h i s i s a b o u t b u i l d i n g a l i fe yo u l ove . Ma ke yo u r b u s i n e s s wo r k fo r yo u — n ot t h e ot h e r way a ro u n d !

Th e s e t h re e s te p s b re a k t h e c yc l e of o u t - of- co nt ro l a n d p u t yo u b a c k i nto t h e d r i ve r ’s s e at of yo u r b u s i n e s s .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Reclaim Your Business, Reclaim Your Life Ta k i n g co nt ro l of yo u r we d d i n g b u s i n e s s i s n’ t j u s t a b o u t s m o ot h i n g o u t t h e b u m p s o r b o o s t i n g yo u r p rof i t s — i t ’s a b o u t get t i n g b a c k to w hy yo u s t a r te d t h i s i n t h e f i rs t p l a ce .

By n a i l i n g d ow n yo u r b ra n d , get t i n g s m a r t w i t h yo u r m a r ket i n g , and d i tc h i n g t h e d a i l y g r i n d t h ro u g h a u to m at i o n , yo u ’ re n ot j u s t l i n i n g u p b et te r c l i e nt s ; yo u ’ re s et t i n g yo u rs e l f u p to re a l l y e n j oy t h i s b u s i n e s s of

Af te r m o re t h a n a d e c a d e wo r k i n g w i t h l ow - p ay i n g we d d i n g c l i e nt s a n d fe e l i n g ove r w h e l m e d , C a r y n wa s a b o u t to g i ve u p . Wh e n C a r y n d i s cove re d t h e p owe r of b ra n d s t rate g y, s h e wa s a b l e to t ra n s fo r m h e r s t r u gg l i n g b u s i n e s s i n j u s t 3 m o nt h s . Now, C a r y n h e l p s ot h e r we d d i n g p ro s d o t h e s a m e . Sh e te a c h e s t h e m h ow to b u i l d a b u s i n e s s t h at m a ke s m o n ey — o n e t h at is p rof i t a b l e , s u s t a i n a b l e , a n d at t ra c t s d re a m c l i e nt s .

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A Go rge o u s De s t i n at i o n We d d i n g at El Em b a j a d o r Roya l Hi d e away Hotel On May 3 1 , 2 0 2 5 , I h a d t h e j oy of p l a n n i n g a n u nfo rget t a b l e we d d i n g fo r a b e a u t i f u l co u p l e f ro m t h e U SA at t h e b re at ht a k i n g El Em b a j a d o r Roya l Hi d e away Hote l i n Sa nto Do m i n go , Do m i n i c a n Re p u b l i c . K n ow n fo r i t s t i m e l e s s e l e g a n ce , t h e ve n u e wa s t h e p e r fe c t b a c kd ro p fo r a d ay f i l l e d w i t h l ove a n d ce l e b rat i o n .

Gu e s t s t h e n e n j oye d a s o p h i s t i c ate d v e r y f i r s t d e s t i n a t i o n w e d d i n g s i n c e co c k t a i l h o u r s e re n a d e d by a l i ve l a u n c h i n g G a l i a E v e n t P l a n n i n g i n v i o l i s t , a d d i n g a to u c h of wa r mt h a n d S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 4 . ref i n e m e nt to t h e af te r n o o n .

— Lissette Castillo, Owner & Founder, Th e s t u n n i n g we d d i n g c a ke , c raf te d by G a l i a E v e n t P l a n n i n g Ma s te r Pa s t r y C h ef Ce l i o Ro d r í g u e z , d e l i g hte d b ot h t h e eye s a n d t a s te b u d s , w h i l e t h e re ce pt i o n c a m e a l i ve w i t h a v i b ra nt l i ve m e re n g u e b a n d t h at Th e ce re m o ny to o k p l a ce o n t h e ke pt t h e d a n ce f l o o r p a c ke d u nt i l t h e Ga rd e n De c k b e n e at h t h e i co n i c Fi c u s f i n a l s o n g . e l a s t i c a ( Ru b b e r Tre e) , w h e re l u s h g re e n e r y c re ate d a ro m a nt i c a n d Th i s ce l e b rat i o n w i l l a l ways h o l d a i nt i m ate s et t i n g fo r t h e co u p l e’s vows . s p e c i a l p l a ce i n my h e a r t a s i t wa s my

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Wedding Vendors Wedding Planner/Designer: Galia Event Planning | Venue: El Embajador Royal Hideaway Hotel | Photographer: LuisaMedinaPhotoFilm | Videographer: Martich Photo Film | Cake: Celio Rodriguez // Zoila Cake Shop | Decor: Golden Moon Events | Lights and Sound: KC Eventos | Master of Ceremony: Laura Minyetty | Violinist Performer: Kenya Sena | Makeup Artist: Reina Makeup Studio | Live Band: The Synergy Band

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Tr u s t Yo u r In s t i n c t s : St re s s Ma n a ge m e nt St a r t s Befo re “ I Do” Author: Mariela Gonzalez Tardy, CEWP Owner of MGT Events LLC

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s we d d i n g p rofe s s i o n a l s , we s p e n d m o nt h s — s o m et i m e s ye a rs — p l a n n i n g t h e m o s t i m p o r t a nt d ay of o u r c l i e nt s’ l i ve s .

Th e p re s s u re to d e l i ve r p e r fe c t i o n i s co n s t a nt . Yet , o n e of t h e g re ate s t lessons I ’ ve learned in m a n a g i n g s t re s s d o e s n’ t co m e f ro m l og i s t i c s , t i m e l i n e s , o r we at h e r p l a n s .

It c a m e f ro m n av i g at i n g a re a l we d d i n g s i t u at i o n w h e re p rofe s s i o n a l i s m , e m ot i o n a l b o u n d a r i e s , a n d re s i l i e n ce we re te s te d .

a p i vot a l l e s s o n : s t re s s m a n a ge m e nt s t a r t s l o n g b efo re t h e we d d i n g d ay. It s t a r t s w i t h t r u s t i n g yo u r g u t .

Trust Your Instincts Early Build a Strong Support System Wh e n yo u r p rofe s s i o n a l i nt u i t i o n s i g n a l s co n ce r n — l i s te n . St re s s of te n b u i l d s n ot f ro m t h e d ay of c h a o s , b u t f ro m a l l ow i n g u n co mfo r t a b l e p at te r n s to go u n c h e c ke d . If s o m et h i n g fe e l s of f i n e a r l y i nte ra c t i o n s , i t u s u a l l y i s .

Si n ce t h at ex p e r i e n ce , we’ ve e m p owe re d o u rs e l ve s by c re at i n g a m o re p rote c t i ve s t r u c t u re : In i t i a l Co n s u l t at i o n s : Eva l u at i n g c l i e nt f i t j u s t a s m u c h a s c l i e nt s eva l u ate u s .

C l e a r Bo u n d a r i e s : Po l i te l y b u t firmly d ef i n i n g co m m u n i c at i o n s t a n d a rd s , re s p o n s e t i m e s , a n d d e c i s i o n d e a d l i n e s u pf ro nt .

St re n g t h e n e d Co nt ra c t s : Ad d i n g clauses about m i s t re at m e nt , d efa m at i o n , a n d te r m i n at i o n r i g ht s i n c a s e of c l i e nt m i s co n d u c t .

A few s e a s o n s a go , af te r s u cce s s f u l l y exe c u t i n g a beautiful d e s t i n at i o n we d d i n g , we e n co u nte re d a s i t u at i o n w h e re , d e s p i te eve r y d et a i l fa l l i n g i nto p l a ce , a c l i e nt ’s p o s t - eve nt b e h av i o r became challenging.

Hu r t f u l co m m e nt s , online n e g at i v i t y, and m i s d i re c te d f r u s t rat i o n fo l l owe d — a stark co nt ra s t to the g rat i t u d e ex p re s s e d o n t h e we d d i n g d ay.

Lo o k i n g b a c k , t h e re h a d b e e n e a r l y wa r n i n g signs: d i s re s p e c t f u l co m m u n i c at i o n , i n co n s i s te nt ex p e c t at i o n s , a n d l a s t - m i n u te d e m a n d s t h at d i s re g a rd e d p rev i o u s l y a g re e d p l a n s . L i ke m a ny p rofe s s i o n a l s i n t h e we d d i n g i n d u s t r y, I fo c u s e d on d e l i ve r i n g exce l l e nt s e r v i ce , h o p i n g t h at k i n d n e s s a n d f l ex i b i l i t y wo u l d s m o ot h t h i n g s ove r. In s te a d , I l e a r n e d

Th i s p ro a c t i ve a p p ro a c h p reve nt s m a ny s t re s s f u l s i t u at i o n s f ro m d eve l o p i n g — a n d g i ve s u s t h e to o l s to h a n d l e t h e m i f t h ey d o .

On e of t h e m o s t u n d e re s t i m ate d a s p e c t s of s t re s s m a n a ge m e nt i n o u r f i e l d i s t h e p owe r of co m m u n i t y.

Af te r fa c i n g t h e c h a l l e n ge s b ro u g ht by t h at we d d i n g , I l e a n e d h e av i l y o n my p rofe s s i o n a l n et wo r k . Tr u s te d ve n d o r co l l e a g u e s p rov i d e d n ot o n l y p ra c t i c a l a d v i ce but also e m ot i o n a l e n co u ra ge m e nt t h at helped me n av i g ate re p u t at i o n a l risks and p e rs o n a l f r u s t rat i o n .

In o u r i n d u s t r y, we of te n o p e rate a s i n d e p e n d e nt b u s i n e s s e s — b u t we d o n’ t h ave to h a n d l e h a rd s h i p s a l o n e .

Fo r m i n g a u t h e nt i c re l at i o n s h i p s w i t h ot h e r p l a n n e rs , p h otog ra p h e rs , ve n u e s , a n d c ate re rs c re ate s a c i rc l e of s u p p o r t t h at s t re n g t h e n s u s a l l . Hav i n g i n d u s t r y f r i e n d s w h o u n d e rs t a n d t h e h i g h s a n d l ows f i rs t h a n d i s c r i t i c a l to s t ay i n g re s i l i e nt .

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Prioritize Your Mental and Emotional Health

Lessons Learned, and Carried Forward

St re s s m a n a ge m e nt i s n ot o n l y a b o u t solving p ro b l e m s — i t ’s about p reve nt i n g b u r n o u t .

To d ay, our te a m runs on the p h i l o s o p hy t h at a p e a cef u l p l a n n e r c re ate s b et te r ce l e b rat i o n s .

Af te r t h i s ex p e r i e n ce , I i m p l e m e nte d s m a l l b u t m e a n i n g f u l p ra c t i ce s :

St re s s m a n a ge m e nt i s a b o u t m o re t h a n d e a l i n g w i t h e m e rge n c i e s ; i t ’s a b o u t s et t i n g t h e s t a ge fo r p rofe s s i o n a l i s m , j oy, a n d t r u s t — w i t h o u r c l i e nt s , o u r ve n d o r p a r t n e rs , a n d o u rs e l ve s .

Checking in with mys e l f e m ot i o n a l l y d u r i n g t h e p l a n n i n g j o u r n ey, n ot j u s t at t h e e n d .

Ta k i n g s t rate g i c p a u s e s b et we e n eve nt s , w h e n p o s s i b l e , to re c h a rge .

Cre at i n g b o u n d a r i e s w h e re my s e l fwo r t h i s n’ t t i e d s o l e l y to c l i e nt s at i s fa c t i o n .

It ’s i m p o r t a nt to re m e m b e r t h at w h i l e we a i m to c re ate m a g i c fo r o u r c l i e nt s , we a re n ot re s p o n s i b l e fo r t h e i r h a p p i n e s s . We a re re s p o n s i b l e fo r d e l i ve r i n g exce l l e n ce p rofe s s i o n a l l y, w h i l e p rote c t i n g o u r e n e rg y a n d m e nt a l h e a l t h .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ma r i e l a Go n z a l e z Ta rd y, C E W P i s t h e ow n e r a n d l e a d p l a n n e r of M GT Eve nt s L LC , a b o u t i q u e we d d i n g p l a n n i n g f i r m s p e c i a l i z i n g i n d e s t i n at i o n we d d i n g s a n d p e rs o n a l i ze d ce l e b rat i o n s . Wi t h ove r a d e c a d e of ex p e r i e n ce , s h e i s p a s s i o n ate about c re at i n g u nfo rget t a b l e m o m e nt s w h i l e fo s te r i n g p rofe s s i o n a l i s m , co l l a b o rat i o n , and re s i l i e n ce w i t h i n t h e we d d i n g i n d u s t r y.

If I co u l d of fe r o n e p i e ce of a d v i ce to a ny fe l l ow we d d i n g p rofe s s i o n a l s , n av i g at i n g t h e co m p l ex i t i e s of t h i s b u s i n e s s , i t wo u l d b e : p rote c t yo u r p e a ce . Tr u s t yo u r i n s t i n c t s . St re n g t h e n yo u r a g re e m e nt s .

Bu i l d yo u r co m m u n i t y. Pr i o r i t i ze yo u r e m ot i o n a l we l l - b e i n g j u s t a s m u c h a s yo u r timelines.

In d o i n g s o , yo u ’ l l n ot o n l y m a n a ge s t re s s — yo u ’ l l t h r i ve .

15

Photo by Carsten Vollrath from Pexels

Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels

The Art of Luxury Draping: How Event Designers Can Elevate Weddings and Transform Their Business

B

Author: Precious Stevens eyond Fabric on a Pole: The True Art of Draping

Wh e n yo u t h i n k of l u x u r y we d d i n g d e s i g n , w h at co m e s to m i n d ? St u n n i n g f l o ra l i n s t a l l at i o n s , e l e g a nt table s et t i n g s , d a z z l i n g c h a n d e l i e rs? Wh i l e a l l of t h e s e e l e m e nt s co nt r i b u te to a n u nfo rget t a b l e ex p e r i e n ce , t h e re’s o n e d e s i g n s e c ret t h at i n s t a nt l y t ra n s fo r m s a s p a ce — p re m i u m d ra p i n g .

Bu t l et ’s b e c l e a r : d ra p i n g i s m u c h m o re t h a n fa b r i c o n a p o l e . Do n e co r re c t l y, i t c re ate s a n ex p e r i e n ce , s et s t h e m o o d , a n d e l evate s a we d d i n g f ro m o rd i n a r y to u nfo rget t a b l e . It ’s a b o u t s t r u c t u re , m ove m e nt , a n d f l ow — u n d e rs t a n d i n g h ow fa b r i c i nte ra c t s w i t h s p a ce , l i g ht i n g , a n d t h e ove ra l l eve nt d e s i g n .

A s s o m e o n e w h o te a c h e s p re m i u m d ra p i n g at Th e Po s h Ac a d e my, I d o n’ t j u s t t ra i n eve nt d e s i g n e rs o n h ow to h a n g fa b r i c . I te a c h t h e m h ow to m a s te r t h e a r t , p o s i t i o n t h e m s e l ve s a s ex p e r t s , a n d at t ra c t p re m i u m c l i e nt s .

Be c a u s e w h e n d o n e r i g ht , d ra p i n g d o e s n’ t j u s t e n h a n ce we d d i n g s — i t c a n t a ke yo u r b u s i n e s s to n ew h e i g ht s .

Arc h i te c t u ra l En h a n ce m e nt : Dra p i n g can h i g h l i g ht g ra n d fe at u re s w h i l e co n ce a l i n g less d e s i ra b l e a s p e c t s of a s p a ce .

Def i n e d Sp a ce s : Fro m g ra n d e nt ra n ce s to fo c a l - p o i nt b a c kd ro p s , d ra p i n g helps c re ate seamless t ra n s i t i o n s .

In c re a s e d Prof i t a b i l i t y : Dra p i n g i s a h i g h - t i c ket s e r v i ce t h at , w h e n p ro p e r l y positioned, can s i g n i f i c a nt l y boost an eve nt d e s i g n e r ’s reve n u e .

De s p i te i t s e l e g a n ce , m a ny we d d i n g p l a n n e rs a n d eve nt d e s i g n e rs h e s i t ate to i n co r p o rate d ra p i n g i nto t h e i r of fe r i n g s , b e l i ev i n g i t to b e to o co m p l ex o r co s t l y. Howeve r, m a s te r i n g t h e b u s i n e s s a n d a r t i s t r y of d ra p i n g m a ke s i t a p owe r f u l to o l t h at e n h a n ce s n ot o n l y we d d i n g s b u t a l s o a n eve nt d e s i g n e r ’s b ra n d a n d p r i c i n g p ote nt i a l .

Mastering Draping: The Posh Trifecta of Success

Pre m i u m d ra p i n g i s n ot j u s t a b o u t a e s t h et i c s — i t ’s a l s o a b o u t b u s i n e s s s t rate g y. Su cce s s i n t h e l u x u r y eve nt The Power of Draping in Wedding s p a ce i s n’ t j u s t a b o u t l e a r n i n g h ow to d ra p e ; i t ’s a b o u t Pe o p l e , Po s i t i o n i n g , Design a n d Pr i c i n g — a f ra m ewo r k I c a l l Th e Dra p i n g s e r ve s m u l t i p l e f u n c t i o n s i n a Po s h Tr i fe c t a . we d d i n g , of fe r i n g b ot h a e s t h et i c a n d p ra c t i c a l b e n ef i t s . It c a n s of te n h a rs h 1 . Pe o p l e : Un d e rs t a n d i n g Yo u r Id e a l a rc h i te c t u ra l e l e m e nt s , d ef i n e s p a ce s , C l i e nt a n d a d d a to u c h of l u x u r y to eve n t h e Not eve r y co u p l e va l u e s p re m i u m design, and t h at ’s o k ay. simplest ve n u e s .

Wh et h e r eve nt Howeve r, fo r t h o s e w h o d o , p re m ium t ra n s fo r m i n g a plain b a l l ro o m , d ra p i n g i s a n ex p e c t at i o n , n ot a n a ddcove r i n g u n s i g ht l y wa l l s , o r c re at i n g a o n .

Hi g h e n d c l i e nt s s e e k d e s i g n e rs b re at ht a k i n g ce re m o ny b a c kd ro p , we l l w h o u n d e rs t a n d t h e i r v i s i o n a n d c an exe c u te d d ra p i n g c a n co m p l ete l y a l te r exe c u te i t f l aw l e s s l y.

Eve nt d e s i g n e rs t h e g u e s t ex p e r i e n ce . w h o m a s te r d ra p i n g c a n p o s i t i o n So m e of the most s i g n i f i c a nt t h e m s e l ve s a s p re m i u m ex p e r t s a n d a d va nt a ge s of i n co r p o rat i n g d ra p i n g at t ra c t c l i e nt s w h o a re w i l l i n g to i nve s t i n h i g h - q u a l i t y wo r k . i nto we d d i n g d e s i g n i n c l u d e : In s t a nt Lu x u r y : Eve n a m o d e s t 2 . Po s i t i o n i n g : Be co m i n g t h e Go -To ve n u e can be e l evate d w i t h Dra p i n g E x p e r t In t h e co m p et i t i ve eve nt i n d u s t r y, p re m i u m d ra p i n g te c h n i q u e s . p o s i t i o n i n g yo u rs e l f a s a n ex p e r t i s key to s u cce s s .

Br i d e s , g ro o m s , a n d we d d i n g p l a n n e rs a re n’ t j u s t l o o k i n g fo r a d e co rato r ; t h ey ’ re l o o k i n g fo r a s p e c i a l i s t . Hi g h e n d c l i e nt s t r u s t d e s i g n e rs w h o p re s e nt t h e m s e l ve s as industry l e a d e rs , s h owc a s e their wo r k ef fe c t i ve l y, a n d e d u c ate p ote nt i a l c l i e nt s o n t h e va l u e of p re m i u m d ra p i n g .

3 . Pr i c i n g : C h a rg i n g Wh at Yo u ’ re Wo r t h On e of t h e b i gge s t m i s t a ke s eve nt d e s i g n e rs m a ke i s u n d e r p r i c i n g t h e i r d ra p i n g s e r v i ce s . Lu x u r y c l i e nt s ex p e c t to p ay p re m i u m p r i ce s fo r ex p e r t - l eve l wo r k , a n d p r i c i n g to o l ow c a n d i m i n i s h t h e p e rce i ve d va l u e of yo u r s e r v i ce s .

Th e r i g ht p r i c i n g s t rate g y n ot o n l y e n s u re s p rof i t a b i l i t y b u t a l s o s o l i d i f i e s yo u r re p u t at i o n a s a p re m i u m eve nt d e s i g n e r.

The Art of Draping: Techniques and Design Principles To c re ate t r u l y s t u n n i n g d ra p i n g d e s i g n s , eve nt d e s i g n e rs m u s t go b eyo n d b a s i c te c h n i q u e s a n d fo c u s o n fa b r i c selection, l aye r i n g , and a d va n ce d d ra p i n g s t y l e s .

Fa b r i c Se l e c t i o n : C h o o s i n g t h e Ri g ht Mate r i a l fo r t h e Ri g ht Lo o k Di f fe re nt fa b r i c s c re ate d i f fe re nt ef fe c t s , a n d s e l e c t i n g t h e r i g ht o n e i s c r u c i a l i n a c h i ev i n g a l u x u r y a e s t h et i c .

C h i f fo n & Sh e e r Vo i l e : Pe r fe c t fo r l i g ht , a i r y, a n d ro m a nt i c we d d i n g themes.

Sat i n & Si l k : Ad d s e l e g a n ce a n d ref i n e m e nt , i d e a l fo r s o p h i s t i c ate d designs.

Ve l vet & Se q u i n s : Cre ate s a b o l d , l u x u r i o u s s t ate m e nt fo r h i g h - e n d we d d i n g s .

Org a n z a & Tu l l e : Id e a l fo r a d d i n g l aye rs and vo l u m e without h e av i n e s s .

17

L aye r i n g : De pt h

Cre at i n g

Di m e n s i o n

and

Th e b e s t d ra p i n g d e s i g n s a re n ot f l at — t h ey h ave m ove m e nt , s t r u c t u re , a n d d e pt h . By l aye r i n g d i f fe re nt tex t u re s a n d co l o rs , eve nt d e s i g n e rs c a n a d d d i m e n s i o n to t h e i r d e s i g n s , m a k i n g t h e m a p p e a r m o re l u x u r i o u s a n d c u s to m - t a i l o re d .

Ad va n ce d Dra p i n g St y l e s : t h e We d d i n g E x p e r i e n ce

El evat i n g

Ma s te r i n g a va r i et y of d ra p i n g te c h n i q u e s a l l ows d e s i g n e rs to c re ate s h ow - s to p p i n g i n s t a l l at i o n s t h at c a pt u re at te nt i o n . So m e of t h e m o s t ef fe c t i ve h i g h - e n d s t y l e s i n c l u d e : Swa g Dra p i n g : El e g a nt a n d f re e f l ow i n g , c re at i n g a s of t , ro m a nt i c a e s t h et i c .

Ce i l i n g Dra p i n g : Ad d s g ra n d e u r a n d t ra n s fo r m s a ny ve n u e i nto a l u x u r y s p a ce .

B a c kd ro p Pa n e l i n g : Prov i d e s s t r u c t u re a n d c re ate s a s t u n n i n g v i s u a l fo c a l p o i nt .

c a n co m p l ete l y t ra n s fo r m a we d d i n g ’s a m b i a n ce w h i l e a l s o s e r v i n g a s a h i g h l y p rof i t a b l e s e r v i ce fo r eve nt d e s i g n e rs .

Fo r t h o s e s e e k i n g to s t a n d o u t i n t h e eve nt i n d u s t r y, m a s te r i n g t h e a r t a n d b u s i n e s s of d ra p i n g i s c r u c i a l . Th ro u g h the Po s h Tr i fe c t a of Pe o p l e , Po s i t i o n i n g , a n d Pr i c i n g , d e s i g n e rs c a n n ot o n l y c re ate b re at ht a k i n g we d d i n g s p a ce s b u t a l s o e s t a b l i s h t h e m s e l ve s a s l e a d e rs i n t h e p re m i u m eve nt m a r ket .

Fo r eve nt p l a n n e rs a n d d e s i g n e rs re a d y to e l evate t h e i r wo r k , i n c re a s e t h e i r va l u e , a n d at t ra c t h i g h - e n d c l i e nt s , p re m i u m d ra p i n g i s n’ t j u s t a n o pt i o n — i t ’s a n e ce s s i t y.

Ea c h of these styles can be c u s to m i ze d to f i t t h e we d d i n g ’s t h e m e , co l o r p a l et te , a n d ove ra l l d e s i g n vision.

Luxury Draping in Action: RealWorld Transformations On e of my most m e m o ra b l e t ra n s fo r m at i o n s i nvo l ve d a s o o n to b e b r i d e w h o l ove d t h e i d e a of a ro m a nt i c , c a n d l e l i t b r i d a l s h owe r b u t h a d c h o s e n a ve n u e w i t h a m o d e r n , i n d u s t r i a l fe e l . By u s i n g s of t i vo r y c h i f fo n d ra p i n g w i t h wa r m l i g ht i n g , we co m p l ete l y s of te n e d the s p a ce , c re at i n g an et h e re a l , i nt i m ate a m b i a n ce t h at m a d e t h e ve n u e fe e l c u s to m - d e s i g n e d fo r t h e co u p l e .

In a n ot h e r i n s t a n ce , we t ra n s fo r m e d a h ote l co nfe re n ce ro o m i nto a l u x u r y we d d i n g b a l l ro o m by d ra p i n g eve r y wa l l i n f l o o r- to - ce i l i n g ve l vet d ra p e s to c re ate tex t u re a n d d e pt h . Th e co u p l e a n d g u e s t s we re b l ow n away by h ow d ra m at i c a l l y t h e s p a ce h a d c h a n ge d — a l l t h a n k s to t h e p owe r of p re m i u m d ra p i n g .

Elevate Your Events, Elevate Your Business Lu x u r y d ra p i n g i s m u c h m o re t h a n d é co r— i t ’s a p owe r f u l d e s i g n to o l t h at

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pre c i o u s Steve n s i s a ce r t i f i e d eve nt d e s i g n e r, d ra p i n g i n s t r u c to r, b u s i n e s s co a c h , fo u r- t i m e p u b l i s h e d a u t h o r, a n d p u b l i c s p e a ke r w h o h e l p s eve nt p rofe s s i o n a l s t ra n s fo r m their b u s i n e s s e s to at t ra c t h i g h e r- p ay i n g c l i e nt s . He r m i s s i o n i s to i n s p i re c re at i ve e nt re p re n e u rs to t ra n s i t i o n f ro m t h e i r 9 - 5 to s u cce s s f u l b u s i n e s s ow n e rs d o i n g w h at t h ey l ove .

Pre c i o u s s t a r te d h e r co m p a ny, Th e Po s h Ac a d e my, a s a b u s i n e s s m e nto r a n d d ra p i n g i n s t r u c to r to a s s i s t ot h e r eve nt p rofe s s i o n a l s w h o we re l o o k i n g to e n h a n ce t h e i r s k i l l s a n d g row t h e i r business.

18

Ce l e b rate t h e Wi n s : St re s s Ma na ge m ent Le s s o n s Fro m 4 0 Ye a rs i n Eve nt s Author: Fausto Pifferrer

Y

ou c a n' t m a ke eve r yo n e h a p py. Yo u j u s t c a n' t . Le a r n t h i s f i rs t .

" If yo u fee l l i ke yo u ' re l o s i n g eve r y t h i n g , re m e m b e r, t ree s l o s e t h e i r l e a ve s eve r y ye a r, yet t h ey s t i l l s ta n d ta l l a n d wa i t fo r b et te r d a ys to co m e ."

- Ja p a n e s e l e ge n d I l ove t h i s q u ote . It re m i n d s m e t h at eve r y t h i n g i s c yc l i c a l . It i s u p to u s to ke e p t h e sys te m wo r k i n g . Br i a n Dys o n , fo r m e r C EO of Co c a - Co l a , g ave a co m m e n ce m e nt s p e e c h i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 9 0 s , i n w h i c h h e i l l u s t rate d h i s t h e o r y of t h e f i ve b a l l s of l i fe . Br i ef l y, Dys o n d e s c r i b e s l i fe a s a j u gg l i n g a c t of 5 b a l l s . Th e b a l l s a re wo r k , fa m i l y, friends, health, and spirit. As the balls a re j u gg l e d , yo u re a l i ze t h at i f yo u d ro p t h e " wo r k " b a l l , i t w i l l b o u n ce back, implying t h at wo r k- re l ate d i s s u e s c a n b e re cove re d . Fa m i l y, h e a l t h , f r i e n d s , a n d s p i r i t a re g l a s s b a l l s . If yo u d ro p t h e s e , t h ey c a n b e d a m a ge d , p ote nt i a l l y i r re p a ra b l y, h i g h l i g ht i n g t h e i r f ra g i l i t y a n d t h e i m p o r t a n ce of p r i o r i t i z i n g t h e m .

Th e t h e o r y e m p h a s i ze s t h e n e e d to re cog n i ze w h at t r u l y m at te rs a n d s t r i ve fo r b a l a n ce in l i fe , u n d e rs t a n d i n g t h at s o m e a s p e c t s a re m o re d e l i c ate a n d re q u i re m o re c a ref u l at te nt i o n t h a n ot h e rs .

On e way t h at I m a n a ge my s t re s s (a n d by d efa u l t , s o m e of t h e s t re s s o n my te a m) i s by s et t i n g f i r m b o u n d a r i e s at wo r k : Ju s t l i ke k i d s , a d u l t s t h r i ve i n a s t r u c t u re . Hav i n g a go o d wo r kd ay p l a n fo r eve r y d ay m a ke s a s i g n i f i c a nt

d i f fe re n ce i n yo u r l i fe a n d yo u r business.

Of f i ce Ho u rs a re n ot o pt i o n a l ! Co m e u p w i t h a n of f i ce schedule and stick to it!

Set a p p ro p r i ate b o u n d a r i e s fo r of f- h o u rs a s we l l . ( No c a l l s /tex t af te r 8 p m , w h ateve r wo r k s fo r yo u .

Bu t s t i c k to i t ! Ut i l i ze t h e of f i ce to o l s a l re a d y ava i l a b l e to yo u . Th e re a re s o m a ny to o l s t h at c a n h e l p s i m p l i f y yo u r d ays : Tot a l Pa r t y Pl a n n e r, Ai s l e .

Pl a n n e r, Tre l l o , etc . E x a m i n e w h e re yo u r n e e d s a re a n d f i n d a to o l t h at w i l l h e l p yo u w i t h t h e m . Ma ny of t h e m of fe r f re e e nt r y - l eve l o pt i o n s to h e l p fa m i l i a r i ze yo u rs e l f w i t h t h e to o l s . Fo r m e , n ew to o l s c a n b e a n u nwe l co m e l e a r n i n g p ro ce s s - d o n' t avo i d a n ew to o l b e c a u s e of t h e l e a r n i n g c u r ve !

So m et i m e s s p e n d i n g a l i t t l e t i m e w i t h a n ew to o l w i l l c h a n ge yo u r l i fe d ow n t h e ro a d .

No i s a co m p l ete s e nte n ce ! No a l s o s t a n d s fo r " n ex t o p p o r t u n i t y," w h i c h i s w h e re yo u a re h e a d i n g o n ce yo u d e c l i n e t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y.

Sc h e d u l e yo u r f re e t i m e . So m a ny of u s i nte nt i o n a l l y avo i d d o i n g t h i s . Do e s n' t i t m a ke s e n s e to s c h e d u l e a n d t h o u g ht f u l l y p l a n yo u r p e rs o n a l t i m e t h e s a m e way yo u d o at wo r k ? Ma ke s u re yo u h ave d ays of f to re c h a rge a n d l o o k fo r wa rd to . Yo u r " we e ke n d " m ay b e o n Mo n d ay/ Tu e s d ay, b u t yo u n e e d i t ! Ma ke s u re yo u c l a i m i t .

Bu i l d a t r u s te d c i rc l e of p refe r re d p rofe s s i o n a l s (ve n d o rs) . I t a l k a l ot about w h at I call " Prefe r re d Profe s s i o n a l Cu r re n c y ", a n d t h i s i s w h e re i t s t a r t s . Th e s e a re t h e fo l k s t h at yo u d e p e n d o n , a n d t h at re l y o n yo u i n yo u r p rofe s s i o n a l l i fe .

I s p e n d a l ot of t i m e at t h e g y m . Th at i s w h e re I re l a x . Bu t we i rd l y, t a k i n g c a re of mys e l f p hys i c a l l y i s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a nt t h i n g t h at I n eve r re m e m b e r to d o . A s I get o l d e r, I n ot i ce t h e i m p o r t a n ce of re s t i n g , e at i n g , a n d hyd rat i n g , t h e b a s i c s t h at we of te n fo rget to d o , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n we a re at wo r k . I s p e nt a l ot of t i m e t h i n k i n g t h at n ot d o i n g t h e s e t h i n g s p rove d h ow h a rd I wo r ke d . It d o e s n' t . Get ove r yo u rs e l f. Ta ke c a re of yo u rs e l f Do n' t ove r b u rd e n yo u r te a m o r t a ke o n l i ke a n a d u l t . Ta ke t h e t i m e to t h i n k m o re t h a n yo u can co mfo r t a b l y a b o u t yo u r p re - a n d p o s t - eve nt exe c u te . Th e wo rd " n o" s h o u l d b e yo u r re cove r y. It m ay s e e m l i ke ove r k i l l , friend!

Not a l l wo r k i s go o d wo r k ! A c ate r i n g ge n i u s , Mi c h a e l Ro m a n , s a i d t h i s , a n d h e wa s r i g ht . Tr u s t yo u r g u t . If s o m et h i n g fe e l s of f a b o u t a n i n q u i r y o r i n i t i a l co nve rs at i o n , i t p ro b a b l y i s .

Not eve r y c l i e nt i s a go o d f i t fo r yo u r b u s i n e s s . It i s o k ay to i d e nt i f y t h e s e a n d avo i d t h e m . Th e s a m e go e s fo r l a s t - m i n u te re q u e s t s . A s te m pt i n g a s t h ey c a n b e , c h o o s e t h e s e c a ref u l l y.

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b u t i t w i l l h e l p yo u r l o n gev i t y i n t h e l o n g r u n ! Pl a n yo u r e a r l y n i g ht s b efo re eve nt s i nte nt i o n a l l y, a n d get re s te d fo r t h e n ex t d ay. Pl a n to re l a x t h e d ay af te r i f yo u t h i n k yo u ' l l n e e d to . Ta k i n g c a re of yo u r p hys i c a l h e a l t h go e s h a n d i n h a n d w i t h yo u r m e nt a l h e a l t h .

Inve s t i n t h i s a s we l l . Yo u c a n ke e p i t s i m p l e - m e d i t at i o n a p p s , b re at h i n g exe rc i s e s , etc . , o r m a ke m o re fo r m a l a r ra n ge m e nt s w i t h a p rofe s s i o n a l .

Wh ateve r wo r k s fo r yo u i s w h at i s b e s t fo r yo u .

Fi n a l l y, d o n' t fo rget to ce l e b rate yo u r w i n s . Sm a l l w i n s a re t h e s a m e a s b i g w i n s ! Th ey a l l re p re s e nt g row t h a n d p rog re s s . Yo u m a d e i t t h i s fa r - t a ke a few d e e p b re at h s a n d ke e p go i n g !

He re a re t h re e t a ke away t h at I h o p e yo u re m e m b e r :

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Co - fo u n d e r of Bl u e El e p h a nt Eve nt s a n d C ate r i n g , Ma i n e Ve n u e Pa r t n e rs , a n d Co - ow n e r of Re a l Ma i n e We d d i n g s m a g a z i n e , Fa u s to b e g a n h i s c a re e r i n c ate r i n g a n d eve nt p l a n n i n g 4 0 ye a rs a go i n Ph i l a d e l p h i a . He h a s a n eye fo r d et a i l and p ro d u c t i o n and is p a s s i o n ate a b o u t c re at i n g h i g h - q u a l i t y, m e m o ra b l e eve nt s fo r h i s we d d i n g a n d co r p o rate c l i e nt s . Fa u s to i s a m e m b e r of t h e Le a d i n g C ate re rs of Am e r i c a , s i t s o n t h e b o a rd of d i re c to rs of t h e Inte r n at i o n a l C ate re rs A s s o c i at i o n a n d Se e d s of Ho p e Co m m u n i t y Ce nte r, a n d i s a p a s t Pre s i d e nt of t h e Bi d d efo rd Sa co Rot a r y Club.

He re ce nt l y p u b l i s h e d h i s f i rs t b o o k : Te m p o ra r y Fr i e n d s : A C ate re r 's Gu i d e to t h e Pe r fe c t Day.

1 . Sto p c h a s i n g p e r fe c t i o n . Yo u m i g ht j u s t f i n d i t w h e n yo u s to p l o o k i n g .

2 . Inve s t i n yo u r m e nt a l h e a l t h 3 . Ce l e b rate yo u r w i n s Love ya ! , Fa u s to

21

Me d i te r ra n e a n Dre a m s Bro u g ht to L i fe i n Sa ra s ot a Th e s u n wa s wa r m ove r t h e Powe l Cro s l ey Es t ate , a n d a ge nt l e b re e ze c a r r i e d t h e s ce nt of s a l t wate r f ro m Sa ra s ot a Bay. Re b e c a h a n d Rya n h a d d re a m e d of a we d d i n g t h at fe l t l i ke a s u n - d re n c h e d ce l e b rat i o n on the Me d i te r ra n e a n co a s t — t i m e l e s s , co l o r f u l , a n d a l i ve w i t h j oy. A s t h e i r g u e s t s a r r i ve d at t h e h i s to r i c e s t ate , i t wa s c l e a r t h e i r v i s i o n h a d co m e to l i fe i n eve r y d et a i l .

Th e s et t i n g a l o n e to l d a s to r y. Arc h e d b a l co n i e s , s we e p i n g wate r f ro nt v i ews , a n d p a l m - f ra m e d g a rd e n s c re ate d a b a c kd ro p t h at fe l t b ot h o l d - wo r l d a n d v i b ra nt . A g a i n s t t h i s c a nva s , Re b e c a h a n d Rya n l aye re d a d e s i g n t h at wa s a ny t h i n g b u t o rd i n a r y. Cr i s p w h i te a n d l u s h g re e n e r y a n c h o re d t h e l o o k , w h i l e b o l d s p l a s h e s of m a ge nt a , co ra l , c i t r u s o ra n ge , go l d e n ye l l ow, a n d f u c h s i a d a n ce d t h ro u g h t h e f l o ra l s , gow n s , a n d tablescapes.

Th e ef fe c t wa s b re at ht a k i n g — l i ke a s u m m e r s u n s et p a i nte d a c ro s s t h e d ay.

Th e b r i d a l p a r t y e m b o d i e d t h e s p i r i t of t h e ce l e b rat i o n . Br i d e s m a i d s s te p p e d o u t i n a ra i n b ow of gow n s — l ave n d e r, p e a c h , b r i g ht p i n k , go l d e n ye l l ow, a n d s of t g re e n — e a c h co l o r e c h o i n g t h e

b l o o m s t h at s u r ro u n d e d t h e m .

A s g u e s t s g at h e re d a l o n g t h e b ay f ro nt , a nt i c i p at i o n f i l l e d t h e a i r. Th e a i s l e wa s a l i ve w i t h v i b ra nt f l owe rs t h at s e e m e d to b l o o m s t ra i g ht f ro m t h e g ro u n d , g u i d i n g t h e way to a n a l t a r f ra m e d by a sy m m et r i c a l f l o ra l a rc h .

Wi t h t h e s u n g l i m m e r i n g o n t h e wate r, t h e ce re m o ny fe l t l i ke s te p p i n g i nto a s e a s i d e g a rd e n o n t h e Me d i te r ra n e a n .

Wh e n Re b e c a h a n d Rya n exc h a n ge d vows , t h e re wa s n’ t a d r y eye i n s i g ht — l ove a n d b e a u t y ra d i ate d f ro m eve r y co r n e r.

Bu t t h e co u p l e’s t h o u g ht f u l n e s s s h o n e j u s t a s b r i g ht l y i n t h e l i t t l e d et a i l s .

In s te a d of t ra d i t i o n a l e s co r t c a rd s , Re b e c a h h a n d - c raf te d a w h i m s i c a l to u c h : f re s h o ra n ge s t i e d w i t h r i b b o n , e a c h b e a r i n g a g u e s t ’s n a m e . It wa s a p l ay f u l n o d to Me d i te r ra n e a n c i t r u s g rove s a n d a p e rs o n a l g i f t f ro m t h e b r i d e’s ow n h a n d s , a d et a i l g u e s t s c a r r i e d w i t h t h e m l o n g af te r t h e n i g ht wa s ove r.

Th e re ce pt i o n c a r r i e d t h e ce l e b rat i o n i nto a wo r l d of co l o r a n d c a n d l e l i g ht .

Ta b l e s we re d re s s e d i n c r i s p w h i te l i n e n s , a n c h o re d w i t h d e e p te a l n a p k i n s a n d v i nt a ge - i n s p i re d g l a s s wa re

t h at c a u g ht t h e f l i c ke r of f l a m e s .

Fl o ra l s ove r f l owe d w i t h b o l d b l o o m s i n s h a d e s of m a ge nt a , co ra l , te a l , go l d e n ye l l ow, a n d c i t r u s o ra n ge , w h i l e s l e n d e r t a p e r c a n d l e s i n m i s m atc h e d j ewe l to n e s ro s e g ra cef u l l y f ro m t h e a r ra n ge m e nt s . A s t h e s u n s et a n d t h e c a n d l e s c a m e a l i ve , t h e s p a ce g l owe d w i t h a wa r mt h t h at fe l t b ot h ro m a nt i c and electric.

An d t h e n c a m e t h e m u s i c . Un d e r a c a n o py of t w i n k l i n g l i g ht s , t h e b a n d s t r u c k i t s f i rs t l i ve l y n ote s , a n d t h e d a n ce f l o o r q u i c k l y f i l l e d . Re b e c a h a n d Rya n l e d t h e way, t h e i r j oy co nt a g i o u s a s l a u g hte r, c l a p p i n g , a n d s o n g f i l l e d t h e n i g ht a i r. Gu e s t s t w i r l e d u n d e r t h e s t a rs , t h e e s t ate’s a rc h i te c t u re g l ow i n g s of t l y i n t h e b a c k g ro u n d , a s t h e b ay ref l e c te d t h e m a g i c of t h e eve n i n g .

Eve r y e l e m e nt — f ro m t h e h a n d c raf te d o ra n ge s to t h e k a l e i d o s co p e of f l o ra l s — wove toget h e r to te l l a s to r y of ro m a n ce , a r t i s t r y, a n d p u re j oy.

Re b e c a h a n d Rya n d i d n’ t j u s t h o s t a we d d i n g ; t h ey c re ate d an u nfo rget t a b l e ex p e r i e n ce , a l ove s to r y b ro u g ht to l i fe w i t h Me d i te r ra n e a n c h a r m a n d m o d e r n f l a i r at t h e t i m e l e s s Powe l Cro s l ey Es t ate .

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Wedding Vendors Wedding Planner/Designer/Content: Precious Moments Events | Venue: Powel Crosley Estate | Photography: Tara Tomlinson Photography | Videography: Films By Ross | Catering: Simply Gourmet By Metz | Specialty Services: First Class Entertainment | Beauty: Adore Bridal | Florals: Design By Schell | Rentals: Swanky Soiree , Precious Moments Events , Stella Rose Events , A's Rentals | Lighting: Stella Rose Events | Entertainment: Blonde Ambition Band

Co m p o s e d i n C h a o s : Th e Em ot i o n a l Re s i l i e n ce Eve r y We d d i n g Pro Ne e d s Author: Maisa Giarrizzo Peisajovich Founder & Ceremony Officiant, Pinceladas de Bodas

I

n t h e we d d i n g i n d u s t r y, t h e re a re no s e co n d c h a n ce s .

Eve r y ce re m o ny i s u n i q u e , u n re p e at a b l e , a n d l o a d e d w i t h ex p e c t at i o n s , e m ot i o n s , a n d p re s s u re . A s a we d d i n g of f i c i a nt , I s t a n d at t h e h e a r t of i t a l l , of te n t h e f i rs t a n d l a s t p e rs o n to speak during one of t h e most i m p o r t a nt m o m e nt s of a co u p l e’s l i fe .

Wh at m o s t p e o p l e d o n’ t s e e i s t h e e m ot i o n a l a n d m e nt a l we i g ht t h at co m e s w i t h i t . Be h i n d eve r y h e a r t fe l t s p e e c h a n d p o et i c p a u s e i s s o m e o n e w h o i s c a r r y i n g t h e re s p o n s i b i l i t y of s et t i n g t h e to n e fo r a n e nt i re d ay.

Af te r ye a rs of of f i c i at i n g we d d i n g s , I ’ ve ex p e r i e n ce d just about eve r y t h i n g : ra i n fa l l i n g r i g ht a s t h e co u p l e s ays , “ I d o ,” n e r vo u s b r i d e s fo rget t i n g t h e i r vows , g u e s t s t a l k i n g ove r the ce re m o ny, m i c ro p h o n e s fa i l i n g , a n d fa m i l y te n s i o n s b rew i n g r i g ht b efo re we b e g i n . In e a c h m o m e nt , I ’ ve h a d to re m a i n c a l m , g ro u n d e d , a n d fo c u s e d . Be c a u s e w h e n yo u a re t h e o n e g u i d i n g t h e ce re m o ny, t h e re’s n o s p a ce fo r v i s i b l e s t re s s . Yo u h ave to be co m p o s e d , eve n if eve r y t h i n g i n s i d e yo u i s ra c i n g .

The Weight of the “One Perfect Moment” Un l i ke ot h e r ve n d o rs who can s o m et i m e s a d j u s t t h e i r t i m e l i n e o r wo r k b e h i n d t h e s ce n e s , of f i c i a nt s l i ve i n t h e s p ot l i g ht , l i te ra l l y. We h ave o n e c h a n ce to d e l i ve r t h e m e s s a ge t h at s et s t h e e m ot i o n a l to n e fo r t h e e nt i re eve nt . On e m i s s e d l i n e , o n e p o o r l y chosen wo rd , one m o m e nt of n e r vo u s n e s s … a n d t h at s a c re d e n e rg y c a n s l i p away.

Wh at m a ny p e o p l e d o n’ t re a l i ze i s h ow m u c h p re s s u re t h at b r i n g s . Ea c h ce re m o ny re q u i re s n ot just p re p a rat i o n , b u t e m ot i o n a l p re s e n ce .

We d o n’ t s i m p l y re a d s c r i pt s , we te l l a co u p l e’s s to r y, h o l d s p a ce fo r t h e i r e m ot i o n s , a n d co n n e c t d oze n s (o r h u n d re d s) of g u e s t s to t h at s to r y, l i ve a n d u n re h e a rs e d . An d t h at ’s n o s m a l l task.

Real Weddings, Real Challenges

Photo by michelle943 from Getty Images

I ’ l l n eve r fo rget t h e we d d i n g w h e re t h e ce re m o ny wa s s et o n a w i n d y cliffside.

Th e s o u n d sys te m fa i l e d m o m e nt s b efo re we b e g a n . Th e co u p l e wa s n e r vo u s , t h e g u e s t s we re w h i s p e r i n g , a n d I h a d to p ro j e c t my vo i ce ove r t h e w i n d w h i l e t r y i n g to p re s e r ve t h e i nt i m a c y of t h e i r s to r y. I wa l ke d away p hys i c a l l y d ra i n e d , e m ot i o n a l l y d e p l ete d , b u t a l s o p ro u d , b e c a u s e n o o n e n ot i ce d t h e c h a o s , o n l y t h e l ove .

Mo m e nt s l i ke t h i s h ave t a u g ht m e t h at s t re s s i s p a r t of t h e j o b , b u t b u r n o u t d o e s n’ t h ave to b e .

Practical Strategies for Managing Ceremony-Day Stress Ove r t i m e , I ’ ve d eve l o p e d a to o l k i t of s t rate g i e s to h e l p m e n av i g ate t h e e m ot i o n a l a n d m e nt a l d e m a n d s of of f i c i at i n g we d d i n g s . He re a re a few t h at h ave b e e n m o s t ef fe c t i ve : 1 . Ove r- p re p a re , t h e n l et go I a l ways a r r i ve k n ow i n g t h e ce re m o ny s c r i pt i n s i d e a n d o u t , b u t I a l s o p ra c t i ce l et t i n g go of p e r fe c t i o n . I p re p a re t h o ro u g h l y, t h e n a l l ow s p a ce fo r n at u ra l e m ot i o n a n d co n n e c t i o n .

A ce re m o ny i s n’ t a p e r fo r m a n ce ; i t ’s a l i ve d m o m e nt . Th at m i n d s et h e l p s re d u ce p re s s u re a n d a l l ows m e to s t ay p re s e nt .

2.

Gro u n d ce re m o ny

yo u rs e l f

b efo re

It ’s a l s o e m ot i o n a l , h i g h - s t a ke s wo r k t h at d e m a n d s p re s e n ce , p re p a rat i o n , a n d s e l f- c a re .

Let ’s re m e m b e r t h at w h i l e we h e l p co u p l e s ce l e b rate t h e i r l ove , we m u s t a l s o s h ow l ove a n d co m p a s s i o n to o u rs e l ve s .

eve r y

I t a ke f i ve m i n u te s a l o n e b efo re e a c h ce re m o ny to b re at h e d e e p l y, ce nte r mys e l f, a n d fo c u s . I re m i n d mys e l f : Th i s m o m e nt i s fo r t h e m , n ot fo r m e .

Th i s s m a l l r i t u a l h e l p s c a l m n e r ve s , re l e a s e te n s i o n , a n d s te p i nto t h e ro l e w i t h p u r p o s e a n d p e a ce .

Be c a u s e t h e re i s n o p e r fe c t ce re m o ny i f t h e of f i c i a nt i s s i l e nt l y u n rave l i n g inside.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

3 . Em b ra ce yo u r h u m a n i t y Th i n g s w i l l go w ro n g , d og s b a r k , g u e s t s fa i nt , s o m e o n e fo rget s t h e i r l i n e s . Wh e n t h at h a p p e n s , I t r y to l e a n i nto t h e m o m e nt w i t h g ra ce a n d h u m o r. Be i n g a u t h e nt i c , rat h e r t h a n ro b ot i c , i s of te n w h at m a ke s a ce re m o ny t r u l y m e m o ra b l e .

4 . Bu i l d e m ot i o n a l b o u n d a r i e s Of f i c i at i n g we d d i n g s can be e m ot i o n a l l y i nte n s e . Yo u ’ re a b s o r b i n g t h e n e r ve s , h o p e s , a n d d e e p e m ot i o n s of t h e co u p l e a n d t h e i r fa m i l i e s .

Le a r n i n g to e m p at h i ze without i nte r n a l i z i n g eve r y t h i n g i s a s k i l l t h at p rote c t s yo u r e n e rg y i n t h e l o n g te r m .

5 . Have a p o s t - ce re m o ny w i n d - d ow n ritual Af te r e a c h ce re m o ny, I t a ke t i m e to d e co m p re s s . Wh et h e r i t ’s a q u i et cof fe e , a s h o r t wa l k , o r a m o m e nt of s i l e n ce i n t h e c a r, I g i ve mys e l f s p a ce to t ra n s i t i o n e m ot i o n a l l y b efo re m ov i n g o n . Th i s h e l p s p reve nt s t re s s f ro m b u i l d i n g u p ove r t i m e .

Lessons Learned from the Front Row of Love Ea c h we d d i n g ce re m o ny of fe rs a l e s s o n , n ot j u s t a b o u t l ove , b u t a b o u t h u m a n co n n e c t i o n a n d re s i l i e n ce . He re a re a few of my m o s t va l u a b l e t a ke aways : Pe r fe c t i o n i s n ot t h e go a l , p re s e n ce i s . Wh at p e o p l e re m e m b e r m o s t i s h ow t h ey fe l t d u r i n g t h e ce re m o ny, n ot w h et h e r eve r y wo rd wa s p e r fe c t l y d e l i ve re d .

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Th e u n ex p e c te d i s p a r t of t h e m a g i c . A b a by c r y i n g o r a g u s t of w i n d c a n b e co m e p a r t of t h e m o m e nt , n ot a d i s t ra c t i o n , i f yo u e m b ra ce i t w i t h e a s e .

Eve r y co u p l e n e e d s to fe e l s e e n .

Pe rs o n a l i z i n g ce re m o n i e s and a c k n ow l e d g i n g t h e u n i q u e n e s s of each l ove s to r y re d u ce s p e r fo r m a n ce p re s s u re , because yo u ' re n ot t r y i n g to " i m p re s s ," yo u ' re t r y i n g to h o n o r.

Yo u c a r r y s a c re d re s p o n s i b i l i t y, b u t n ot a l o n e . Re l y i n g o n t h e co u p l e , co o rd i n ato rs , o r eve n f r i e n d s to m a n a ge ce r t a i n d et a i l s a l l ows yo u to fo c u s o n w h at yo u d o b e s t : h o l d i n g s p a ce a n d te l l i n g s to r i e s .

Your Energy Shapes the Ceremony

Ma i s a Gi a r r i z zo Pe i s a j ov i c h i s a p rofe s s i o n a l ce re m o ny of f i c i a nt a n d fo u n d e r of Pi n ce l a d a s d e Bo d a s , w h e re s h e d e s i g n s a n d l e a d s p e rs o n a l i ze d , h e a r t fe l t ce re m o n i e s t h at ce l e b rate l ove i n i t s m o s t a u t h e nt i c a n d d i ve rs e fo r m s . Ea c h ce re m o ny i s c raf te d f ro m t h e co u p l e’s ow n s to r y, w i t h p l ay f u l to u c h e s , m o re fo r m a l m o m e nt s , a n d re l a xe d e l e m e nt s t h at c re ate a n at m o s p h e re of ge n u i n e co n n e c t i o n a n d s h a re d j oy.

Wi t h 1 4 ye a rs of ex p e r i e n ce a n d a deep passion fo r meaningful s to r y te l l i n g , Ma i s a c re ate s u n i q u e , e m ot i o n a l l y re s o n a nt m o m e nt s t h at ref l e c t e a c h co u p l e’s j o u r n ey, va l u e s , a n d c u l t u ra l i d e nt i t y. Sh e f i r m l y b e l i eve s t h at ce re m o n i e s a re s a c re d s p a ce s fo r co n n e c t i o n , a n d s h e b r i n g s e m p at hy, c re at i v i t y, and a calm p re s e n ce to eve r y ce l e b rat i o n .

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On e of t h e m o s t p owe r f u l l e s s o n s I ’ ve l e a r n e d i s t h i s : a s t h e of f i c i a nt , yo u r e n e rg y i s co nt a g i o u s . If yo u a re c a l m , g ro u n d e d , a n d j oy f u l , t h e co u p l e w i l l fe e l i t . Th e g u e s t s w i l l a b s o r b i t . Th e e nt i re to n e of t h e ce re m o ny w i l l ref l e c t i t .

Wh i c h m e a n s t h at yo u r we l l - b e i n g i s n ot o pt i o n a l , i t ’s e s s e nt i a l . Ta k i n g c a re of yo u rs e l f b efo re , d u r i n g , a n d af te r e a c h ce re m o ny i s p a r t of yo u r p rofe s s i o n a l re s p o n s i b i l i t y.

Of f i c i at i n g we d d i n g s i s a n h o n o r, a p r i v i l e ge , a n d a d e e p re s p o n s i b i l i t y.

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A B C N E W S A N D D E S I G N AT I O N S

A B C De s i g n at i o n s The Association of Bridal Consultants congratulates the following members for investing in themselves and increasing their designations and commitment to the Standard of Excellence:

RAMONA TAUZIN

YOLANDA SINCLAIR

MARIE RITTER

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

LOCATION:

LOCATION:

LOCATION:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Newnan, Georgia

Jasper, Georgia

BUSINESS NAME:

BUSINESS NAME:

BUSINESS NAME:

Red Carpet Destinations

A Red-Carpet Affair, LLC

Marie's Weddings and Events

MAKENZIE JOHNSON

JACQUELINE WHITE

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

LOCATION:

LOCATION:

Mebane, North Carolina

Houston, Texas

BUSINESS NAME:

BUSINESS NAME:

Carolina Event Masters

Joyous Beginnings Events

PENNER SCHOLARSHIP The Penner Scholarship was established by the late Dorothy Penner, (known to many as Miss Dorothy), a long-time Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) member who died of cancer in 1998. Miss Dorothy was an ardent supporter of ABC and an advocate of participation in the World of Weddings conference. The establishment of this scholarship by Miss Dorothy enables your association to award scholarship(s) each year to provide registration fees, and a stipend to Registered Wedding Planners, Vendor, or Auxiliary Member applicants.

HEART AWARD The award is for passion and excellence in the Wedding industry and is the most prestigious award presented by the Association of Bridal Consultants. It honors a member who has demonstrated a “passion” for the wedding industry. Members are nominated by their peers and are judged by the Heart Award Committee. Nominate someone today!

TO APPLY OR NOMINATE Please visit the website by scanning here "You have to have heart, and to do it with a passion so strong it becomes you. You live, breathe, eat and sleep this industry."

– Miss Dorothy Penner

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Gro u n d e d & Gra cef u l : How We d d i n g Pro s C a n Th r i ve Un d e r Pre s s u re Author: Oralia Aguirre Founder of Dream Decorations

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e i n g i n t h e Eve nt In d u s t r y i s a r i s k y j o b . Not o n l y b e c a u s e of t h e h i g h e m ot i o n a l s t a ke s of t h e eve nt we h ave to co - p ro d u ce w i t h a te a m of p e o p l et h at a re s o m et i m e s s t ra n ge rs , o r b e c a u s e of the i r re g u l a r h o u rs and t i g ht d e a d l i n e s . It i s m o s t l y r i s k y b e c a u s e we only h ave one c h a n ce to d e m o n s t rate our p rofe s s i o n a l i s m , c re at i v i t y a n d p rote c t o u r re p u t at i o n i n o n l y a few h o u rs i n f ro nt of fa m i l y a n d c l o s e s t f r i e n d s of a b e a u t i f u l co u p l e t h at h a s s p e nt a go o d a m o u nt of m o n ey i n t h e ce l e b rat i o n of t h e i r l ove .

Di d t h at m a ke yo u n e r vo u s? Pro b a b l y ye s . Di d yo u t h o u g ht a b o u t i t fo r a few s e co n d s a n d t h e n re a l i ze d yo u h ave d o n e ex a c t l y a l l of t h e s e s te p s m a ny t i m e s w i t h o u t a p ro b l e m a n d s t i l l get n e r vo u s? My b et i s ye s a g a i n .

So m u c h of o u r i n d u s t r y i s b a s e d i n o u r c re at i v i t y a n d o u r v i s i o n a n d s o m u c h of e nt re p re n e u rs h i p i t s e l f i s b a s e d i n m i n d s et , co n s i s te n c y a n d d i s c i p l i n e . Ma r r y i n g t h e t wo ve r y d i f fe re nt co n ce pt s m ay seem i m p o s s i b l e b e c a u s e fo r a l o n g t i m e being artistic e nt a i l e d to be d i s o rg a n i ze d a n d c a re f re e . Howeve r, a l o n g t h e ye a rs we h ave l e a r n e d t h at p re p a rat i o n a n d e d u c at i o n a l o n g w i t h m i n d s et g row t h can t a ke our b u s i n e s s e s to a l eve l of p rof i c i e n c y n e e d e d fo r s u c h a n i m p o r t a nt eve nt a s a we d d i n g .

A Calm Mindset Hav i n g a c h i l l p e rs o n a l i t y c a n o n l y t a ke yo u s o fa r. Befo re a ny we d d i n g , we wo r k the l og i s t i c s , timeline, c h e c k l i s t s , sys te m s , etc . b u t h ow m a ny t i m e s d o we i n c l u d e a g ro u n d i n g exe rc i s e or m e d i t at i o n to h ave e m ot i o n a l s e l f- co nt ro l ? Cre at i n g a sys te m t h at re g u l ate s yo u r e m ot i o n s b efo re yo u eve n wa l k o u t t h e d o o r w i l l i m p rove t h e s e re n i t y yo u m ay n e e d

w h e n o r i f a p ro b l e m a r i s e s . It d o e s n’ t n e e d to b e a w h o l e ro u t i n e of t h i n g s , a s i m p l e yet ef fe c t i ve exe rc i s e c a n m a ke a b i g i m p a c t of h ow yo u co n d u c t yo u rs e l f.

Identify Your Personal Triggers Befo re b e i n g a b u s i n e s s ow n e r, we a re p e o p l e . We h ave fe e l i n g s a n d t h o s e fe e l i n g s m ay i nf l u e n ce t h e m a ny d e c i s i o n s we t a ke t h ro u g h o u t t h e d ay.

Es t a b l i s h i n g b o u n d a r i e s s o yo u d o n’ t c a n a l i ze t h e c l i e nt s s t re s s i nto yo u r ow n i s t h e f i rs t s te p to t a ke . Th e n c re at i n g e m ot i o n a l b o u n d a r i e s w i t h g u e s t s a n d eve n w i t h ve n d o rs w i l l b r i n g a p e a ce of m i n d yo u n e e d to co m p l ete yo u r wo r k f l aw l e s s l y.

An ot h e r ve r y i m p o r t a nt b o u n d a r y i s h ow m u c h yo u wo r k . We h ave b e e n t a u g ht t h at we n e e d to wo r k h o u rs o n e n d to a cco m p l i s h s u cce s s b u t w h at i f t h e q u a l i t y of t h o s e h o u rs i m p rove s a n d yo u h ave t i m e to e n j oy l i fe? Th e l e s s s t re s s we h ave , t h e e a s i e r i t b e co m e s to m a ke d e c i s i o n s , t h e refo re t h e wo r k p rog re s s i s fa s te r.

Fo r a n eve nt p rofe s s i o n a l , t h i s i s l i ve l i h o o d .

Not o n l y p hys i c a l l y o u r b o d i e s n e e d re s t af te r a d ay of t h o u s a n d s of s te p s a n d h u n d re d s of co nve rs at i o n s w i t h g u e s t s a n d ve n d o rs ; t h e m i n d n e e d s a b re a k f ro m a l l d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g , c l i e nt d e m a n d s a n d te c h n i c a l p ro b l e m s t h at a p p e a r.

when yo u ’ re supposed to be p ro d u c t i ve w i l l n ot a s s u re yo u a s u cce s s f u l eve nt a n d yo u k n ow t h at .

Cre ate a wo r k schedule t h at a cco m m o d ate s yo u r n e e d s a n d a p l a n fo r af te r- wo r k h o u rs ro u t i n e t h at w i l l h e l p yo u d e s t re s s a n d re l a x .

Be prepared

Of co u rs e we n e e d t h e s a m e c a re d u r i n g t h e m o nt h s p r i o r w h i l e p l a n n i n g a ny eve nt . Wo r k i n g w h e n yo u ’ re s u p p o s e d to b e s l e e p i n g a n d wo r r y i n g

Wh at i s i t w i t h Eve nt Profe s s i o n a l s wa nt i n g to d o eve r y t h i n g t h e m s e l ve s l i ke t h ey a re s u p e r h e ro e s? Eve n i f yo u a re a s o l o p re n e u r, t h e re a re m a ny

The same way we get ready to execute an event, we can develop a routine with tools and techniques that will help when a challenge arises. Creating a crisis protocol that covers anything and everything you can think of will happen at an event is the best choice of preparation. It doesn’t mean we are expecting the wedding to be a disaster or that we are thinking negatively, it means we are ready for sudden changes and the possible outcomes.

Ask for help

Realistic Workload It wo u l d b e l ove l y to h ave m a ny we d d i n g s a we e k a n d to b e b o o ke d t h ro u g h o u t t h e ye a r. Re a l i s t i c? Ye s , i t c a n a c t u a l l y h a p p e n b u t i n o rd e r fo r t h at to b e d o n e we n e e d to l e a r n to d i ve rs i f y a n d i m p l e m e nt sys te m s t h at w i l l e a s e t h e wo r k l o a d . How c a n o n e p e rs o n b e re a d y to t a ke o nto m a ny we d d i n g s s i m u l t a n e o u s l y i f t h at s a m e p e rs o n i s s u f fe r i n g w h e n h av i n g o n e eve r y we e ke n d fo r t h e s u m m e r ?

Au to m at i z at i o n , d e l e g at i o n and b o u n d a r i e s a re t h e m a i n t h i n g s yo u c a n i m p l e m e nt i n yo u r b u s i n e s s to b e a b l e to a c h i eve a ny go a l s yo u h ave p u t yo u r m i n d to .

Wh e n t h e re i s a n a c t i o n p l a n fo r a ny go a l , t h at go a l b e co m e s m u c h e a s i e r to a c h i eve .

Create a Decompression Routine Su re a b at h a n d a g l a s s of w i n e s o u n d a m a z i n g b u t t h i n k f u r t h e r t h a n t h at .

Th i n k a b o u t a re cove r i n g r i t u a l t h at w i l l e n s u re a go o d n i g ht s l e e p a n d t h e ce r t a i nt y t h at yo u ’ re d o i n g a n a m a z i n g j o b . Fo r a co u p l e get t i n g m a r r i e d , t h e p ro ce s s i s m o nt h s of h a rd wo r k .

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ways to delegate and determine what needs to be done by only you.

Delegating not only means less things on your to-do list. It means you are protecting your energy. Energy that you will need to actually enjoy life outside work. Asking for help when you are worn out and crashed is too late. Check your energy levels to make sure the help comes when your battery is at 50% not in the red.

Raising your hand for help could look like hiring someone to take care of marketing, paying for a software to ease up bookkeeping, asking a friend to help you with easy tasks on your list, having a fellow vendor checking in on you for accountability, there are so many ways that not always involve a money transaction that can make a huge impact on your day-to-day work life.

Take the best of the worst I’ve heard someone say “every clause in my contract was put in place because of a bad experience with a client”. That someone was me! and because I don’t want a 10 page contract I have tried my hardest to learn the very first time and not to repeat the pattern. Learning from experience is a great quality for any entrepreneur; still, let’s not learn a lesson at every single wedding, shall we?

Being at a bad place will teach you where you don’t belong and the best you can do is to analyze what went wrong so it doesn’t happen again. Less mistakes, less stress.

Remember: calm is contagious. When you are prepared, your calm presence will set the tone for everyone else.

Clients will trust you, your team and other vendors will follow your lead, and small mishaps won’t turn into big problems.

It is important to know that the rush of a wedding day is inevitable but the panic is optional. The way you prepare and organize not only for that day but the whole process before is the difference between chaos and assertiveness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ora l i a A g u i r re i s t h e fo u n d e r of Dre a m De co rat i o n s , a n Eve nt De co r co m p a ny she launched in 2005 with the mission of c re at i n g s t u n n i n g , h e a r t fe l t d e s i g n s t h at a l l ow fa m i l i e s to b e f u l l y p re s e nt fo r l i fe’s m o s t m e a n i n g f u l ce l e b rat i o n s .

He r j o u r n ey b e g a n w i t h a s i m p l e ge s t u re — h e l p i n g d e co rate h e r b e s t f r i e n d ’s we d d i n g — w h i c h s p a r ke d a p a s s i o n t h at g rew i nto a c a re e r spanning ove r 600 beautifully exe c u te d eve nt s .

Or i g i n a l l y f ro m Mex i co , Ora l i a m ove d to C a l i fo r n i a at 1 7 a n d b u i l t h e r b u s i n e s s f ro m t h e g ro u n d u p . Wh at b e g a n a s a h o b by became a side hustle, then a part-time g i g , a n d to d ay, i t ’s a f u l l - t i m e , p rof i t a b l e b ra n d serving c l i e nt s t h ro u g h o u t No r t h e r n C a l i fo r n i a .

In 2 0 2 0 , Ora l i a ex p a n d e d h e r i m p a c t by b e co m i n g a n e d u c ato r a n d co a c h fo r fe l l ow eve nt d e s i g n e rs . Th ro u g h Dre a m Ma s te r m i n d a n d l ate r Eve nt De co r Ac a d e my, s h e h a s m e nto re d c re at i ve s , helping them g row s u s t a i n a b l e , i nte nt i o n a l b u s i n e s s e s .

He r m i s s i o n a s a n e d u c ato r i s s i m p l e b u t p owe r f u l : to h e l p p rofe s s i o n a l s avo i d co m m o n m i s t a ke s a n d g row w i t h c l a r i t y, s t rate g y, a n d co nf i d e n ce .

Wi t h nearly t wo decades of ex p e r i e n ce , Ora l i a’s m a i n m i s s i o n i s to g u i d e ot h e rs to t u r n t h e i r p a s s i o n i nto p rof i t w i t h o u t l o s i n g s i g ht of t h e i r c re at i v i t y o r p u r p o s e .

Ha p p i l y m a r r i e d fo r 1 4 ye a rs , ra i s i n g t wo a m a z i n g d a u g hte rs , c a r i n g fo r h e r m ot h e r, a n d s h a r i n g s p a ce w i t h t wo l ova b l e d og s — s h e’s a cof fe e a n d b o o k l ove r t h at i s a l s o h i g h l y e nte r t a i n e d by s h ows a b o u t f i rs t re s p o n d e rs a n d h i k i n g to b e a u t i f u l v i ews re g a rd l e s s of a n ot at h l et i c p e rs o n a l i t y.

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Saving the Day: Stress Management Lessons from a Luxury Destination Wedding in Greece

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Author: Nena Papadopoulou Accredited Wedding Planner, Destination Wedding Planner in Greece

n we d d i n g p l a n n i n g , n o m at te r h ow m et i c u l o u s l y yo u p re p a re , t h e u n ex p e c te d c a n - a n d of te n d o e s h a p p e n . Th e t r u e m e a s u re of a we d d i n g p rofe s s i o n a l i s n ot w h et h e r c h a l l e n ge s a r i s e , b u t h ow q u i c k l y a n d g ra cef u l l y yo u c a n re s o l ve t h e m w h i l e ke e p i n g t h e ce l e b rat i o n’s s p i r i t a l i ve .

I wa s re ce nt l y re m i n d e d of t h i s t r u t h d u r i n g a l u x u r y d e s t i n at i o n we d d i n g i n Gre e ce t h at wa s a s b re at ht a k i n g a s i t wa s d e m a n d i n g . Th e b r i d e , t h o u g h we l l - i nte nt i o n e d , had a s t ro n g te n d e n c y to m i c ro m a n a ge t h ro u g h o u t t h e e nt i re p l a n n i n g p e r i o d . Th i s ex te n d e d t h e p l a n n i n g p ro ce s s a n d , at t i m e s , c re ate d m o m e nt s of te n s i o n i n the m o nt h s leading up to the ce l e b rat i o n . Bu t t h e re a l te s t c a m e o n t h e we d d i n g d ay i t s e l f, w h e n t h re e m a j o r c h a l l e n ge s a ro s e - e a c h re q u i r i n g i m m e d i ate , d e c i s i ve , and tactful solutions.

To m a i nt a i n t h e at m o s p h e re , we a c te d i m m e d i ate l y : co l l a b o rat i n g w i t h t h e c ate r i n g te a m to ex te n d t h e s e r v i n g of d r i n k s a n d a p p et i ze rs , a n d ke e p i n g t h e s a xo p h o n i s t f ro m t h e we l co m e h o u r p l ay i n g l o n ge r to e nte r t a i n g u e s t s . By t h e t i m e t h e co u p l e a r r i ve d , h av i n g m i s s e d m u c h of t h e i r p l a n n e d g u e s t a r r i va l p h oto s , we t ra n s fo r m e d t h e m o m e nt i nto a wa r m co u p l e’s e nt ra n ce . Gu e s t s we re i nv i te d to s t a n d a n d c h e e r, fo l l owe d by a s p o nt a n e o u s g ro u p p h oto . Th e e n e rg y s h i f te d i n s t a nt l y, a n d t h e co u p l e wa l ke d i n to s m i l e s , a p p l a u s e , a n d j oy.

Challenge 3: The Wrong Wine L ate r i n t h e eve n i n g , t h e b r i d e re a l i ze d s h e h a d a p p rove d t h e w ro n g w i n e l a b e l fo r t h e re ce pt i o n — d e s p i te at te n d i n g t h e t a s t i n g a n d co nf i r m i n g t h e c h o i ce .

Wh i l e i t wa s u n d e n i a b l y h e r m i s t a ke , re m i n d i n g h e r of t h at wo u l d h ave a d d e d u n n e ce s s a r y s t re s s .

In s te a d , we q u i et l y a r ra n ge d fo r h e r p refe r re d w i n e to b e s e r ve d at t h e h e a d t a b l e a n d to b ot h fa m i l i e s . It wa s a s m a l l , d i s c re et ge s t u re , b u t o n e t h at m a d e h e r fe e l va l u e d a n d c a re d fo r.

Sh e l ate r t h a n ke d u s w i t h o n e of t h e k i n d e s t rev i ews we h ave eve r re ce i ve d .

Challenge 1: The Unprepared Photographer

Lessons in Stress Management Th i s we d d i n g re i nfo rce d s eve ra l key p r i n c i p l e s fo r h a n d l i n g h i g h - p re s s u re s i t u at i o n s and wo r k i n g with m i c ro m a n a g i n g c l i e nt s :

Th e b r i d e h a d c h o s e n a p h otog ra p h e r f ro m a n ot h e r co u nt r y w h o h a d n eve r wo r ke d i n Gre e ce o r p h otog ra p h e d a t ra d i t i o n a l Gre e k ce re m o ny. He h a d n eve r co nt a c te d us b efo re the we d d i n g - d e s p i te o u r re m i n d e rs to t h e brideo r rev i ewe d the d et a i l e d t i m e l i n e we h a d p re p a re d e s p e c i a l l y fo r h i m .

On t h e b i g d ay, h e d e l aye d t h e b r i d e’s a r r i va l at t h e c h u rc h w i t h u n n e ce s s a r y p re - ce re m o ny s h ot s r i g ht o u t s i d e t h e e nt ra n ce . Du r i n g t h e s e r v i ce , h e s e e m e d u n s u re of w h e re to s t a n d visibly f r u s t rat i n g the priest.

Af te r wa rd s , h e ke pt t h e co u p l e fo r nearly t wo h o u rs of p o r t ra i t s , a p p a re nt l y i g n o r i n g t h e l o c at i o n s we h a d s u gge s te d fo r t h e p h oto s h o ot , which had been chosen with the d i s t a n ce f ro m t h e ve n u e , t h e t raf f i c , a n d t h e t i m e re q u i re d to f i n d p a r k i n g i n m i n d . Me a nw h i l e , g u e s t s at t h e ve n u e g rew t i re d a n d s i m p l y wa nte d to s i t a n d e n j oy t h e re ce pt i o n .

Wo r k i n g c l o s e l y w i t h t h e f l o r i s t , we s w i f t l y t ra n s fo r m e d t h e ce nte r p i e ce s i nto b e a u t i f u l , l ow a r ra n ge m e nt s . Th e re s u l t wa s stunning—and m o re i m p o r t a nt l y, p ra c t i c a l - a l l ow i n g t h e a e s t h et i c to re m a i n e l e g a nt w h i l e e n s u r i n g eve r y t h i n g s t aye d i n p l a ce .

St ay Ah e a d of Pro b l e m s – Co nf i r m eve r y d et a i l w i t h a l l ve n d o rs we l l i n a d va n ce to re d u ce s u r p r i s e s .

Challenge 2: The Strong Wind Th e re ce pt i o n to o k p l a ce i n a d re a m l o c at i o n on the At h e n s Ri v i e ra , ove r l o o k i n g t h e s e a . Unfo r t u n ate l y, t h e b re at ht a k i n g v i ew c a m e w i t h p owe r f u l w i n d s t h at d ay a s we we re s et t i n g u p t h e s p a ce . L i n e n s l i f te d , m e n u a n d n a m e c a rd s f l ew away, a n d t a l l f l o ra l a r ra n ge m e nt s o n h e av y s t a n d s co u l d n’ t re m a i n u p r i g ht .

We q u i c k l y s e c u re d t h e l i n e n s a n d p l a ce c a rd s , b u t s t a b i l i z i n g t h e t a l l ce nte r p i e ce s p rove d i m p o s s i b l e .

Prote c t t h e Co u p l e’s E x p e r i e n ce – Sh i e l d them f ro m behind-thes ce n e s i s s u e s s o t h ey c a n re m a i n f u l l y p re s e nt .

Be Fl ex i b l e a n d Cre at i ve – Ad a pt quickly when plans c h a n ge — w h et h e r d u e to p e o p l e , we at h e r, o r u nfo re s e e n c i rc u m s t a n ce s .

Ke e p Gu e s t s En g a ge d – If d e l ays o cc u r, p r i o r i t i ze g u e s t co mfo r t , e nte r t a i n m e nt , a n d h o s p i t a l i t y.

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Le a d w i t h K i n d n e s s – Eve n w h e n a n issue is c l i e nt ’s re s p o n s i b i l i t y, re s o l v i n g i t w i t h u n d e rs t a n d i n g a n d go o d w i l l s t re n g t h e n s t r u s t .

No we d d i n g i s w i t h o u t i t s c h a l l e n ge s , b u t h ow we h a n d l e t h e m d ef i n e s u s a s p rofe s s i o n a l s . We d d i n g d y n a m i c s c a n c h a n ge at a ny m o m e nt , a s t h ey d e p e n d o n m a ny fa c to rs — s u c h a s t h e g u e s t s , t h e co u p l e t h e m s e l ve s , a n d s i t u at i o n s t h at u nfo l d i n re a l t i m e . In t h i s c a s e , t h re e s i g n i f i c a nt i s s u e s co u l d h ave e a s i l y ove rs h a d owe d t h e ce l e b rat i o n .

In s te a d , q u i c k t h i n k i n g , co l l a b o rat i o n , a n d a fo c u s o n t h e co u p l e’s h a p p i n e s s turned p ote nt i a l d i s a s te rs i nto m o m e nt s of co n n e c t i o n a n d j oy.

A s p l a n n e rs , we a re m o re t h a n d e s i g n e rs o r co o rd i n ato rs — we a re p ro b l e m - s o l ve rs , p e a ce ke e p e rs , a n d c re ato rs of j oy. An d w h e n a b r i d e d a n ce s t h e n i g ht away, u n awa re of t h e c h a l l e n ge s we n av i g ate d , t h at ’s w h e n we k n ow we’ ve t r u l y s u cce e d e d .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ne n a Pa p a d o p o u l o u i s t h e O w n e r a n d Ma n a g i n g Di re c to r of St y l e Co n ce pt Eve nt So l u t i o n s , a l u x u r y d e s t i n at i o n we d d i n g p l a n n i n g co m p a ny b a s e d i n At h e n s , Gre e ce .

An Acc re d i te d We d d i n g Pl a n n e r— a n d t h e f i rs t i n Gre e ce to h o l d t h i s d e s i g n at i o n f ro m t h e A s s o c i at i o n of Br i d a l Co n s u l t a nt s — she has been planning, designing, and p ro d u c i n g b e s p o ke ce l e b rat i o n s fo r i nte r n at i o n a l co u p l e s s i n ce 2 0 0 5 .

Ne n a s p e c i a l i ze s i n c re at i n g e l e g a nt , d i s t i n c t i ve we d d i n g ex p e r i e n ce s a c ro s s t h e At h e n s Ri v i e ra , t h e Gre e k i s l a n d s , t h e Pe l o p o n n e s e , a n d ot h e r s t u n n i n g l o c at i o n s t h ro u g h o u t Gre e ce .

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