As always, a big shout out to our members that have made the news. Below you’ll find members that have been highlighted or otherwise recognized. Thank you to those that submitted news this month and thank you to our members that continue to push the outside of the envelope in some way.
Rebecca Grant out of the WIPA Seattle chapter, owner of New Creations Weddings was a featured contributor in two segments aired on King 5 News. The first was to discuss the overwhelming demand after COVID and the second to discuss the shortage on dates and vendor availability as everything shifted into 2021 and beyond. Her venue, Twin Willow Gardens, was also featured in a huge full-page Lynnwood Times article showcasing the beauty of outdoor wedding venues and what they can be used for.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa will be breaking ground on a new outdoor venue starting June 2021. The beauty of the Arizona landscape is the inspiration for the newest outdoor space—The Desert Garden. This inspiring space, located in a serene courtyard and surrounded by a grove of mesquite trees, weaves together natural textures, materials, landscape and design to create an oasis in the desert. The Desert Garden will be unveiled in September 2021 and will be available to accommodate weddings and events of up to 100-350 guests. For more information and photos click HERE.
Holly Gray, Owner of Anything But Gray Events, was recently awarded the Equally Wed Best LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Planner Award 2021. This nationwide award showcases LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding vendors in every category.
Events by Jenny was awarded 2021 best of wedding with The Knot another year. Jenny is in the process of rebranding her website which will launch at the end of July. She also started a new business called Bash & Boujee offering Bachelorette and Birthday party décor catering to the audience looking for the perfect Instagram moment.
Sam Jacobson of Ideaction Consulting presented for NoCal WIPA on how wedding pros naturally sell differently – and how to spot areas to make key improvements.
Christie Osborne of Mountainside Media made an appearance on The Venue Rx Podcast and sidussed practices on ‘Marketing Your Wedding Business.’ Christie also revealed four tips to get started with auditing your marketing plan on WIPA.
Jennifer Taylor of Jen Taylor Consulting shared how to ‘Build a Supportive Community Within Your Network’ on Special Events.
Renée Dalo of Moxie Bright Events sat down and spoke with Special Events on her upcoming topic of ‘Off-boarding Events’ that she will be taking the stage for at the The Special Event + Catersource 2021 in July. Renée also appeared on The Venue Rx Podcast to discuss ‘Why Networking Matters as a Wedding Business Owner.’
Michelle Loretta of Be Sage Consulting shared with Special Events and Catersource how to Maximize Your Attendance During The Special Event + Catersource. She also addressed ‘What To Consider Before Selecting A Coach For Your Business.’
Leah Weinberg of Color Pop Events revealed ‘Everything You Need to Know About the Post-COVID Mindset of Wedding Couple’ on Catersource and ‘How to Plan Your Nuptials During the Post-COVID Wedding Boom’ on WeddingWire.
Elizabeth Sheils of Rock Paper Coin made her debut on The Venue Rx Podcast and shared her expertise on ‘Using Technology in your Wedding Business.’ Rock Paper Coin was also featured on The Knot, speaking to Favorite Wedding Photo Booth Ideas, and on Catersource about the Post-COVID Mindset of Wedding Couples.
José Rolón of José Rolón Events was featured on the cover of Parents Latina, along with the feature ‘Puerto Rican TikToker and Single Dad José Rolón on How He Turned Heartbreak into Laughter and Love’. He was also interviewed on the Today Show with ‘Single gay dad of 3 overcomes tragedy and becomes a TikTok star’, as well as highlighted in People in ‘TikTok’s José Rolón Says His 3 Kids ‘Saved My Life’ After Husband’s Sudden Death’.
Dixie Bagley of The Farm shed light on ‘Time Management Techniques for Juggling Multiple Brands’ on Catersource.
Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting rounded up experts for her article on ‘The Comeback of the DIY Wedding’ on Wedding Chicks and ‘2021 Summer Event Trends’ on Allseated. Meghan was featured on Medium’s Authority Magazine and revealed ‘5 Ways To Leverage Media Coverage To Dramatically Grow Your Business.’ She also addressed the ‘Top Misconceptions About Proposals That Wedding Pros Want You to Know’ on Popped.
Meredith Ryncarz, Owner of Meredith Ryncarz Photography and the Restart Specialist recently spoke in Kansas City at Project Obscura on Selling Luxury Products to Your Clients. She also was interviewed on the 15 Minute Marketing with GT podcast about how to market to a new audience.
JP Reynolds, Officiant, Author + Speech Writing Coach was interviewed by New York Times contributor Terri Pous for her Penguin House book, “How To Plan A Wedding,” slated for a 2022 release. He also contributed to an article for the HuffPost, “15 Mistakes People Make In Wedding Speeches”
Dawn Angela Mickens, Owner of Timeless Connection, Wedding Officiant + Author, was announced in a press release for the 5th year in a row as WeddingWire’s Couples’ Choice Award Winner. She also contributed to an article relating to the wedding industry for the Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Nevada during Black History Month. With the new addition of Pre-Marital Counseling Services, Timeless Connection is working to create innovative and exciting opportunities for couples to take their commitments beyond the chapel, a “Timeless Connection, Sealed with a Kiss”.
Planning on being a best dressed guest for an upcoming wedding or event? Friar Tux offers a selection of on-trend suits and tuxedos both for rental and purchase. This 70’s vibe with a modern twist styled shoot in Green Wedding Shoesfeatured Friar Tux’s caramel suit – a must-see for anyone who wants to show up this year in style. Speaking of Summer, rooftop moments are meant to be photographed, especially when it results in a real-life proposal. Friar Tux’s tan suit was there for all of it in Style Me Pretty’s recent peach inspired editorial turned into a real life proposal. Out of town groomsmen? Not a problem, Friar Tux has everyone covered through stores in Las Vegas and Southern California or online at FriarTux.com and StitchandTie.com. Are you a wedding professional looking to share exclusive savings with your couples? Join the Friar Tux Preferred Vendor Program to start sharing suit and tuxedo savings with your couples.
Bobbi Brinkman, Owner of Bobbi Brinkman Photography, Motivational Speaker, Coach + Educator recently contributed to a Pride feature, “Celebrating Pride with the LGBTQIA+ Wedding Community” with The Knot. She was also a speaker at the PowerHouse Business Conference in Boston, MA.