California Couture Conference

This past week, I had the pleasure of attending the Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference in sunny Newport, California. I’m exhausted, but I’m more rejuvenated then I’ve been in a while. The theme of the conference was California Couture – and the event organizers didn’t disappoint!! Watch for more postings coming as I share a couple tidbits I picked up from the conference.

My conference buddy was my good friend Crystal Adair-Benning from Distinct Occasions in Toronto – after getting settled on in to our posh Fairmont Newport hotel room on Saturday, the festivities quickly began the next day.

Sunday was our workshop day, where both Crystal and I became Sandals Certified Specialists - I’m so excited about these ‘Luxury Included’ resorts and what they have to offer for honeymoons and destination weddings – there is so much support from Sandals for wedding planners to draw upon, to ensure our couples have the most memorable of honeymoons.

The vendor fair was like a candy shop for wedding planners!! I had opportunity to meet with some incredible suppliers, offering distinctive linens, uniquely designed chair covers, elegant invitations, couture keepsakes and luxurious favours. I’m so excited about these new options for our clients…some of the products are already planned for utilization in our upcoming 2009 Nuance Occasions weddings, and I’ll be sharing more about some of these great vendors throughout our blog in the coming weeks.

Sunday concluded with a pool-side reception to meet and greet other planners and conference organizers. I was treated to a selection of hors d’ouevres and a potatoe martini bar (complete with mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes in a martini glass – and your choice of toppings: chicken, mushrooms, 3 types of cheeses, scallions, bacon & more). I got to personally test out a new travelling photo booth concept, and participate in southern California hospitality.

Monday began bright and early with discussions of how to ensure a California Couture look for our couples – with discussions about couture wedding fashion trends, hair and make up secrets, and photography styles that match client needs and expectations. We continued on with workshops about improved techniques for paper management (ie. my 3″ thick file folders LOL), and then came into the design portion at lunch, where the room exploded with over 20 different centerpiece inspirations and design elements!

Our afternoon featured lessons on fixing a bustle with unique techiques, couture napkin folding 101, and lessons on properly assisting a bride and bridesmaids with putting on a Sari. A lot of today was focused on relationships with clients and vendors and beautiful design elements.

Monday night I was able to fit in a little shopping, and by chance met Stacy of Wedding Window - a popular wedding website company. I’ve always loved what Wedding Window had to offer, but knowing the direction the company is going, has me even more excited about their next endeavors!

Tuesday of the ABC annual conference was all about Colin Cowie and creating luxurious events!

Tuesday featured a couture tented breakfast and an awards ceremony for distinquished planners in the association. The morning proceeded with workshops on working in events beyond weddings…and then, the moment I had been waiting for. I had opportunity to hear Colin Cowie – event planner to the stars – speak and discuss his planning and production process for his events, and then had an opportunity to meet with Colin during another elegant luncheon. I even got my book signed!!! He is a very gracious man, and it was a true pleasure to hear about the work and process involved with creating his events.

The afternoon was full of competitions to create wedding inspiration boards with a team – I had some fabulous planners to work with, and although we didn’t win – I still think we should have LOL! Wedding planners get a little competative when it comes to contests – there was a lot of stealing and cheating go on throughout the exercise – all in good fun of course. Then we were wisked away to a the Marina Institute in Newport for some oceanside cocktails and fun hors d’ouvres stations!

I was sad to see the conference come to an end…I had met so many incredible planners, including Mary Dann from California (as seen on ‘Whose Wedding is it Anyway?”), and planners from Bulgaria, Italy, and Argentina. I’ve met vendors I’ve only ever conversed with online, and I got to spend some great time with my friend Crystal! And although I shopped till I dropped and filled my bags to .25lb below the maximum limit – it was time to head home. I arrived home to Edmonton, Alberta in the middle of the night on Thursday, loving being home, but wide awake with my mind swimming with new design ideas and new inspiration.

If you’ve read this far – I applaud you…I’m just so excited about this luxury wedding event and all the luxurious couture ideas we’ll now be able to implement with our very own Nuance Occasions weddings. This type of continuing education is so important for all wedding planners….as exhausting as it may be, it does rejuvenate the planners soul.

Be sure to check out our Educational Category for an upcoming conference near you – and if you have a conference to add, please let me know, so I can add it to the list!

I’d love to hear your conference reports and stories!

Jolyn | Wedding Planner Coach