All Things Weddings
Seasons Greetings Everyone!
It's been a productive year for WIPA- from new chapters and record membership numbers to exciting new partnerships in the industry.
Our Director of Programs and Education is also working steadily on the launch of a new virtual education opportunity, which will allow you to benefit from insight from some of the industry's top leaders.
We're particularly excited for WIPA's new website, which will serve our membership, prospects and sponsors well. Special thanks to Corinne and Vicki for guiding us through the process.
Additionally, the Special Event 2017 is fast approaching and it won't be too long before we meet in Long Beach. We'll have a presence at the tradeshow so please be sure to come by and say hello.
And finally, as we take one last moment to reflect on 2016, we're particularly thankfully to our president Brit Bertino, who brought her vision for the association to life while elevating WIPA to new heights.
Happy holidays to all- we'll see you in 2017!
Your Free Exhibit Hall Pass to The Special Event 2017: 200+ exhibits Opening General Session 5,000+ event profs Gala Awards TSE Live Theater Gala Boards Design Gallery Showcase
Use Discount Code: WIPA for your Free Exhibit Hall pass or Take Advantage of Discounted Pricing on the Full Education Package! Save over 30% by Registering Now!
Catersource, the Show for Catering and Event Professionals, is heading to New Orleans March 12 - 15, 2017 for an industry experience like never before! Discover new trends, ideas, business concepts, products and services in this lively, culture-filled city as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this industry-leading event.
Visit conference.catersource.com for more details about this year's education, events, networking, and more and save $50 with code 17WIPA. We'll see you in New Orleans!

Did you know, the average HoneyBook member saves 3 weeks a year on administrative tasks? We are excited to partner with HoneyBook to give you less work, more life. HoneyBook is 100% customizable, easy and complete online business management software. It’s designed just for creatives to easily create, send and store electronic proposals, contracts and invoices in one place - keeping you more organized and giving your clients a digital experience. WIPA members can save $100 off a Founding Membership or 20% off monthly membership*, plus complimentary account set-up. It has never been easier, than now. Click below to schedule a personalized demo and get a free 14 day trial. https://calendly.com/greatdane *Offer is only for current WIPA member

WIPA is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Where Will They Stay?, a unique service offering custom hotel room block procurement for wedding and event planners. Their free service means that you, or your clients, save the time and hassle of reaching out to hotels for a discounted room block, and their shared revenue model means that their industry partners earn commissions on every referral.
We're thrilled to share that WIPA members will exclusively receive a 20% commission for every referred block.Visit www.wherewilltheystay.com or e-mail Amy Green at [email protected] to learn more about their services today!

WIPA would like to welcome & thank our newest members for joining and supporting our organization as we continue to expand across the nation! Please be sure to reach out and welcome these new members.
Colorado Chapter New Members
John Sargent John Cain Photography [email protected] johncainphotography.com 214.520.6771
Texas-Colorado-Destination Wedding Photographer
Kara Sargent DesignWorks [email protected] www.designworksevents.com 720.941.7440
Custom Event Design working with clients from all over the country in locations throughout Colorado and other states.
Las Vegas Chapter New Members
JCristina Gonzalez, CGSP Simply Weddings Las Vegas [email protected] www.simplyweddingslv.com 702.592.3982
Shai Peri Next Level Sounds Inc. [email protected] www.NextLevelSounds.com 702.613.7007
Premier Mobile DJ Entertainment
New York Chapter New Members
Angela Gregory The Riverside Church [email protected] www.trcnyc.org 212.870.6762
The Riverside Church is a Gothic landmark on the uooer west side of Manhattan. Its 20-story tower offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the opportunity for both Ceremony and Reception. Riverside is an opening and affirming church that welcomes interfaith, intercultural and same-sex couples.
Philadelphia Chapter New Members
Robyn Platoni Chick Invitations [email protected] www.chickinvitations.com 215.592.1407
We are a custom stationery studio in Philadelphia. We specialize in great graphic design, beautiful typography and premium printing techniques & paper. Whether designing for a black tie gala or backyard BBQ, our design expertise will help you create the paper products for your day.
Rian Winther Eventions Productions [email protected] www.eventionsproductions.com 610.485.5900
Phoenix Chapter New Members
Annie Artenian Wekopa Resort & Conference Center [email protected] www.wekoparesort.com 480.789.5536
Wekopa is a four diamond resort located in Fountain Hills among the Sonoran Desert and Four Peaks Mountain. Our indoor and outdoor venues offer some of the most unforgettable views in the Valley and are an ideal location for all your celebration needs.
Traci Mead Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia [email protected] www.omnihotels.com/montelucia 480.627.3125
The Omni Montelucia is a luxury resort in the Scottsdale area and destination to many luxurious weddings.
Courtney Townsend Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia [email protected] www.omnihotels.com/montelucia 480.627.3125
The Omni Montelucia is a luxury resort in the Scottsdale area and destination to many luxurious weddings.
San Francisco Chapter New Members
Sage McRae Loews Regency San Francisco Hotel [email protected] www.loewshotels.com/regency-san-francisco/meetings/weddings 415.276.9637
Weddings are elevated at Loews Regency San Francisco. We host ceremonies on our 40th floor Sky Deck, the highest outdoor event space in the city. Spectacular views are carried throughout, with elegant ballrooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Our guest rooms are the highest in California!
Southern California Chapter New Members
Nicki Kanne Manhattan Country Club [email protected] Manhattancc.com 310.546.5656 ext 217
Manhattan Beach Country Club offers the flexibility of a major venue with the care and exclusivity of a Private Club in the stylishly renovated facilities.
CHECK OUT WIPA'S RECENT EVENTS!
Atlanta Chapter
The Atlanta WIPA Chapter held our Members Table Fall Luncheon at South City Kitchen Buckhead on November 9th. The food and company were fantastic. It was the perfect way to end the year! Stay tuned for more Member's Only events in the coming year. Thanks to Julie Anne Fine Art Photography for the photos!


Colorado Chapter
The St. Regis Aspen hosted a memorable year end bash for the Colorado WIPA community. Kicking off the night was a Kir Royal cocktail hour with vodka tasting by local Marble Distilling Company. Guests were invited to a presentation by creative business consultant, Sean Low. Sean challenged our group to rethink how we are the sherpas to our clients. How do we help them reach the summit healthy and happy? After we were properly inspired, guests were invited to dinner stations of Togarashi spiked beef, sesame seed crusted halibut and loads of Asian inspired salads and sides. The Jordan Kahn Orchestra of 11 incredible musicians drove up from Dallas to entertain our crew for the evening. They were so good that at the end of the night no one would leave the dance floor. A mild rebellion could have ensued if they hadn’t graciously extended a DJ set :) The creative partners who participated were beyond generous with their products, resources and creativity, and the WIPA Colorado couldn’t be more thankful to them or our quickly growing membership. We are a lucky group of people out here in Colorado.
Brit Bertino President of WIPA was also in attendance to conduct the official swearing in of the Colorado Chapter.
Venue: St. Regis Aspen Photography: Sarah Roshan Planning and Design: Bella Design & Planning Decor: Eclectic Hive Florals: Aspen Branch Linens: Luxe Linens Band: Jordan Kahn Orchestra Stationery: Richard’s Notebook





Southern California Chapter
WIPA SoCal's October 4th event at The Line Hotel featured wonderful autumn inspired florals, aromatic hot coffee, and fabulous desserts. Attendees had the amazing opportunity to learn from Justin Lin of Lin and Jirsa Photography on how he's overcome issues and planned for growth opportunities by scaling his business.
A special thank you to our talented and generous event sponsors: Planning - JESSICA LAUREN EVENTS, Photography - STUDIO EMP, Videography - LIN & JIRSA, Live Music - THE REPLICAS MUSIC, DJ - DUBGYPSY, Rentals - CLASSIC PARTY RENTALS, Rentals - ARCHIVE RENTALS, Linens - GBS LINENS, Dessert - SWEET E'S BAKE SHOP, Coffee - LONGSHOT COFFEE, Stationery - JEN SIMPSON DESIGN, Florals - THE BLOEMIST, Venue - THE LINE HOTEL



Jessica Lauren Events was awarded The Knot Best of Weddings 2017.
Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound was recently a guest on the Timeline Genius Podcast talking about building valuable relationships with vendors. He will also be a guest on Honeybook's educational webinar series on December 14th covering top tech apps in the industry. Check out his recent feature on Bridal Guide here.
Kathy A. Newby, CERP, National Director of Chapter Development for WIPA has accepted the position of Sales Manager with Abbey Party Rents in Daly City, California.
The Styled Bride was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings for their planning of Philadelphia Wedding Magazine's Editor Carrie Denny Whitcraft's NYE celebration.
Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting will be speaking at The Special Event on the topics of Crafting Your Personal Brand as an Event Professional and Work Smarter, Not Harder: Creating New Revenue Streams For Your Event Business. She was also a recent guest on the Timeline Genius Podcast talking about wedding PR do's and dont's and The Photo Spark Show discussing how to get published as a photographer.
LVL Weddings & Events Owner, Lindsay Longacre, will be speaking at the upcoming Inpsire Smart Success Maui on December 6-9 at Montage Kapaula. They were also recently featured on Carats & Cake with a sweet SoCal garden fete as well as a fall-hued styled shoot Inspired by This with The Grovers Photography at The Loft on Pine in Long Beach, Ca.
Vibiana was named the California Wedding Day Best of 2016 Winner for Best LA Indoor Venue! The venue was also featured online at Reverie Gallery for a beautiful, bold wedding and on Style Me Pretty for a modern, gothic wedding inspiration shoot.
Where Will They Stay? is excited to be a new partner with WIPA offering members a 20% commission rate for referral booking. They were also a guest on the Bridechilla Podcast last month discussing the ins and outs of hotel blocks.
Great Officiants has announced that it will be offering free weddings to any couple who feels that their rights may be taken away by the new administration. This includes LGBTQ couples, couples who feel that they may be deported or that their religious views will not be respected by the incoming administration or for any other reason. The weddings will take place on the first three Wednesdays of January, and will be from 3pm to 7pm. They will take place at the Cute Little Chapel in Long Beach. No Appointments will be required but recommended.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Atlanta Chapter
Save the Day! Legendary Events presents Cindy Novotny at Flourish on January 17, 2017. Kick off the new year with a great day of learning!

Phoenix Chapter


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