Wedding Pro News 2011

Hello NW Wed Pro’s!

It’s been a very busy start to the new year for many of you. 2011 started off with a bang. Everyone was gearing up for 2 months of

Bridal Shows, Open Houses and Showcases. It has certainly offered great opportunities to see and visit with all of my favorite wedding vendors though.

January 8^th NW Wedding Scoop in Salem * Jan. 12^th NW Wed Pro meeting at Bell Tower Chapel * Jan. 15-16 Bridal Show at the Convention Center * Jan 21-23 BABC traveling gown sale * Feb. 2^nd Wedding Wednesday at Old Spaghetti Factory * Feb. 3 Pretty In Portland Grand Opening * Feb. 4^th Soiree Grand Opening * Feb. 5^th Vancouver Bridal Show * Feb. 9^th NW Wed Pro at Ambridge Event Center * Feb. 10^th Peter Corvallis Events Open House * Feb. 13^th Persimmon Country Club bridal event *

And last but not least, this Thursday, Feb 17th is the vendor open house for All About I Do wedding services and accessories store in Oregon City!!

This is the time of year to really push to promote your business. This will be the turn- around year for the biz and you’ll want to be on top of the game when that happens.

We had a wonderful networking meeting of the NW Wed Pro network on February 9^th at The Ambridge Event Center on MLK Blvd. in Portland. MacKenzie Bullock hosted and provided a wonderful meal including a chicken & pasta dish, salad, garlic bread and dessert. It was delicious. We filled the room to capacity for this meeting. We had a great educational speaker, Michelle Brubaker, who taught us all the tricks and tips for using FREE optimization on the internet for your website and business. A $20 cash door prize was won by Ryan

Hein of Perfect Memory DJ and a JBLOOMS bouquet was won by Todd of Busy Bee Catering. Our featured vendor was Jessica of JBLOOMS floral. She brought many bouquets in a Valentine theme for us to see.

In attendance was Purple Iris Weddings, Vanessa’s Flower Shop, Duo con Brio, Always Perfect Catering, Born2Dance mobile DJ, Bella Victoria Boutique, Asparro Video, JBLOOMS, Perfect Memory DJ, Canyonview Events, The Grooms List, Unique Weddings & Events, A Breathtaking Moment, All About I Do, Busy Bee Catering, Leach Botanical Gardens, Weddings By Angel, Sarah Galbraith Photography, Mobile Music DJ’s, Wedding Belle Bridal, MichelleBrubaker.com and Radiant Touch Weddings. Thank you for the great showing and be sure to check your listing on www.nwwedpro.com for accuracy and functioning links.

Upcoming Events:

All About I Do wedding services and accessories is having an informational open house for wedding vendors to learn about the partnering opportunities at the store. Display your product & services year round, consultation room to meet with clients, wine tasting bar for the vineyard association, quarterly events of fashion, tasting & trunk shows, and much more. Rsvp today to Pamela Whelden if you would like to attend All About I DO. Thursday Feb. 17^th 5-8pm 1512 Washington St. Oregon City, OR (next to the Abernethy Center and Forte’ Floral) free event, vendor displays, appetizers, wine tasting and by the glass from Santori Vineyards.

Bravo Wedding Affair at Embassy Suites Feb. 20^th, 2011 details

NW Wed Pro meeting is March 9^th, 2011 at The Troutdale House in Troutdale. 6:30pm – 8:30pm $15.00 registration MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Contact Beverly if you would like to be a Featured Vendor. (additional $15.00)

Be sure to always send me email notifications of events you are involved in so that I may list it on NW Wed Pro Events page.

Thank you for being a part of the NW Wed Pro team. Remember, there is NO ANNUAL membership fee. You only pay for meetings that you attend. Bring a guest to a meeting and receive $5 off your admission.

See you soon!

NW Wed Pro Network

Beverly Mason

www.TheRadiantTouch.com

www.nwwedpro.com

www.nwwpnetwork.com

NW Wed Pro launches into 3rd year!

Hello NW Wed Pro’s!

As January has come and gone, we can really feel the wedding season creeping up on us. Are you ready?

Have you prepared yourself and your business to reach all of the prospective brides you would like? Do you have a business plan?

You will want to attend the next Networking meting so that you can say YES to all of these questions. New ideas, new businesses, new contacts and new concepts will be available to you at the meeting being held..

Wednesday February 9^th 6:30 – 8:30pm

Ambridge Event Center

133 NE MLK JR Blvd.

Portland OR 97232

Guest Speaker:

Michelle Brubaker

www.MichelleBrubaker.com

Featured Vendor: JBLOOMS www.JBlooms.com

In other news:

Broetje House is officially closed as a wedding venue. East Fork Estate is no longer in business.

View Point Inn is closed until February 14^th. There was rumor that they had closed down completely but considering they were in the Bridal Show, Bride Magazine and on a billboard recently, I think that the announcement may have been a little premature.

Abernethy Center will be adding an exciting element to their wedding venue and complex.

A historic replica wedding chapel with bell tower and all, that will seat 155 guests and have a full daylight basement, will be constructed this year. October is the projected completion date.

Ainsworth House has begun an expansion project to their conservatory. This will allow for more indoor seating in their beautiful venue.

All About I Do wedding services and accessories is gearing up to open an Oregon City store this Spring. Stay tuned for more news of that!

Weatherfords Grand Lodge and Ballroom has been updating and refurbishing the Bridal room upstairs. A new event coordinator is hard at work making Weatherford's a wonderful wedding venue option for brides.

Wedding Wire has announced the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards. Congratulations to so many of our vendors who have received this honor!

The Gala meeting is scheduled for February 9^th at 4pm in the fireside room of The Governor Hotel. If you are interested in being on a committee for this event, please plan to attend this meeting. Committees are for promotions, charity, décor, food, sponsorships, advertising, entertainment and more. The 2010 Portland Gala was a huge success and we look forward to the 2011 Gala to celebrate with the entire Portland area wedding professionals of each Networking group.

Please RSVP for the NW Wed Pro networking meeting Feb 9^th at the Ambridge Center to bmason@ccwebster.net

Sincerely,

Beverly Mason The Radiant Touch Weddings www.TheRadiantTouch.com

www.nwwedpro.com www.nwwpnetwork.com

video highlights of Bridal Fair 2010 NW Wed Pro

Northwest Wed Pro Bridal Fair Highlights October 2010 from Jim and Jan Asparro on Vimeo.

Wedding Networking 2011

Hello NW Wed Pro’s!

NWWP Network started off the year with the first meeting of 2011. Wednesday January 12^th we met at The Bell Tower Chapel in Boring, OR. It is a beautiful wedding chapel and reception venue. Despite the earlier inclement weather warnings, we still had a great turnout.

The evening opened up with delicious food provided by Busy Bee Catering. They warmed our bellies with Wedding Soup, shaved parmesan cheese, home baked honey wheat bread and a ham & cheese platter. Mmmm, nothing better on a rainy night like we had.

NWWP provided bottles of wine, fruit punch, soda pop and home baked blueberry muffins with cream cheese frosting.

Vanessa’s Flowers presented a table full of beautiful flower & centerpiece arrangements.

After opening announcements from Beverly Mason of The Radiant Touch, our guest speaker was introduced.

Terry Taylor of “Dancing with Cows” gave us proven secrets to maximize your marketing & get more clients with

“How to Make 2011 Your Best Year EVER”. He shared a marketing strategy, outline, tips and more.

Feel free to contact Terry Taylor (email) directly for your own Marketing Analysis. He can also give you additional information on:

• Branding You and Your Company – The EASY way to attracting your perfect client
• · Marketing Boot camp

• · Angus Mastermind Group
• · Marketing/advertising Audit

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Before moving on to round robin introductions, we held door prize drawings. The first lucky winner received a Swiss Gear soft notebook carrying / brief case valued at $65.00. The winner was Lea McWhorter of Sophisticated Beads! Our second door prize of a floral arrangement by Vanessa’s Flowers went to Dave Ott of Born 2 Dance Productions Mobile DJ Service. Congratulations!

If you are interested in being on a committee for the 2011 Portland Gala, the 1^st meeting has been rescheduled to February 9^th, 4:00pm at The Governor Hotel Fireside Room. They will hold it at 4pm instead of 5:30pm so that our Wed Pro members are able to attend both the Gala meeting and the NW Wed Pro Networking meeting at The Ambridge Event Center.

The next NW Wed Pro Networking meeting is scheduled for Wednesday February 9^th, 2011 6:30 – 8:30pm $15 registration

Ambridge Event Center

1333 NE MLK JR. BLVD

Portland, Oregon 97232

Special Guest Speaker: Michelle Brubaker

teaching us how to “Create a Profitable Internet Presence”

In MARCH, the NW Wed Pro Networking meeting is Wednesday March 09^th, 2011 from 6:30 – 8:30pm $15 registration

The Troutdale House

411 E. Historic Columbia River Highway
Troutdale, OR 97060(503) 481-9449

Let’s make this a fantastic new year!! Make an effort to connect and form business relationships with other vendors. Schedule to meet for coffee or lunch. Visit their retail location or studio. See or sample their services. Rather than just giving a card or name as a referral, give your clients more! Tell them what makes that vendor unique and why you recommend them. When the client repeats what you said, that professional is going to remember YOU the next time they give a referral.

Don’t forget the upcoming Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns!!

Portland Double Tree Hotel

1000 NE Multnomah St

Portland Oregon 97232

Fri – Sun January 21^st – 23^rd

Thank you for being a part of the fastest growing wedding professionals network in Oregon.

Be sure to verify your link and information on the website at NW Wed Pro (attend meeting to get listed FREE)

Beverly Mason

The Radiant Touch Weddings www.TheRadiantTouch.com

www.nwwedpro.com www.nwwpnetwork.com

2010 Wedding Season coming to a close

The Northwest wedding season of 2010 came in like a Lamb but went out like a Lion! With a slightly slower start than most seasons, this year brought more late bookings and shorter notice hiring than ever before. An unsure economy may have had something to do with it. But once it got going, it was busier than ever.

NW Wed Pro's shared many referrals within the organization when they (the vendor) were

already booked for the requested

dates. Brides are very grateful when a professional still responds to the request and offers names and contact info of qualified wedding professionals.

In October, NW Wed Pro presented the 2010 "Fall.. in Love" Bridal Fair, hosted by the Pacific Crest Grand Ballroom. The fair filled the 8,000 square feet of elegant space in 3 ballrooms.

Vendors and exhibitors represented just about every single profession in the wedd

ing industry.

The 2pm Fashion Show was filled with gorgeous brides, gowns,

men, flowers, jewelry designs and the hottest hair and makeup trends! Lights

an

d

Music filled the room as each stunning model made her way across the stage and down the catwalk. See video highlights

In November, NW Wed Pro's met for a year end meeting in Oregon City. The group shared stories, ideas, thank you's, and some nice food and drinks.

The grand finale celebration for the wedding industry is scheduled for December 1, 2010 in downtown Portland. Most all of the industry networking groups have collaborated to plan ONE joint holiday celebration. It's called the PORTLAND GALA! The event is hosted by The Governor Hotel with Jake's Catering and sponsored in part by the Portland Spirit. It is open to all wedding & event industry professionals but space is limited. Tickets went on sale this week at www.PortlandGala.com

Thank you EVERYONE that participated in NW Wed Pro Network this 2010. As the

network grows each year, it is ever changing in some ways but also a comfort in the way some things stay the same. It is a pleasure AND honor knowing each and every one of you.

Happy Holidays and See you next year!

Beverly Mason

NW Wed Pro

NWWP Network

Radiant Touch Weddings

NW Wed Pro Bridal Fair October 2010

We are happy to announce that the Bridal Fair is completely booked with 50 the the finest wedding professionals in the Northwest! October 16 - 17, 2010 from 11am to 5pm and a Fashion Show at 2pm daily. This fair will be held at 610 McLoughlin Blvd. in the Pacific Crest Grand Ballroom above the Elks Lodge on Hwy 99E near the beautiful Willamette Falls.

Details about the show can be found at www.NwBridalFair.com and a complete list of vendors.

You will meet and talk with photographers, caterers, planners, officiants, florists, cake decorators, hair stylists, makeup artists, DJ's, musicians, wedding venues, wineries & pubs, Jones Soda, Bridal salons, printers and invitations, Jewelry & accessories and so much more.

The fashion show will feature the work of many professionals in the bridal fair. From attire to floral, hair, makeup and accessories, enjoy the show in the Pacific Ballroom and Bridal Lounge at 2pm.

Admission is only $5 and the Parking is FREE! Tell your friends and relatives about this wonderful event.

"Fall... in Love!" Fall Bridal Fair. Oct 16 & 17, 2010

"Fall.. in Love!" Bridal Fair is brought to you by NW Wed Pro. Hosted by Pacific Crest Grand Ballroom. Sponsored by SunsUp Tanning Centers, Asparro Video, Send Out Cards and Radiant Touch Weddings.

2 days of local wedding professionals exhibiting their talents and products. Over 45 vendors to meet. Plan your entire wedding from start to finish.

Attend the Fashion Show at 2pm each day in the Pacific Ballroom and bridal Lounge.
Wedding gowns, Men's attire, dress fashions and accessories from Bella Victoria Boutique, Mr. Formal, Fashion Bug stores and also Brides Against Breast Cancer with Making Memories Foundation. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Pacific Crest Grand Ballroom is located in beautiful, historic downtown Oregon City between Main Street and Hwy. 99E. While you are down there, visit the wonderful merchants of downtown Oregon City. Have lunch or dinner, browse some shops, enjoy the day at such businesses as The Verdict Bar & Grill, Cypress Oregon City, Pioneer Pub, Mi Famiglia, This-N-That, Winestock, Ruud's Jewelers, Howden Art and much more.

For more information visit www.NwBridalFair.com