We've Moved!

I'm thrilled to announce that Illuminate: the Blog has received a much needed makeover. For all the latest, please visit www.illuminatetheblog.com.

Saving Time as a Wedding Pro: Google Alerts

Part deux of my video series on saving time as a wedding pro begins.. now. Alas, the title still bores me to tears but, like this blog, it's a work in progress.

As you may have seen from my recent post, the one question I seem to get all the time is, "how do you fit everything into one day?" Admittedly, I have my Type A personality to thank in part but there are a wealth of tips and tricks that keep me on task and making the most use of my time.

Today, I'm chatting a bit about Google Alerts, a wonderful and free advice that assists you with tracking mentions of just about anything- from your company, your own name, competitors and colleagues.

Have any tips that keep you on track throughout the day? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Enjoy!

Thanks Kitchen Musings! Illuminate Receives another Shout Out

What a delight to see today's feature on Illuminate: the Workshop by our lovely Sweet Sponsor Veronica of Petites Bouchees.

http://kitchenmusings.com/2010/09/dessert-table-at-illuminate.html

Thanks Veronica!

Until next time,
Meghan

Illuminate: the Recap

What a whirlwind week here in OFD-land. Another successful Illuminate under our belt, a quick dip of the toe back into the wedding world to assist with a friend's Big Day today, and a 4:30am wake up call tomorrow to get myself to the airport for Wedding MBA.

Before I dash, I just had to share some of the great moments captured by Photography by Julie Renee this past Wednesday at Illuminate.

Many thanks again to Maymont for hosting us, as well as IK Catering for serving as our breakfast sponsor. As always, Petites Bouchees was a huge hit with her Dessert Table, knocking the socks off of everyone in the room. Thanks for being our Sweets Sponsor Veronica!

Also- a big thanks to our amazing speakers- Elizabeth Howard with The Cordial Cricket, Brent Petersen of Interview Angel and Shanelle Calvin of Shanelle Calvin Consulting.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Save the Date notice as we firm up plans for Illuminate: the Workshop next Spring in Richmond.

Enjoy!

New Video Series: Saving Time as a Wedding Pro

Admittedly, my video blog series is in dire need of a snappier name, but for now, let's just be excited that I know how to embed videos into my blog, shall we?

I received a great response for my first video blog on the eve of Wedology 101, so I decided to move full steam ahead with the next. But the obvious question came up- what in the world would I talk about?

Then it hit me- it's the question I get asked the most, time and time again. Through high school, college, my life in the wedding industry and now OFD- I constantly get asked the same question.

How in the world do you fit everything in during the day?

I'm no different than most- except for my minor obsession with efficiency since I first "met" Frank Gilbreth in the book Cheaper By the Dozen as a ten year old. A life dedicated to re-evaluating my every move to see where I can save time. Where do I sign up?

So without further ado, I present my video blog- in short, a love letter to RSVPHere.com which has saved me more hours in the last year than I can possibly count. Pay no mind that the still show with the video is my arms waiving about. Apparently I haven't quite mastered embedding video yet.

Enjoy!

Wedding Industry Interns: Let the Circle be Unbroken

I'd like to think that I made a pretty rockin' intern back in the day.

On day 1, I always showed up fresh faced and eager to learn. Grunt work? Menial tasks that no one else wanted? Yes please. I spent my sophomore summer at an unpaid internship with the local United Way and taught myself Quark Xpress and then proceeded to design an entire marketing campaign while my boss was on sabbatical.

After my senior year, I packed two bags and made my way to the Nike World Headquarters (check number one off of the life bucket list) and despite the many generous opportunities they threw my way, I still asked for more work.

What always got me, however, was the general lack of enthusiasm about my presence. People! I wanted to shout, I'm educated, train-able and FREE. Yet I sat there, often underutilized.

So this summer, I decided to make things right and take on the lovely Shelley from JMU as OFD's very first intern. Shelley initially had impressed me by writing me a thoughtful thank you note following my presentation to her PCMA chapter.

I was thrilled- eager to show her the ropes and life beyond the blue stone. She was smart, ready to learn and enthusiastic about the wedding industry. I hearted her on site.

To seal the deal, I asked her to meet me for a final interview one weekend in Richmond. My new office was not quite ready so I selected a restaurant nestled in my neighborhood. Little did I realize we were dining post Monument 10k (non Richmonders: one of the top ten 10ks in the country) and the restaurant was jam packed.

So poor 20 year old Shelley had to interview at the bar. For her very first internship. Lovely.

And thus began the whirlwind summer. Officially going full time. Constantly changing appointments. Stubborn old lap tops. New clients. National accounts. The launch of an inaugural wedding event. Last minute meetings in my car. Networking and impromptu 30 second elevator speeches. Essentially, the life of a small business owner.

Suddenly, my master plan for weekly meetings, inspiring talks- heck an actual schedule, started to slip away. When push came to shove, my clients had to come first. And there Shelley sat- a boat load of potential. Suddenly, I started to sympathize with those who had hired me all of those years ago.

Interns are a wonderful opportunity to grow your wedding business while sharing on the job experience so often needed and appreciated by college students. Working with Shelley has been a rewarding experience and with this summer comes a few lessons for what I'm now affectionately dubbing the OFD Internship Program/Fast Track for Why you May Want to get out of the Wedding Industry.

1) A commitment to organization early on in the process. I fell prey very quickly to the "I'll work on it when I have more time." I would have been far better off by creating a schedule and list of projects as soon as the internship agreement was signed. I have no doubt that I would have been far more likely to stick to it, if it was part of the initial ground work.

2) Embrace the chaos. Those who know me will tell you that I'm a classic Type A personality, down to my color coded excel spreadsheets. Somehow I managed to balance this effectively during my chaotic years in the event industry. Ordered chaos as I liked to call it. When I made the OFD leap, I naturally assumed I had left that behind. Instead, I was able to see through Shelley's eyes that not only had the chaos followed me- it was officially a part of my existence, and I had gotten used to it. My wedding industry clients live in it, so why in the world would my life be any different?

3) Let "it" go. "It" could be a number of things- programs that needed bows, contracts that require creation, you name it. One may assume that I had trouble letting go of every day tasks due to the no so little control freak inside of me. Instead, I had trouble delegating because I didn't want anyone to have to handle the menial every day tasks. It took me all summer but I finally realized that part of the internship experience is giving myself more time to develop my business, while someone else can worry about the program bows. Lesson learned.

So with these new found revelations, I'm excited to welcome Intern Ariana to the OFD family for the Fall semester. I've broken my own "JMU only" rule as Ariana immediately impressed me with our mutual love of PR, mad writing skills and general eagerness to take this industry by storm.

As for my beloved Shelley, we're painting the town red tomorrow with a big thank you dinner and toast (sparkling cider mind you) to her future endeavors, as she makes her way to JMU. And the hope, that if we do find each other down the road, we won't have to interview at a bar.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

Search Engine Optimization and the Wedding Professional Part 2: Guest Post by Alison Wren

Today, we're welcoming back Alison Wren of Wedding Business Success a UK based web site dedicated to educating wedding professionals on sound business practices. In case you missed the first post, Alison is here to share her knowledge on the matter of Search Engine Optimization and Wedding Professionals.

Step 5 – DIY or not?
It is possible to do your own SEO, but you will need to invest a lot of time in:

• learning about SEO
• carrying out the work required
  

Calling in a professional will certainly bring results more quickly so you need to balance the
up-front costs with the benefits they will bring.

My advice would be to find an SEO expert for the initial work – a good one will advise you on what needs to be done and ensure you don’t make any mistakes (doing the wrong thing can result in search engines penalising your website and it disappearing from the results). The best way to find an SEO consultant is through recommendation – sadly there are some people who call themselves experts who are either incompetent at best or worse, unethical. NEVER hire an SEO company who cold calls you – the good ones hardly ever need to advertise.

Step 6 – It’s all about content
Search engines love good, relevant content, and so do other web users. And if you have great content, other sites will link to yours and the search engines will love you even more –simple!

YOU are still the best person to write informed articles for your site, so even if you have hired an SEO expert or already rank well, adding great content to your site regularly is a must.

Top Tips:

• Write for customers, not search engines. Your website still has to convert those visitors into paying customers.
• Use your keywords – make sure your main phrases are on your home page and also your location(s).
• Add a blog to your site – and keep it updated.
• Exchange articles/blog entries with other wedding sites in exchange for links.
• Register your site with Google Places (www.google.com/local)
  

Step 7 – Keep Going
SEO is never finished – it’s an ongoing process of keeping your site updated, monitoring your web traffic and staying ahead of the opposition.

Finally, if you’d like to find out more about SEO there are loads of websites out there. http://www.seomoz.org is a good place to start.

Alison Wren is the editor of Wedding Business Success – a website dedicated to helping wedding businesses start up and grow. She is also the owner of leading UK based DIY wedding stationery specialist The Wedding Crafter which she set up 6 years ago having finally escaped from a career in IT. You can follow Alison on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/alisonpwren

'Twas the Night before Wedology: My First Video Blog

Well it had to happen at some point- I'm going to vlog, although I'm not sure if I can actually say that word without cracking a bit of a smile. It's the night before Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride, so I thought it only made sense to capture the realities of actually planning it. I've always contended that J. Lo and her movie The Wedding Planner never really did justice to the wedding industry. I dare say she didn't start to sweat once in the movie. From tying to bows on programs to emergency kits filled with IB Profin, come see the not so glamorous life of an event planner.

SEO for your Wedding Business Part 1: Guest Post by Alison Wren

When reviewing your overall marketing and sales plan, it's important to keep Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in the forefront of your mine, as your placement on such search engines as Google, may make or break many of your efforts. Today, I'm welcoming Alison Wren of Wedding Business Success, a UK based web site dedicated to educating wedding professionals on sound business practices. Today, we're featuring the first part of a two part series on Search Engine Optimization. And without further ado, here's Alison:

“Page 1 on Google” – it’s the holy grail of most website owners, but how do you get there? Search engines decide who appears where by:

• scanning the contents of web pages (including code which isn’t visible) to determine the subject matter.
• judging how important/popular the site is – generally based on other websites linkingto yours.
  

Search Engine Optimization (or SEO) is all about making sure search engines, like Google, can:

• find your website
• work out what you are offering
• display your site as high as possible on the page when people search for products or services like yours
  

So, if you have a new website, are about to get one or think you could be getting more out of your existing site, how do you ensure you get the best results from Google and the other search engines?

New Website
If you are having a new site developed, make sure it is done with SEO in mind. Discuss SEO with your web developer/designer and make sure they know how to develop search engine friendly websites.

Design and SEO are very different skills so good designers often partner with SEO specialists to ensure your website looks beautiful AND gets lots of visitors. You should still go through the steps below as it’s vital to understand the basics.

Step 1 – Understand the different type of search results
Take a quick look at a Google search results page – the links down the right (and often 2-3 at the top) are sponsored links where the website owner pays Google every time someone clicks on their advert. Google’s pay per click advertising facility is called Adwords and it can be a good way to drive traffic to your website. There may also be shopping links (Google Merchant Centre) and/or local results (Google Places) shown on a map. The rest of the links in the main body of the page are known as the organic search results.

Step 2 – Your Keywords and Phrases
Identify the key phrases your ideal customers are likely to use to find suppliers like yourself. For example “wedding florist Fort Collins”.

For most wedding vendors this is likely to include your location. Make sure you include all areas you cover, particularly if you are in a small town or suburb but near a much larger town.

Check your current position on the main search engines for those key phrases and also your business name. Make a note of who is appearing above you.

Step 3 – Monitor your web traffic
Make sure you have Google Analytics (or a similar website monitoring function) implemented so you can monitor your website visitor numbers (your website developer should have done this).

Step 4 – Assess your current position
Decide what your goals are. For example “ I want my site to appear in the top 5 search results of Google for brides searching for a wedding photographer in Mytown.” How far you are from your goals?

If your site isn’t even appearing when you type your business name, then it’s likely Google isn’t finding your site at all. It’s time to call in professional help.

If you are ranking well for your key phrases and Analytics shows you are receiving good levels of traffic from search engines – congratulations. You shouldn’t need to invest heavily in SEO, but keep monitoring the situation – search engines change their criteria regularly and new competitors start up.

If you are appearing in the search results, but not very high up, then your site will benefit
from SEO.

More from Alison soon!

Alison Wren is the editor of Wedding Business Success – a website dedicated to helping wedding businesses start up and grow. She is also the owner of leading UK based DIY wedding stationery specialist The Wedding Crafter which she set up 6 years ago having finally escaped from a career in IT. You can follow Alison on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/alisonpwren

Bridal Show: What went Wrong (aka an Expose on myself)

The boxes are unpacked and my heels kicked off. I have a lovely centerpiece on my mantel (thanks FloraCulture!) and I've rented some space on our ottoman for my poor feet. The wine is pouring freely and I've got a bottomless glass.

Yes ladies and gentleman, another bridal show has come and gone.

Something you need to know about me- if I've done something wrong, I'm quick to point it out and rather publicly. I'd love to blame it on life long quest to better myself, but I think it really has to do with nine years of Catholic School.

On Sunday, I spent the day at the Wedology 101 booth at the Richmond Bridal Showcase . The brides and caffeine were plentiful despite going head to head with the Carytown Watermelon Festival.

As with any event, I keep a mental list of my personal do's and don'ts throughout the show and quickly run home to take note before I went on my date with my couch.

Let's face it- no one is perfect. I may write up a storm on bridal show marketing, and offer bridal show coaching but even I don't quite cross ever t and dot every i.

So without further ado, here is my self professed list of things I didn't do well, in no particular order:

1) I wore heels, and flip flops. The cement floor is no friend to feet, and I just wasn't wearing my thinking cap the day I packed my shoes. Flats always kill my feet at the show, so I mixed it up. Too bad I forgot that in years past, I normally stood on a rug all day. Ouch.

2) My raffle prizes were Wedology 101 tickets. Although I was pleased with ticket sales for Wedology 101, I do wish we had selected another raffle item for our booth to boost sales further. After all, brides were excited about attending but were then holding their breath on the freebie tickets raffle, which was pulled at 2pm and 4pm. By then, if they didn't win, the momentum was gone.

3) Wedology 101 team signs for our vendors. My partner in crime Jenn and I had distributed Wedology 101 team signs for each of the vendors in the week previous, in hopes they'd be on display at their respective booths. This Sunday, I realized I had broken one of the cardinal rules- always make it super easy on the sponsors. In other words, I should have brought the signs with me to ensure they would be featured in each of the booths.

4) I relied on the kindness of wedding planners- namely, Jenn. The Wedology 101 was okay on its own but only really spruced once Jennifer McBride put the finishing touches on it. Height, fancy pins to hang the banner AND flowers from FloraCulture? Don't mind if I do! If I hadn't had them there, I would rated myself a C+ for style.

5) It was summer and I forgot. I love the Richmond Bridal Showcase because we can set up on Saturday for the Sunday show. I was so pleased with myself to have set up so far in advance- until I showed up the next day and saw that half of my paper signs hanging in the back of the booth with Wedology 101 questions, had curled because of the humidity in the space. I should have put two and two together on that one and set up that portion on Sunday.

6) I didn't have enough lists. I was technically responsible for two entire booths and portions of my clients. I relied too heavily on my memory without writing things down and missed a few items on our Richmond Bridal Association booth. Next time- it's back to the post its and lists for me!

So what did we do well you may ask? I arrived early and with doughnuts. We overstaffed the booth so we were never stretched. I took time to post photos on social media channels throughout the day. We also had plenty of everything- from registration forms to caffeine and granola bars. Everything was easy to break down and because I'm a lucky girl, I had a sympathetic husband and a home cooked meal waiting for me when I got home.

Up next- Wedology 101 next Sunday, August 15. Time to repack the boxes, pick out a new pair of shoes and cork that bottle of wine.

Well, maybe just one more glass.

Cheers,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

Wedology 101: A Love Story

When I got engaged early early last year, I think it came as no surprise that the wedding was planned in about two weeks. Site, vendors, invites? Check, check and double check.

The hubby to be and I breezed through the engagement, throwing in a home purchase, big move and job change in the mix for good measure. I remember thinking to myself- you see, why in the world do people get so stressed out?

That's until, however, Switters peed on the bed.

Who exactly Switters? One of the other loves of my life, except for that day. Two days before the wedding and I've got 30 folks coming to the house in a matter of hours. My family is blowing into town earlier than expected and I, I had a guest bed that had been peed on by Switters.

I panicked. I raced through the grocery store finalizing the evening's meal while cradling the phone on my shoulder telling a client that I simply could not finalize the one final teeny task I had left until now for them. But I do believe I offered to come over with whiskey. And I don't drink whiskey.

I was not handling this well.

After a few deep breaths, a quick run of the scissors across my pillow top to cut (yes, cut) off the top layer, I was in better spirits.

Lesson learned- even the wedding lady gets the crazies.

Wedology 101 has been percolating in my noggin for several years. I've had my fair share of stressed out brides- those who have flipped their lid, burst into tears and yes, even tossed their cookies before being announced into their reception. Each and every time I told myself- there has to be another way to do this.

Thus, Wedology 101 was born and I'm eager for our inaugural event on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings from 1-5pm. I'm joining forces with wedding guru Jennifer McBride to provide an insightful, fun and engaging workshop designed to answer many of the questions that I just don't see covered elsewhere- how to balance planning and family, the dreaded guest list, having a life outside of the plans- things that keep you from ending up in a puddle of tears or offering whiskey to your clients.

I find that the majority of my readers are wedding professionals, so if you have a few booked brides who would benefit from a kick butt afternoon of sanity, swag bags and style, then feel free to send them our way. Better yet- if they visit our registration page (http://wedology101.eventbrite.com/) and enter in the discount code ofdconsulting, they get $5 off the ticket price.

Thanks for your support of our endeavors and hope to see you there!

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

Ready, Set, Bridal Show Season!

Today, I'm going to do something rather unorthodox- I'm going to be brief. This Sunday, August 8, marks the Richmond Bridal Showcase, a bi annual wedding show that swoops into town, sends us brides, and has me relaxing with my feet up and hands around a large glass of wine.

Bridal shows can be a great way to build your business, but it's simply not a a matter of just signing away a check and standing in a booth all day. In fact, it's merely just the beginning. Below is a list of great articles I'm come across that will help guide you as you plan for the show this weekend, and beyond.

First stop- if you haven't done so already, be sure to visit my post at this time last year on Bridal Shows: a Guide for Newbies and Veterans Alike.

Then, grab a cup a coffee and sit back to check out these gems--

Bridal Show Marketing Tips- a series of fabulous articles by one of my favorites
by Shayna Walker Life in Weddings

Trade Show Signage Recommendations
by Andy Ebon of The Wedding Marketing Blog

Vendor Tips for Bridal Shows
by Bridal Tweet

Wedding Fair Return Calculator
by Wedding Business Success

I'd also be remiss if I didn't thank Wedding Business Success for featuring my guest blog today on Partnership Marketing.

Any I missed? Share them in the comments below. Otherwise, I'll see you on Sunday!

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

To be Filed under the "Seriously?" Category: Wedding Venues and the Great Switch Up

From time to time, I dust off my wedding hat and wear it around town- normally to assist a friend with her Big Day. Yesterday was no exception as my friend and I ventured to her reception venue for a walk through and general chat since we were 45 days out from the event.

We had received word that the in house coordinator had left, so naturally, my guard was up, and thank goodness for that. After meeting with a lovely, if not unseasoned, substitute with three (yes, three) weddings under her belt, I wanted to run for the hills. And I'm not even the bride.

Neil Sedaka put it best- breaking up is hard to do, and it's inevitable in the wedding industry. People move, find better jobs, leave the industry- in other words, the circle of (wedding) life. Staff changes, when not handled well, can lead to a major bruises to the overall brand.

So what to do when you find your company in a similar situation? A few rules for the road:

1) Have a strategy, and quick. Assuming the staff member still has two weeks with you, sit down with him and her as well as anyone else who will be involved in the transition. Discuss and implement a communication strategy. Save it for the next time this inevitably happens, to save yourself a little time.

2) Tell everyone. Be honest and make sure every bride hears it directly from you. The worst thing you can do is let the bride discover it on their own. Even worse- on a message board. If possible, have the person leaving call each and every bride over one day. Get them all before word gets out and suddenly you're fielding angry phone calls.

While this is not always feasible, it's certainly the best way to go when you can. I changed venues three times over the years and made it a point to call every single bride and tell them personally. It was never an easy conversation, but they certainly respected me for it.

3) Assign one (not three) staff member to each event for the transition. When we spoke with the coordinator yesterday, we asked who would be our main contact moving forward and we were told to continue to write the general email address, where any one of three people would respond. Naturally, I stepped in at this moment and insisted just one person be our contact .The fact is- staff changes are as stressful on the bride as they are for you. It's always best to give them one, new point of contact so they can feel like they are in good hands.

4) Give the new person time to adjust. Yesterday, we asked who would be on site for the actual event in mid-September. We were then told they'd have someone hired at the end of August. Surely, I said, they wouldn't be the main contact after being on the job for two weeks? My question was met with a hasty answer and some back peddling. Case in point- the newbie has to do their fair amount of time shadowing before throw into the game. Be sure to stress this with your brides.

5) Brag on the newbie. When you have found "the one," be sure to brag on her/him. A happy announcement on your Blog, blast email to the brides- anything to build their credibility, and fast.

Staff changes can be a stress to all and it's easy to get lost in the transition and forget that you potentially have your reputation at stake. With a few handy tricks, you'll come out on the other side with a sea of happy brides.

And if you forget everything else, just remember this- saying you've done three weddings won't even impress the ring bearer.

Until next time,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

New Kid on the Block

I just love surrounding myself with like minded individuals- those who don't call what they do "work" and those who want to better themselves as a business.

Let's be honest- there's nothing more exciting to me than a solid marketing plan and some partnership marketing strategies. Plus it's fun to tell bridezilla stories- preferably with a glass of good wine in hand, and a captivated audience.

This afternoon, I took my usual spin around Facebook and was excited to see the launch of the Community of Charlottesville Wedding and Event Professionals, a new group designed to bring the Charlottesville wedding community together for networking and education.

Despite my hectic schedule and newfound role and responsibilities, my mind started to go into overdrive and I was giddy at the thought of networking more with our friends to the West.

In short, it's an exciting new endeavor and I'm happy to sing Claire and Jessica's praises for bringing a much needed opportunity to a fabulous area.

If you haven't done so already, I'd suggest you take a moment to visit their brand spanking new web site and learn more about their upcoming event on August 18th. I've already signed up to be a member and if you do any business in the Charlottesville, I encourage you to make the same investment.

After all, we're all in this together right? Plus, I've got some wedding stories that pair well with the right Sauvignon Blanc.

More soon,
Meghan



Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

A Little Bit of News

I am a lot of things. Wife. Small business owner. Occasional blogger. Whoopie pie maker.

But, I'm also a caterer at heart.

I was thrilled to hear that the National Association of Catering Executives was forming a chapter in Richmond. Finally, I thought, the often forgotten component of Hospitality gets its own organization. Networking and education customized to fit the needs of event professionals? Don't mind if I do!

So when NACE President Carlos Velez contacted me about the Director of Marketing position, I couldn't say yes fast enough. I'm excited to join an already seasoned Board of local professionals and look forward to spreading the word about this exciting development in Richmond!

And if you haven't done so already, be sure to RSVP for the upcoming Launch party on Wednesday, August 11 at the Westin.

More soon,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

OFD goes National with WedLock Partnership

I'll never forget the first time someone asked me where I advertised my services. The proverbial light bulb went off as I realized that there was literally no publication out there for the wedding industry as whole. Were there cake magazines? Sure. DJ magazines? You bet. But nothing that actually spoke to the Wedding Professional as an industry.

That is, until now.

Coming across WedLock Magazine was a breath of fresh air. After all, I recognize that not everyone can hire me. Currently, Illuminate: the Workshop is available only in Virginia. At the same time, there is still a need for education- tried and true marketing strategies for wedding professionals.

WedLock Magazine offers just that- key strategies, tips and tricks to help you succeed in what is often an oversaturated market. In addition to a monthly magazine, WedLock also offers twice monthly webinars on various topics pertinent to succeeding in the wedding industry.

So what does this have to do with OFD?

Well, a week from today, on Wednesday, July 21, I will be hosting webinar on behalf of WedLock Magazine on one of my favorite topics: Partnership Marketing: Building Business from your Wedding Buddies from 7-9pm. We'll be diving into such ideas as turning your competitors into your sales team, as well as easy strategies to implement into your every day business practices that promise big returns.

It's a thrill, as well as a privilege, as I follow in the steps of such well known industry experts as Sonny Ganguly, CEO of Wedding Wire, and wedding marketing authority Andy Ebon. In the coming months, be sure to keep your eyes out for my article on Wedding PR, which will be featured in the Fall.

Interested in learning more about WedLock and my upcoming webinar? drop me a line at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com.

More soon,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

A Tale of One Hundred Wedding Web Sites

I feel like I've been to the trenches and back.

As I wrapped up a recent client project, I came to the realization that I had just reviewed one hundred wedding web sites.

With the majority from my very own neck of the woods, I feel like I've seen it all- from the snazzy to the pitifully outdated.

Here's the thing- I'm always rejecting my own Blog ideas because it seems like common sense. Of course then I gently remind myself of the time just a month or so ago when my husband had to stop me from removing a piece a toast from the toaster.. with a fork. So alas, not everything deemed common sense to one means it's necessarily common sense to another.

So after my extended tour of the world wide web , I decided to resurrect the idea of blogging about Wedding Site 101.

Below, you'll find a few simply tips and tricks to steer you in the right direction:

1. Add a Bio: Let me know who you are. Brides need to fall in love with your work, as well as you. Build credibility. Show a little personality. After all, you will be spending quite a bit of time together.

2. Photos: On that note, include a professional head shot with your bio. It's far more difficult to say no, when they've got your handsome mug smiling back at you.

3. Testimonials: You rock and hopefully, you've got a drawer full of notes to prove. You can try to dazzle your brides with your photos and impressive credentials, but what they really want to hear is how much other brides have loved you.

4. Stay up to date. In in a similar vein, don't date information like testimonials. You may post a round of kudos from last year's weddings and if you don't touch it again for another year, brides may think that suddenly you've become Mr. or Ms. Unpopular with your current brides. Additionally, if you ran specials for your business last Fall and it's now July, it's time to take a moment to take that down.

5. Press. I'm always surprised when wedding pros don't have a Press page citing media mentions. The wedding market, for the majority, is over saturated and you have to do what you can to stand out from the crowd. If you've been quoted or have had products featured, go ahead and give those PR efforts some extra legs by letting it live on on your web site.

6. Professional Copy. A clear description of your services is paramount. You may have only this one shot at capturing interest and you need to do so in a professional manner. Hire someone to write it for you.

7. Social Media Links. If you're taking the time to put on your social media hat, then make sure brides can find you. Simple widgets will do the trick.

8. Have one. Yes, that's right- have a web site. You'd be surprised how many still don't. Just remember- these brides are more than likely working a million hours a week just like yourselves and will be sneaking in the wedding research during the work day. Having a presence on the world wide web is as necessary as business cards, and swoon worthy linens at a bridal show booth.

The list is truly endless, but the above will certainly get you started. Remember- your web site may very well be a bride's first impression. Make it a good one.

More soon,
Meghan


Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

OFD on Girlfriend We Gotta Talk!

Everyone always makes fun of me for carrying my phone on my hip 24-7 so that I can check my email, but two weeks back, I finally felt vindicated.

I happen to find myself at the fabulous wedding of a client and friend, and my best friend happen to be the event planner at the venue itself, Historic Mankin Mansion.

I was taking the umpteenth photo on my camera of the wedding's loveliness, when I broke my own rule and actually checked my work email while the salads were being served- and thank goodness for that!

It was then I had found out that I had won. I had actually won.

Before I get too far into what I actually one, allow me to let you in a bit- although I have a knack for winning raffles (hello front seats to Rent in NYC for $20!), I haven't won many big things in my life. Yet.

So when I filled out the application for the Best Girlfriends Contest for Richmond based radio show Girlfriend We Gotta Talk, I really didn't give it much thought afterwards. After all the contest, part of a larger month-long celebration commemorating the ladies' second anniversary on the air, was surely

So what is the Best Girlfriends Contest? In short, a chance for friends to share times in which their very best friend has helped them (or each other!) through a difficult time in their lives. My story? Well it's no secret to those close to me that OFD began about two years earlier than expected- when my own decision to change jobs when awry. I was lucky enough to have Mary-Catherine as a support system and shortly after my own difficult time, was able to lend an ear when she came upon a similar situation. The story features beer in my purse and a now infamous midnight trip to Kinko's- what is there not to love?

So back to the wedding reception- I had just received the great news via email and dashed off to share our newfound famous-ness with Mary-Catherine. And we proceeded to do a little jumping dance in the middle of the party.

So you see, sometimes it's okay to check your email all the time. :)

Missed out on the show? Just click here for a listen- we're the first story featured on the June 27th posting.

More soon,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

Illuminate: the Workshop is Back!

This Summer is just flying by and I can't believe it's time to already make this announcement, but here it goes: Illuminate: the Workshop is back!

Last April, I hosted my Illuminate Workshop to a sold out crowd in Richmond, and I couldn't wait to dive in once again. This time, we're bringing in new speakers and are covering topics that are on the minds of many wedding professionals. I surveyed, you responded and I listened, so don't miss out on this Workshop designed specifically with you, the wedding professional, in mind.

Wednesday, September 15, 8:30am-12:30pm
The Garden Hall at Maymont
1700 Hampton Street
Richmond, VA 23220

Topics will include:

Promoting your Wedding Business to Success
Elizabeth Howard, The Cordial Cricket

The Emerging Social Media Crisis:
How to Manage the Risks and Rewards of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
Brent Peterson, Interview Angel

Your Worst Critic: How you get in the Way of your Wedding Business
Shanelle Calvin, Shanelle Calvin Consulting

The State of the Wedding Industry and the 2011 Outlook
Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting & the Richmond Bridal Association

And don't you worry- our ever popular mid-morning Sweet Break is back- thanks to Sweets Sponsor Petites Bouchees!

The early bird rate is only available through August 20, so don't delay! If interested in learning more, please visit HERE.

More soon,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

So Today is a pretty Big Day...

So I did it.

Today, I woke up and started working full time for the toughest, most Type A, organized broad I know.....

Me. Yep, that's right. OFD is open twenty-four hours a day.

For those who may not know, I jumped on the OFD train far sooner than originally anticipated. Yes, I've pretty much had my eye on the self employment prize since Kindergarten, but logic and cash flow statements always made the decisions for me. That is, until I left a rather comfortable job for a promotion elsewhere. Eight weeks later, I found myself sitting on my couch next to be my husband to be and a box of tissues, sniffling that I couldn't stay any longer in my current situation. And I think it was time to start OFD, albeit two years earlier than planned.

As my dear friend Heather said, "Sometimes plans have a way of changing."

So I secured a part time job, and spent every other waking moment as OFD (that is, except those moments I was playing Bride). Before long, the balance became far more difficult. Thankfully, I surrounded myself with my support team, including a string of clients willing to wait until 1:01pm for me each day, and a (now) husband who wins best spouse between the two of us any day of the week.

Then the days ran longer and longer. Suddenly I'm working 1:01pm until 10pm on weekdays plus weekends. I dream about press releases. I have speaking engagements booked here, there and everywhere.

And I knew it was time to make the leap. Truth be known, I could have done this earlier but I turned down investor when it simply wasn't a fit. Lesson learned: the easy path isn't necessarily the right one.

And when the time was finally right, I handed in my notice and parted ways for OFD 24-7. Today, I woke up, threw on something other than a suit (small victory!) and got to work.

The reason I share this on a Blog normally dedicated to wedding marketing and the business development?

Well, it's inspiring darn it.

Seven years ago, I graduated college and decided to spend a year with Americorps, working in the inner city schools of Richmond, despite the naysayers. Don't do it, I heard over and over again from those worried I'd fall behind career wise as I spent a year working with kids for a measly $9,000 a year. But I did it anyway (note photo from my Americorps days), assuming I was competitive enough that I'd catch up in no time.

And here I stand bossing myself around all the live long day. And it rules.

I'd love to hear more inspiring stories from when you made the Big Leap. Feel free to share in the comments below.

More soon,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular column in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Wedology 101: the Reality of Being a Bride.

Valuing Your Wedding Services: Am I Undercutting?

It's my sincere pleasure to welcome my friend and colleague Shayna Walker Weddle, founder of Williamsburg Wedding Design. I enjoy visiting her Wedding Business Blog Life in Weddings, and am thrilled she is guest blogging today about the ever important topic of undervaluing your wedding services.

Take it away Shayna...

Weddings Are Not Snack Foods
Intentional undercutting is a bane on an industry where quality is critical. You can look for the cheapest possible source of tortilla chips at a mega-store because you know that regardless of price, two bags of the identical brand of snack food will taste the same.
Weddings aren’t tortilla chips. Between geographic markets, there are definitely variations in pricing that result from differences in cost of living and overall affluence. Within a market there are starting points in each vendor category that are established based on experience level, time in business and product quality. These are natural variances and are healthy for any market.

However, if you are presumably comparing apples to apples, there should not be ridiculously dramatic differences in rates, and where there are, someone is losing (be it the client, the wedding pro or both).

Do Not Fix Prices
No one can dictate your rates and yes, it’s against the law to make agreements with your competitors to charge the same amount. That’s price-fixing and it’s not okay.

Do Not Undervalue Yourself Either
But it’s not okay to so seriously undervalue yourself or your client that you are charging pennies on the hour either. Sure, you may work a lot, but for what? And how long will you last at rates that don’t produce any kind of measurable profit?

It’s appealing to claim that you have booked 40 weddings in a year – but how appealing is it to work 40 weddings in a year and make only a handful of cash (or maybe even lose money) because your prices are impossibly low?

I’m So Proud! They Chose Me Because I’m Cheap!
And how fulfilling is it to be chosen by clients based on your cheap prices rather than your incredible quality of service?

The Factors that Should Determine Pricing
Prices should be determined based on standard factors including:
• A calculation of how much you want to earn in a year
• The cost to you of the products or services that you sell
• A factor of your overall annual business expenses including marketing, office supplies and labor

• Reasonable adjustments for your experience level and market conditions

You Can Demand Your Value and Still Be Successful
Once you have determined a fair price for your services, your job is to figure out how to educate your consumer. If you are doing that job well, and you are providing excellent service, you should do a happy dance every time someone rejects you based on price. You’ve just weeded out someone who does not value your product the way you do and are one step closer to the happiest possible customer.

You won’t last long in any industry if you undervalue yourself and teach your consumer base to do the same. Establish fair pricing that rewards your standards and reject the temptation to undercut.

Can you do it? If your prices are intentionally low right night to help you boost your sales, can you revisit your value and re-educate your consumer? Tell us in the comments section of this blog post!

Shayna Walker owns Williamsburg Wedding Design. She writes the World According to Weddlady blog, The Williamsburg Wedding Blog and Life in Weddings blog. She publishes the annual Where to Wed bridal guide for Williamsburg, Yorktown, Providence Forge and Newport News. She is also a passionate speaker and educator for the wedding industry, an established professional wedding planner and her most important job: a single mom of twin kindergartners.

Bridal Marketing Boot Camp This Week!

Happy Monday all!

I just wanted to send along this great opportunity, which just came across my desk from Marc McIntosh with Showcase Productions. We are fortunate enough that Marc brings his Boot Camp to the Richmond area as well.

This week, Marc is hosting two free seminars in the DC/MD area and has just a few seats left in each. Please see below for information and email him should you be interested in attending.

More soon!
~Meghan



Discover how to sell BETTER than your competition ...

Bridal Marketing Boot Camp

You’re invited to a FREE seminar sponsored
by the Washington Bridal Showcase

Do you sell to brides? Would you like to sell to more of them?
Are you sure you are getting the most out of the money you spend on advertising?
How can you increase your sales (and your profits) in spite of the economy?

The all new Bridal Marketing Boot Camp is coming to Washington! Invest just two hours of your time (but none of your money, because it’s free) and we will show you how to increase your wedding business ... even in this uncertain economic environment.

At this seminar, you will discover why selling to the bride is different than selling to anyone else. Learn cost-effective ways of reaching the bride and turning her into a valuable customer. We guarantee that you will walk away with dozens of innovative ideas and strategies that you can put to use immediately. These are fresh ideas ... not the tired ones used by your competition!

• Where are the most effective places to advertise? This list is different than it was even a year ago.
• What are the seven myths of selling to brides, and how do they impact your marketing?
• Why are brides ignoring the traditional wedding planning timelines? What does this mean to you?
• How you integrate Facebook, Twitter and You Tube into your marketing program?

Plus, you will learn why bridal shows should be a part of your marketing program. Find out how shows work, why they work and how to make them work for you. Learn the 10 steps that will ensure show success and the 10 things that you must avoid at all costs. Discover how to make your booth do the selling for you, and how to maximize your results both during and after the show.

If you are serious about selling to brides, this will be two hours well spent. Admission is free and there is no obligation. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today!

Two sessions to choose from:

Tuesday, June 15
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, Virginia

Wednesday, June 16
Sheraton Washington North
Beltsville, Maryland

Doors open at 8:30am
Seminar hours 9am - 11am

RSVP Now

Space is limited and advance reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, please reply to this email with your company name, the session you wish to attend and the names of the of attendees. Limit of two attendees per company, please!

Here’s what a previous attendee of this seminar had to say: “This was a well organized presentation, very professional and inspiring, and others would have charged for the same information. The Washington Bridal Showcase gave it away for free. In my opinion, they want to gain your business and your trust by helping you achieve success.”

This seminar is sponsored by the producers of the Washington Bridal Showcase. Each year, our shows are attended by more than 10,000 people representing a combined wedding budget of more than $75 million. Our upcoming shows take place on September 12 at the Dulles Expo Center, September 19 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center and September 26 at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt. On January 16, we debut our newest show at the Washington Convention Center and we return to the Dulles Expo Center on January 30. To receive information about exhibitor opportunities, simply visit our website at:

http://bridalshowcase.com/exhibitoropportunities.html

I hope to see you at the seminar as well as at our show!

Marc McIntosh
Washington Bridal Showcase
marc@bridalshowcase.com
703-425-1127

A Must Read Blog: my Logo-less Friend

We're keeping this short but sweet!

If you haven't done so already, go visit my friend Kara Buntin with A Cake to Remember's Blog.
Yesterday, she wrote an engaging post on how she's survived the last eleven years without a logo.

Kara is one of the most well respected wedding professionals here in Richmond so when she talks, I listen!

It may seem odd to feature someone else's Blog which goes against branding to a degree, but it's important to read beyond that. Kara may not have a shiny new logo, but her quality of product and service speaks for itself. Sometimes it's easy to lose then when you're busy printing all that letterhead.

So without further adieu- Kara!

Until next time,
Meghan

Bridezillas- Spotting them and Learning to Deal

I used to unknowingly have this look I made when the wedding requests from brides went from unreasonable to the far side of absurd in that I'd tilt my and squint my eyes, like I was trying to solve an algorithm in my head.

I finally caught myself doing it after about five years, and it was confirmed rather quickly when I made mention of it to a local wedding planner who had shared more than a handful of brides (and stories!) with me.

Her reply? "Oh yeah. That look? You've been doing that for years."

What can I say? I have a low tolerance for irrationality, and apparently, it shows.

Bridezillas were born the day the first bride-to-be asked for the reception venue to be painted to match her colors. I’d like to think they are few and more between but sadly, one takes up more time, energy and sanity that the rest of your brides in any given season.

Over time, I learned the ways of the Bridezillas- how to spot them, and eventually, how to manage them… even if that meant showing them the door.

First and foremost- learn what kind of bride you work well with, as it will only save you trouble in the end. Sometimes brides aren’t necessarily in the 'zilla category, but if the chemistry isn’t there, it is still going to be a difficult journey.

For me, I tended to attract detail oriented, overworked, Type A personalities such as myself. A personal ad for my type would read as such:

Fun but anal reception venue coordinator seeks brides-to-be with a thirst for fabulously detailed excel spreadsheets and floor length linens. Gals with a vendor list consisting of relatives, or promises of constant battles with mom, need not apply.

Now that’s not to say that I wouldn’t have appointments with brides of every type, but as I became more aware of my preferred bride, I learned to qualify the situation much sooner. While you take the time to learn “your” bride, look for these tell tale signs of a full blown Bridezilla.

When you come into contact with one, stand your ground and offer them alternative options besides hiring you.

Case in point- I took a last minute appointment a couple of years ago with an out of town bride and her mom. They were made very aware that one of the spaces was unavailable since it was being occupied by corporate group. I came armed with a photo album of the space, as well as a detailed description (Square footage! Number of windows! Dance floor dimensions!). At the end of the appointment, I kindly walked them to the exit and bid them farewell.

That is, until I found them sneaking into the forbidden space three minutes later.

The ladies were then quickly walked out of the venue by yours truly with the phone numbers of several nearby competitors…. because suddenly, we were booked solid for their weekend. And their back up weekend. And whatever weekend they hadn’t told me about yet.

Was it a necessary step? Definitely. If one is going to start off their wedding plans in that fashion, then it’s downhill from there.

Sometimes you may not be as lucky, and there are times when one slips by you. Suddenly you’re dedicating half of your work week to either answering hundreds of emails from this one individual, or hiding in your Panic Room, hoping she won’t find you.

Should you end up with a difficult bride, then know your limits. If you can’t meet her exceedingly high expectations, then it’s time to let someone else try. You’ll be amazed at how much time you get back in your day, once you’re not spending it being yelled at over the phone.

I’ve only been removed from one wedding in my life and it stemmed from someone unhappy that I wouldn’t accommodate their request for free pitchers of sodas on their table. Was I bummed that I wasn’t a fit for this couple? Sure. Did I learn to love the extra time I suddenly got back to sell my services, as well as meet the needs of my twenty-five other brides? Absolutely.

Now how do you manage a Bridezilla if you decide to tough it out? With over 700 words in this post already, perhaps I’ll save that for another day.

Ultimately, booking a Bridezilla is a lose-lose situation, but with a little self awareness and firm stance on silliness, perhaps you won’t have to keep stocking that Panic Room with snacks.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group servicing the wedding industry. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular spot on Bridesight TV.

Press Releases 101: How to get your Wedding Business in the News

I didn't think it was possible to squeeze in four years of PR education, and seven years of experience into 20 minutes, but I did it. Impressive for someone who can't explain the last episode of LOST in less than 30.

I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at a Women Entrepreneur's Seminar, hosted by Shanelle Calvin Consulting on the topic of Press Releases this weekend.

I owe my life in PR to a 1996 model computer that spouted out "Public Relations," after I took a, what I'm sure was required, career test in high school

PR? I remember thinking. Don't mind if I do! Not that I had any idea what it actually was, but when I told people I was going to go to college to study it, people were so receptive to the idea that I stuck with it. Even after learning what it meant several years later.

PR is the creation and cultivation of your company's public image (thanks Wikipedia!). One way to self promote? The press release- a short, concise blip about your newsworthy and timely going ons.

I could go on about the inverted pyramid writing structure, but for the sake of brevity (see- I'm trying!), here are a few tips to get you started:

1) Think like the media. Journalists are always on deadline, with very little time to review the potential hundreds of press releases that cross their desk. Keep it short, pack it with details early on, and make sure the title is sexy and attention grabbing.

2) Pick and choose who you send your Press Releases to- If you're writing something about your wedding industry, then no need to send it to every Tom, Dick and Harry (always wanted to use that term!) on your media list. Does it have a small business spin? Then by all means, send it to your business media contacts. But save your buddy over at the Men's Health magazine the time to delete your Release, but not sending it at all.

3) Be reachable- should the release get picked up, make sure you have your proverbial ducks already in a row. Be available to be interviewed and practice what you're going to say. Does your release include other fellow wedding pros? Have their cells at the ready, as well as any other pertinent information that may be requested. It simply doesn't end when you press "send" on your email.

Now that you've got a shiny new press releases, sexy title and all, what do you do with it? Distribution has come a long way in a relatively short time- less than ten years ago, we were still being taught to drop the release in the mail. Thanks to Al Gore's Internet and Twitter, the name of the game is speed. Email continues to be a great way to distribute, although I highly suggest you head on over to PR Pro Steve Mullen's Blog Post on Newswires, to give you a better idea of where to go with it.

So while you may not be winning Pulitzers (yet!), or have statues erected in your honor (mom's wall of grade school trophies doesn't count.. sorry), you may still be doing some really great things. Don't assume that the rest of the world knows and by all means, don't be afraid to broadcast it. After all, when you make it big, those three legged racing trophies might actually be worth something.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing group geared towards wedding professionals. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular spot on Bridesight TV.

OFD is heading to Ireland!

Welp, I'm just going to spill it- OFD is heading to Ireland (if you couldn't gather it from the above subject line)!

I've had the sincere pleasure of getting to know Annie from Aislinn Events, a wedding planner from South West Ireland, through the wonderful world of Social Media.

Recently, Annie asked me if I'd be willing to develop a two day business seminar for the Ireland wedding industry. My only question- where do I sign?

Thus, The Business of Weddings Ireland, was born and will take place this coming November.
We'll be discussing everything from the state of the wedding industry and Social Media, to profiling the Generation Y Bride and Marketing in the Recession.

I'll share more information as we get closer, but in the meantime, had to share this wonderful news before I burst. Many thanks to Annie for the opportunity.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing group geared towards wedding professionals. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular spot on Bridesight TV.

Surrounding yourself by the Right People: An Ode to my Graphic Designer

Ok, I'll admit it- I cheat.

I cheat on my diet (although both Ben and Jerry are partially to blame), and I cheat by reading the last page of most books before I get started. And I may have used FreeTranslation.com every now and then while obtaining my Spanish Minor. A lot.

But do you know who I don't cheat on (besides the obvious- my hubby and hairdresser)- my graphic designer Sarah. No lie- I panic at the thought of having a project and passing it off to someone else.

I'd love to regale you with a very professional story of how Sarah and I connected at some fancy networking event, or through a Fortune 500 CEO. Alas, we met at JMU land, probably over Natural Light.

We shared a mutual friend (Hi Kristin!), and I liked having Sarah around because she's funnier than Bugs Bunny. And she had a great accent (Ohio!). Imagine my delight when I discovered she was a talented son of a gun to boot.

Once we graduated, like any good Generation Yer’s, we became Facebook Friends. I kept tabs on her web site and portfolio and before long, I asked her to design my future hubby and I's LOST/Star Wars/Socks themed moving announcement, followed later by our
wedding monogram. And admittedly, I was hooked on her designs. So when it came time to get the ball rolling with OFD, I sent a panicked email to Sarah that went something like this:

Hi Sarah- so remember that company I was going to start in a couple years? Well I started it.. yesterday. Can you do my logo and business cards and everything? Like really really quickly?

No only did she oblige, but she did so with gusto, offering encouragement along the way. Yes, I needed someone to walk me through the steps of a logo design, but I think I secretly needed someone to think this company was an okay idea.

Since then, she's done all the design work for Illuminate and Wedology 101, as well as worked with some of my trusted colleagues.

My point in gushing about Sarah (who by the way, did not slip me a twenty to do this)?

As a wedding professional, you are more than likely a one man show. From time to time, you're going to have to contract out for work- whether it be bookkeeping, graphic design,
web design or well, me. When doing so, it's important to surround yourself by the right people. Sarah is one of those good eggs that not only has a tremendous sense of style, but takes it ten steps further by advising on local printers (researching for me? Bonus!) and giving it to me straight when something just doesn’t look right.

So in short- if you don't have the right people in your corner, you won't go anywhere.

Don’t settle for someone just because it seems easy. Worse yet- don’t stick with the same person even if he or she is offering sub par work- just because you don’t feel like going through the hiring process again. Trust me- it’s far more difficult to undo the damage of bad work, then to take the time to find the right people to put in your corner.

So take the time to ascertain your needs, interview, check references and, if applicable, review their portfolio. You deserve the best.

My hope is to take Sarah with me wherever I go- book covers for all my future best sellers, thank you notes to my clients when I make my first million (and by thank you cards, I mean boats), invites to my Retirement party (and by Retirement, I mean when I sell my company to Oprah). Good folks like that are few and far between.

Some of you may naturally asking how to check out her work- well here you go (non sponsored overshare!)- http://www.sarahstanitz.com/. Just remember- when Oprah comes calling, I’m going to have to steal her away.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing group geared towards wedding professionals. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, Contributing Writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has a regular spot on Bridesight TV.

Wedology 101- the reveal!

The secret is out.

After months upon months of planning, secret trips to DC and hiding in the corner of Starbucks with laptops and big ideas, the wait is finally over. So what exactly is Wedology 101?

I've never hidden it- I love bridal shows. I love going, I love participating, I love sampling ten kinds of wedding cake. I love bridal magazines- I love the pretty dresses and the content, especially when local.

I've always felt there was a missing link, however. As a bride, it's great to meet fabulous vendors and learn how things can look lovely. But how do you survive it all?

How do you plan seating arrangements when families don't get along? How do you deal with a bridesmaid that wants to wear a cardigan to cover her dress? How do you register when you've lived with someone and already have the essentials?

Thus, Wedology 101 was born over coffee with Jennifer McBride of McBride Events. Between the two of us, we've seen 700 weddings. We may not have seen everything, but we've certainly come darn close.

Wedology 101 is every phone I've ever gotten from my friends at odd hours, about how not to offend families with their invitation wording. It's the times I've had to hand tissues to friends when their wedding parties refuse to play nice.

Specifically, Wedology 101 is an interactive and fun seminar hosted by Jenn and myself. Our plan is to take the stress out of wedding plan by talking about the realities of being a bride.

The fabulous Wyndham Virginia Crossings has agreed to partner with us and host our inaugural event on Sunday, August 15. As you may have seen, Celebrations in the Richmond Times Dispatch is now featuring our monthly column- and there's more where that came from! But you didn't think I was going to reveal all of it in just one blog did you?

So far, the response from the wedding industry locally has been nothing short of amazing- apparently we're not the only ones who see a need for this.

What's next? Jenn and I just put the finishing touches on our next article. The blog will be rolling out soon and behind the scenes, we're working fast and furious to put together quite the event.

Have a bride who may benefit? Ticket sales will begin shortly, and we'll be sure to announce it when it does.

Interested in getting involved? Email me at meghan {at} ofdconsulting {dot} com for more information.

Until next time,
Meghan

Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing group geared towards wedding professionals. She is also the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association, and has a regular spot on Bridesight TV.