Mark your Calendars Wedding Pros!

As I've said before, education is an essential component to improving your craft. I've had the privilege of attending many wonderful seminars and workshops over the years, but always found myself frustrated with the lack of cost effective opportunities for those in the wedding profession.

So it is, with great pleasure, that I share with you the first in what I hope to be a series of workshops with YOU, the wedding professional, in mind.

And without any further ado, allow me to present-

Illuminate: The Workshop

April 14, 8:30am-12:30pm
The Kent Valentine House; Richmond, Virginia

Customer Service and the Bride
Jim "JB" Bostic, Choice Entertainment

Wedding PR: Getting noticed by Bridal Publications
Sarah McDonald, former Managing Editor of Richmond Bride Magazine

Networking Tactics to Get Ahead
Betsy Mangum, Ignite Speed Networking

Why the Vendor Sitting Next to you may be your Next Big Piece of Business
Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting & the Richmond Bridal Association

The early bird rate is only available through March 15, so don't delay!
http://illuminaterichmond.eventbrite.com/

This event is sponsored in part by The Kent Valentine House and Cateraide.

Learn a little more about our speakers

Betsy Mangum has more than 10 years experience in teaching, training and customer relations. After graduating from James Madison University and teaching in Maryland, North Carolina and New York City, Betsy realized that being a teacher wasn’t the perfect fit. She moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned a Master of Art Education. A JMU connection got her a position with the Greater Richmond Chamber where her teaching background helped her transition from teaching students to educating business people about networking. Betsy enjoyed the challenge of working with entrepreneurs, small business owners and CEO’s and spent 6 years in the membership department. Currently the Director of Pyrotechnics for Ignite Speed Networking, she enjoys creating sparks for associations and businesses, while avoiding any serious fireworks.

Richmond staple Sarah K. McDonald, a VCU mass communications graduate, was an associate editor with Richmond Magazine for more than four years. For a portion of that time she was managing editor of the twice-annual publication Richmond Bride magazine, where she did everything from cover a Hindu wedding complete with an elephant to wrangle celebrities for the successful bridal show An Artful Wedding. Today she is a freelance writer, proofreader and book editor as well as a stay-at-home mom to a 2-year-old.

An accomplished and well respected DJ, JB Bostic has entertained at virtually every type of event one can imagine for 20 years. His warm personality, vast knowledge of music, and fine-tuned attention to detail ensure brides and grooms are getting a consummate entertainer for their special occasion. He is Membership Director of the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Planners International, where he has received both the Rising Star Award and Supplier of the Year Award. He is also Vice President of the American Disc Jockey Association, Richmond Chapter. JB books exclusively through Choice Entertainment.

Owner of niche Marketing/PR firm OFD Consulting, Meghan Ely, a James Madison University graduate, began her career with the non profit Maymont Foundation, where she steadily increased sales through partnership marketing, while also re-entering the company into the bridal show market after a ten year absence. Meghan then moved to Richmond Country Club, where she designed and implemented the Club's first Banquet Marketing Plan. She has spent the majority of her career with the five star, five diamond Jefferson Hotel, where she consulted with the Marketing Team as to its placement in the Bridal Market. Meghan served as the first Public Relations Chair for the Richmond Bridal Association and more recently as their Membership Director. In Fall 2009, OFD Consulting took over management of RBA, with Meghan as its Managing Director. Meghan can also be seen as one of the co-hosts of Bridesight TV, Richmond's only local web cast show devoted to the Richmond bride. She is a contributing writer to Virginia Bride Magazine and has been published in Premier Bride Magazine.

The rest is magic...

I start with a quote today by one of my new favorites Casey Bunn with http://www.rsvphere.com/, who first made the introduction between myself and the lovely bride and groom, and their families. A flurry of emails have passed through my inbox today and the title of this Blog is Casey's sentiment, which sums up yesterday quite nicely.

If you asked me my favorite part of yesterday, I'd be hard to pick just one. Perhaps it was walking into the Mill at Fine Creek (http://www.themillatfinecreek.com/) and finding owner Lisa Benusa and her staff happily buzzing around the kitchen readying for the Big Day.

Although I think it's safe to say that any time I bumped into one of my wedding vendor colleagues, it put a big grin on my face.

It may have also been when I finally was introduced to the Mother of the Bride, when I became the receiver of the world's biggest hug.

I most certainly can't forget the moment I stood waiting with the Bride just before she walked down the aisle with her dad. I'm proud to say I was the last to see her before she became a Mrs.

Ultimately the best part, for me, had to be after I kicked off my shoes and found refuge on my couch after a busy evening of manning the kids room at the event. The bride and her mom had given me a present early on in the day, and I finally had a moment to open it. It was a beautiful silver globe that said "Thank you for making my dreams come true."

So that, my friends, is my favorite part of the day.

Below, you'll find several wedding moments, captured by the unbelievably talented Meghan McSweeney (www.meghanmcsweeney.com). Stay tuned for next Sunday's Celebrations section in the Richmond Times Dispatch, for more wedding loveliness.

It was, very simply, Magic.

Enjoy,
Meghan

Credits
Reception Site: The Mill at Fine Creek (http://www.themillatfinecreek.com/)
Wedding Cake: A Cake to Remember (http://www.acaketoremember.com/)
Groom's Cake: Cakes by Graham (http://www.cakesbygraham.com/)
Photographs: Meghan McSweeney Photography (http://www.meghanmcsweeney.com/)

The Big Day

How quickly time flies when you're throwing together a wedding in less than 3 weeks!

The day is come and I couldn't be more thrilled to be heading out shortly to the wedding of Kayleigh and Brian.

For those who haven't caught up with us yet, I would encourage you to read the story of this couple and the wedding industry that came together to help, which was featured in Style Weekly's Richmond Giving this past week- http://www.styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&type=gen&mod=Core+Pages&gid=E55A4CEBBCC24496B3E8E0D61F770CBB

My thank yous are extensive, but no less sincere. I have been grateful (although not entirely surprised!) by all the amazing people who have reached out to help make today the very best for this deserving couple.

Below, you'll find a list of all those who have offered to assist with the wedding. While we could not utilize everyone, we are grateful nonetheless. If I have missed anyone, it was simply in error so please contact me ASAP so I may revise the list.

A Cake to Remember
Amanda Anthony Photographs
avenue 42 designs
B. Meredith Winn
Jennifer MacKenzie Baker
By Invitation Only
Cakes by Graham
Carrie Bishop
CCS Events
Champagne Taste Catering
Choice Entertainment
Classic Party Rentals
Clover Forest
Christy Cook
Dawn Easters Event
DeRochennet
Travis Ely
Flora Culture
Flower Girls
Flowers Make Scents
Freeze Frame Photobooths
Gregory Studley
Groovin Gourmets
Guestroom Media Productions
Historic Mankin Mansion
James Limousine
Kate Jarrell
The Jefferson Hotel
LK Events & Design
Rian Mayadag
McBride Events
Meghan McSweeney
Mike Topham Photograph
Monkey Grass
The Mill at Fine Creek
Party Perfect
Planning with Excellence
PW Photography
Quarterman Photography
RD Berrie
Richmond Country Club
Richmond Times Dispatch/Celebrations
River City Bean Company
RSVPHERE.com
Heather Sniffin
The Soaring Chef
Weddings by Naomi
Weddings by Windy
Williamsburg Wedding Design

RBA Annual Open House

I'm pleased to announce that we have finalized plans for our Annual Richmond Bridal Association Open House, which will take place March 10 at the Crowne Plaza Downtown.

As many may know, I took over management of RBA last fall. It's been a wonderful journey thus far and I am most excited to share the fantastic things we have in store for our membership in 2010 and beyond.

The Open House is a great way to not only get to know us, but tell us about yourselves! The event takes place from 6-8pm and there will be an opportunity for you to speak about your business.

The Richmond Bridal Association is our area's only local professional member only organization dedicated to our wedding industry profession. We value education, networking with our peers and promoting our businesses to brides. We are also an advocate for the industry and have many wonderful sponsors who work with us to make that happen.

If interested in checking us out, please feel free to email. The deadline to RSVP is March 1.

Until next time,
Meghan

meghan@ofdconsulting.com

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.

Thanks Life in Weddings! What to do when a Bridal Show Flops

The lovely Shayna Walker with Life in Weddings asked me to be a guest blogger on her site http://www.lifeinweddings.com/. Shayna and I share many similar thoughts on the Wedding Industry so it was a pleasure to team up with her on the subject of bridal shows and what to do when you think your participation in one was a flop.

To check it out, please visit:

http://www.lifeinweddings.com/2010/02/its-not-you-its-me-what-to-do-when-a-bridal-show-flops.html

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.

Project Wedding- an Update! The Richmond Wedding Community Joins Forces

What a week- I can hardly catch my breath or stop smiling.

To catch those up who may have not read my last post, I had caught wind of a story of a local bride and groom facing terminal illness and a short time to put together a wedding for 150+ people. The mass email to my wedding industry network went out Tuesday afternoon and before you knew it, my inbox and voicemail were flooded with those who wanted to help.

Suddenly I felt like Santa Claus, calling the Mother of the Bride (and often!) to share with her the awesome response and amazing vendors who are pitching in for what I have affectionately dubbed Project Wedding, on February 21.

I've had many people ask me to keep them up on the latest so in attempt to reach the masses, I thought I'd update everyone on my Blog.

Where to begin?

No sooner had I sent the email, and I had received an email from Lisa Bemusa, owner of the lovely Mill at Fine Creek (http://www.themillatfinecreek.com/) who has graciously offered to host both the ceremony and reception. Party Perfect (http://www.partyperfect.com/) and Classic Party Rentals (http://www.classicpartyrentalsva.com/) has offered to donate any and all rentals needed for decor, while Champagne Taste Catering (http://www.champagnetastecatering.com/) instantly donated their services.

Another one of my first emails was from Monica with By Invitation Only (www.gobyinvitationonly.com), who offered several of her wonderful products. PhotographersMeghan McSweeney (http://www.meghanmcsweeney.com/) quickly offered her services along with Micah Berry, videographer with Guestroom Media Productions (http://www.guestroommediaproductions.com/). Icing on the cake came in the form of a complimentary Photo Booth from Lisa Ann Setchel with Freeze Frame Photo Booth (http://www.freezeframephotobooth.com/).

I've also received notes from those who heard of our story from others- Natalie with avenue 42 designs (http://www.ave42.com/) has offered her make up artistry services.

Speaking of cake, there is plenty! Kara Buntin with A Cake to Remember (http://www.acaketoremember.com/) will be taking care of the wedding cake with Graham Haddock from Cakes by Graham making the Groom's Cake (http://www.cakesbygraham.com/).

If that wasn't enough on the sweets front, Pat with River City Bean Company (http://www.rivercitybean.com/) and Jeanne-Louise Womble with de Rochonnet delights Chocolatier (http://www.derochonnetdelights.com/) will be handling the favors.

When the couple was in need of an officiant, I looked no further than Mr. Meredith Winn, a staple at many of my weddings over the years (www.goingtogetmarried.com/officiant).

I am overwhelmed by the number of wedding planners who have come to our rescue. While we will have many wonderful ladies on hand the day of the event, I did select Lindsay with LK Events and Design (http://www.lkeventsanddesign.com/) as the lead planner to help pull this together in such a short time.

We've also seen a joint effort in the florist community- with assistance offered by Floraculture (http://www.floracultureonline.com/), Flowers Make Scents (http://www.flowersmakescents.com/) and Flower Girls (http://www.flowergirlsinc.com/).

My post is becoming a virtual "Who's Who" of Richmond Wedding Vendors and you'll have to forgive me- I am just thrilled to have such great people on board and wanted to make sure to give credit where credit is due.

Up next- more planning as we go full steam ahead into the Big Day. Many have asked what they can do to help and as I've told others, we would certainly appreciate anyone who can lend a hand the weekend of the wedding- I'd love to try and offset some of the labor costs for our vendors if possible.

Also- Catering. While Lisa and Whitney have both been extremely generous in donating food, I'd be thrilled if I could also offset these costs with other Caterers perhaps willing to donate a tray or two of food.

Above all, I am grateful for the kindness showed to this family in the last week, and can't wait for February 21 to arrive.

My cup runneth over.

Until next time,
Meghan

http://www.ofdconsulting.com/

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.

Coming Together for a Good Cause

Let's face it- life isn't easy.

Whether we're dealing with the recession, personal issues or just a bad day, sometimes life hits you hard. Then, you come upon another person's story, and you suddenly become grateful for all that you have.

This very thing happened to me Monday night as a colleague shared the tale of a local Richmond bride and groom faced with the very worst- so very little time together.

It doesn't matter who they are specifically but the story is this- the couple have been together for years and the groom is faced with a rare form of cancer. They just learned that he has 6-8 months to live so they've moved the wedding up to this month.

We all know how much weddings can cost-- and why many of us wait and save as much as we can. Well time isn't a luxury in this instance.

So it was time to step up. After all, I have the pleasure of knowing so many great wedding people. So I wrote to the masses- my colleagues, my association members, my friends.

Thus far, the response has been amazing- from cakes to photography, receptions, minister, invitation shops, you name it. Everyone has been willing to assist this couple, whose wedding date is fast approaching on February 21. There is a reason I'm in the industry that I am and if today just deepened my gratitude either further. As I collect the names, I will gladly post and give kudos to these generous, wonderful people.

We still, however, need help- whether it be labor the weekend of, or food to help feed the approximately (150) guests. No offer is too small, and know that those involved are most appreciative.

As I noted in my initial email to my vendor friends, I'm not wearing my OFD hat or my RBA hat today. I'm simply reaching out to my readers as a friend and a colleague. This family did not ask for our help, but only one question remains- how can we not?

If you want to help- feel free to email me meghan@ofdconsulting.com or on Twitter @ofdconsulting.

If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day.
~Alex Noble


Until next time,
Meghan

meghan@ofdconsulting.com

http://www.ofdconsulting.com/

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.