“Going to the chapel and we’re going to get married….” Yes, it is bridal season and wedding dreams are in the air. On January 24, I had the pleasure to interview Deborah Moody, Executive Director of the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants. She shared with our listeners “What It Takes To Be a Wedding Consultant.”
This is wedding season. Multiple celebrities have announced their engagements and there are hundreds of bridal shows scheduled over the coming months. If you have ever dreamed of coordinating weddings or are a bride and simply want to understand what it takes to work with a consultant, our interview today outlined the role of a wedding consultant as well as how a bride can best work with a Wedding Consultant.
What does it take to 
be a wedding consultant? First, if you are considering becoming a wedding consultant you should have these key personality characteristics: Excellent communicator and listener, organized, detail oriented, creative – being able to bring the brides vision to fruition, have a calm, and patience demeanor, willingness to create your own “style,” be a team leader and team player, and be assertive, but not aggressive.
Second, it is important to be professionally trained to become a Certified Wedding Consultant. In order to achieve this you need training, education, knowledge that can only be gained through approved wedding certification programs, like the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants.
What are Deborah’s secrets to being the best Certified Wedding Consultant?
1. Knowing that you don’t have to work with every bride that comes to you – knowing its ok to say no to a bride. This first secret is key. It is best when a consultant and a bride have a good connection from the start. You will be working together for up to a year, possibly longer while preparing for the wedding and you want to start off with a similar ideology.
2. Having clear expectations of yourself and your bride’s responsibilities. Clearly communicating what you will be doing for the bride, what the bride will be expected to providing to you and when (such as contracts vendor’s contact information), and having what you need to be sure the wedding is successful.
3. Staying on top of trends. The industry is fluid and trends occur that will affect different elements of a wedding, such as a color trend or theme. It is essential that wedding consultants continue their education every year to stay abreast of what is happening in the industry. Brides are savvy and they expect consultants to know what’s in and what’s not.
4. Develop your own creative style. There are many well known wedding consultants, like Sasha Souza or Preston Bailey that have created their own style. Rather than copy their ideas and mimic what others are doing, stand out and be yourself, create your own “signature style.” Only you can do you.
5. Know your worth and charge accordingly – realize your value by knowing what your experience level is, education, and knowledge is of the wedding industry, your special talents, years of expertise and your “signature style.” When you stand out and recognize your value and charge what you are worth, you will attract your ideal clients.
6. Have an escape clause established in your consulting contract. There may be a time when, for whatever reason, you feel it is best to part ways with a bride, rather than face a potential lawsuit.
In our discussion today we talked about how much wedding consultants charge for their services. It is quite clear that the price is dependent on several key factors: the region one chooses to get married in, location of the wedding (hotel, backyard, winery, etc.), expertise, skill set and experience of consultant, size of wedding, cultural standards for a wedding, if it is full-service consulting or Wedding Day Management, and much more. The best advice for a bride is to interview several consultants and select the one that best aligns with your ideology. Present the same requirements for what you want in your wedding to each consultant.
Another valuable fact about being a wedding consultant is that the business is portable. It means you can set up your business anywhere. This makes it ideal for military personnel and families. If you are in a job transition or have a job transfer you can easily more your wedding business to other areas. It is a great career for stay-at-home moms as well as those transitioning into retirement.
If you’ve ever dreamed of coordinating weddings for a career, full or part-time, or if you are a bride looking for a professionally trained Certified Wedding Consultant, the ACPWC, Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, can help you.
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Wedding Consultant
Check out: The ACPWC live course offering February 27-March 2 or home-study programs.
Contact Deborah Moody at the ACPWC (Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants) 408-227-2792 or visit www.acpwc.com
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Bonnie Marie Kuhn
Bonnie Marie Coaching, Solo Pro Radio Host, Every Tuesday 10-11am (pst)
www.bonniemariecoaching.com
My guest is Eileen Wilkinson, Director of Marketing at Comfort Keepers in Fairfax, Virginia, which provides services to keep people independent in their homes such as: meal preparation, transportation, stimulating activities, range of motion exercises, personal care, bathing and home safety technology services. Eileen considers herself a student of navigating the joys and challenges of changing needs.
Show Notes 23 January 2012:
Monday Edition of Solo Pro Radio: Selling With Spirit Radio Hour with Tshombe Brown
Happy Lunar New Year, Year of the Dragon! It’s the first New Moon of the year. Lots of powerful energy & another opportunity to set BIG, powerful & inspiring goals.
What is a Big Goal?
Definition of a goal: something you don’t yet believe (otherwise would have it now); something that scares you a little.
What gets in the way of setting and/or achieving?
People often afraid of making big goals or voicing to others what they are for fear of failure or looking foolish.
Tips:
- Declare goals to those who you know will be supportive
- “Lean into the fear”
- Be gentle with yourself
Women in particular can be challenged to dream BIG or set big goals.
- Who am I to do this? How will I be perceived?
- Strong, assertive women called the “B-word”
- Societal conditioning of what it means to be a ‘Good Girl’ inhibits full self-expression & stretching outside what’s considered good, proper, correct.”
- Getting too big for your britches” not ladylike
First step: Realize the conditioning and stories that are driving the bus
When set goals whatever they are, get clear about both the supporting beliefs around the goal AND the beliefs that could sabotage you.
Empowered Manifestor Formula:
- Write an agreement/partnership letter with God, Source, Higher Power, The Universe, or whatever you want to call it.
- Focus/Manage your energy: “Clean up as you go”
- Use focused energy in the Goal Setting Process
How to get additional support:
Rachel Whalley’s upcoming live event in the Seattle Area:
“Playing Outside the Box: Using Constellations to Explore Personality,” an interactive workshop using movement and the Enneagram to understand yourself and your motivations
Learn more at:
http://playingoutsidethebox-estw.eventbrite.com
http://www.facebook.com/FogToFire#!/rachelwhalley
http://fogtofire.com/
Sharon Wilson’s Free Gifts:
- View a short 15-minute video on how to be more effective in manifesting:
http://CoachingFromSpirit.com/tshombe
- Enter to win a coaching session with Sharon valued at $1500 to help you to increase your sales and confidence:
In our country, we are blessed to have a 15-yr. breast cancer survival rate of 77%. Other countries are not so fortunate. The women in Africa need our help. Juliet Aguwa (a breast cancer survivor from Nigeria) founded Courage to Dare. Their challenges: 1) In Africa breast cancer is a “curse from God”; 2) No screening; and 3) Lack of affordable (in some cases humane) treatment. If you missed yesterday’s 5:00 p.m. show, you won’t want to miss this shocking rebroadcast!
Tuesday, January 28 10-11am – Want to be Bridal Consultant? Listen to interview with Deborah Moody, Executive Director of ACPWC – Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants 
Deborah began her wedding planning career in 1995, after completing her training through the ACPWC. She immediately joined the Association where she served as the Chairperson for several years, before talking over as director, 3 years ago. Since assuming the position she has moved the association forward in its thinking and processing. Deborah continues to challenge herself and her members with business improvements and self development through education and training.
As a result of her untiring dedication to the Association, she was presented with “Spirit Award”, received by a select few. Deborah has represented the ACPWC at the Wedding MBA, in Las Vegas, NV, in Ireland at the Limerick Bridal show, and she has also spoken at the International Bridal Expo in Beijing China.
Having studied business at San Jose University, Deborah combined her business and wedding skills and attained the title of “Certified Wedding Consultant”, the highest level of achievement given in the industry. She has been acknowledged in the Cambridge Who’s Who for leadership and achievement in her profession.
Deborah has been quoted in Black Enterprise, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Perspective Newsletter, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She had written articles for wedding publications including, WedLock Magazine, Sophisticated Groom, Serendipity, and California South Asian Bride. She was also a guest on the KDOW radio -Business on the Edge segment.
Founded in 1990, the ACPWC is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of quality, professionalism, service, and integrity. Dedicated to the ACPWC, its goals, professionalism and standard of excellence, Deborah continues the legacy that was started 21 years ago by Founder and former Director, Ann Nola.
Deborah Moody , Executive Director
Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants
www.acpwc.com
WE ARE ONE WORLD
Juliet Aguwa (a breast cancer survivor from Nigeria) founded a charity called Courage to Dare. Their mission is to assist African women with breast cancer. The challenges: 1) Their culture considers cancer a “curse from God”; 2) No screening; and 3) Lack of affordable treatment (even if they start treatment, they often die because they cannot continue it). On Monday, January 23rd, Cancer S.O.S. will be broadcast live at 2:00 p.m. EST and again at 5:00 p.m. EST from Wisconsin (Juliet’s home base) on www.W4WN.com. Along with me, you will be able to hear the emotion of the stories and interviews of women who have survived against unbelievable odds.
Fascinate. Educate. Motivate.
It’s the FEM Factor, and you get it weekdays on Susan Rich Talks.
Susan Rich, the get-you-noticed-now marketing pro and journalist-blogger, talks daily on internet radio station w4wn.com.
Join her 8 am PT / 11 am ET every weekday morning for your daily dose of the FEM factor: Fascinate. Educate. Motivate.
For the week of January 23:
- Monday: Living the Writing Life – We’ll be talking with Charmaine Hammond, author of On Toby’s Terms. Also: Writing prompt for prizes. Write, win, get published.
- Tuesday: Rich & Gluten-Free – Author Susan Ingebretson talks about FibroWHYalgia, and shares her recovery from baffling disease.
- Wednesday: Love & Lifestyle – We’ll re-broadcast last week’s show: Taffy Wagner, Ph.d talks about finances both at the end of life and when you’re about to get married; Cheese Impresario Barrie Lynn talks about the cheese highway.
- Thursday: Your Marketing Plan – Caterina Rando shares tips on how to become a sought-after public speaker. Also: call in for your mini marketing makeover – host Susan Rich offers free, get-you-noticed-NOW marketing strategies.
- Friday: Potpourri + Retro Kitchen with co-host Annemarie Schuetz – Little House on the Prairie meets modern day living. Inspirational speaker Mark Black talks about his amazing recovery from transplant surgery.
All shows 8 am PT/ 11 am ET on the All Women’s Radio Network, w4wn.com.
Call in: 561.422.4365
Skype: w4wnradio
Why is it challenging to dream BIG when going for your sales goals?
- Do YOU set high (enough) sales and marketing goals for yourself? Do you really?
- If not, why not?
- Or, are your goals always what you know you can reach?
- What can we do to not only set BIG, inspiring goals, but actually realize them?
Join me as I interview Seattle-based psychotherapist & healer, Rachel Whalley of Healing For Good Girls and Certified Spiritual Counselor, Master Certified Coach, & founder of the Coaching From Spirit Institute, Sharon Wilson about why people have a hard time setting big goals and dreaming BIG even when they want to.
More than that, the duo will share strategies and tips for you to breakthrough roadblocks and step into a new reality of your own making both in sales and anything else you can imagine for yourself.
Tune in to the Monday Edition of Solo Pro Radio on January 23, 2012 with your host of the Selling With Spirit Radio Hour, Tshombe Brown: 10 AM Pacific / 1 Pm Eastern on the Women for Women Network.
Rebecca Cagle is an expert on chemo brain. She is also the victim. It started after she took several chemo drugs (one called the “Red Devil”) as well as steroids and other meds to combat bad reactions. Although the chemo brain has gradually gotten better, she still has problems. She says, “People will ask me questions and I will give them the wrong answer and do not figure it out until later. People do not get it.” We are going to start the week with a doctor discussing chemo brain, and end it with one incredible lady that has persevered through it to become a certified cancer Hope Coach. Rebecca, you inspire me!
Two-time Emmy nominated producer/writer Glenda Shaw began her media career in traditional network television. Then transitions to radio and internet video because of the interactivity was so powerful. In today’s Solo Pro Radio show, Glenda shares a wealth of tips for the Solo Pro to start using video to grow their business. Here are a few of the golden nuggets that she shared:
Messaging and style is essential. Be unique, authentic and true to yourself. Speak directly to your ideal client. Here are a few examples that she used:
IKEA uses funny videos. They cost lots of money to product but there are some great ideas that the Solo Pro can use in their own lower-budget videos.
Gary Venderchuk shares his passion about wine; not a lot of production but plenty of personality. He also was able to re-purpose his video expertise into books and workshops.
Michelle Fan is a young make up expert that uses videos to share how-to tips. The focus is more on how to do something rather than on her personally.
How to’s and funny vidoes get the most hits, but Glenda warns to be careful using your product. Don’t turn your video into an infomercial. That turns people off.
Here are the three main segments of creating your video that Glenda suggests paying special attention to:
- Pre-production: Spend the bulk of your time on planning, story boarding, doing a few focus groups to be sure your idea works. Set up your videographers ahead of time and make sure they know exactly what you’re trying to do. Map out your where and who. Be sure to have plenty of release forms ready for any on-camera people you use – like testimonials.
- Production Day: Have food and water available. A happy set and happy content make for a happy video. Be very organized. Have a timeline check list so that everything is staged and ready to go.
- Post Production: If you’re using an editor, be sure to set up a clear deadline. You can use a student editor from a local collage program to save money but see samples of their work first to be sure they’re up to it. Concentrate on good quality graphics and make sure that the look and feel of the video is consistent with your overall brand identity (it should look like your website, etc.)
One last tip that Glenda share was to post the video on your website – for the SEO boost – and then you might consider posting it on a site like Blip.tv for extra credibility and visibility. You can the distribute it on other sites. TubeMogul.com is a great auto-distrubuter that you might try.
You can learn more about Glenda and her services (she’s offered 30% off her services to Solo Pro Radio listeners) at http://www.gshawmedia.com/