How is it the end of January already?! Oy-vey…
One of my many goals this year is to provide valuable information through our blogs and share what I know about all things wedding & events. Quite honestly, I’m not sure how three weeks has already passed since I wrote about the fabulous wedding season we had….time passes way too quickly! I certainly have a lot in my brain that I want to share with you, so I promise that I will work on blogging on a more regular basis. 🙂
With that being said, I wanted to share some of the exciting things that happened at Inked Events from a business perspective in 2016.
Settle in, here we go…
I swear, I don’t lie when I say it truly humbles me whenever I receive any type of award or nomination. I love what I do and the couples I have the pleasure of working with certainly make my job super easy. So, when I received word that we won the “2016 Wedding Wire’s Couples Choice Award” for the second year in a row, I was very humbled. This award is truly based on what my couples say about their experience working with us!
I also received word a few weeks later that I received the “Best of Salem” award in the Event Planner category. I was floored when I got the notification for this one. This award recognized us as a local small business in our community for all our hard work and dedication.
OH wait….not done in the award category yet…
I was beyond ecstatic when I learned I was nominated for “NH’s A-List Best Wedding Planner” for the second year in a row … and even more excited when I WON it again! Yep, I was doing the happy dance for that one. I devote so much time and energy to making sure my couples have a stress/worry free wedding that I wear this title proudly.
And then the real shocker came…
When I went to go vote for a fellow planner friend for the “Best of North Shore (BONS) Magazine Best Wedding Planner” only to find out that we were nominated for it as well! Sadly, we didn’t win, but man, that was an honor to have been initially nominated!
I swear winning these awards never goes to my head because I really am humbled by them and work hard to earn them.
It’s not all about the awards….
In the off-season, I like to let the creativity flow and do a few styled shoots with my fellow wedding professionals. I love doing them because it’s a time when I can create something purely for inspirational purposes. They are so much fun too when the creative juices start flowing!
I was excited when one of our styled shoots “Bohemian Chic” was featured in Seacoast Weddings Magazine!
And even though not all the styled shoots I create get into publications, I still have fun doing them….this “Steampunk” shoot had been swirling around in my brain for 2 years before I finally found the right team/time to bring it all together.
Keeping up with my education & connecting with my fellow planner friends….
Did I mentioned I love what I do?! Every year I attend the Association of Bridal Consultants Business of Brides conference to stay up to date on trends, learn new styles and business techniques, meet new planner friends, and especially connect with planner friends I’ve met over the years.
This year’s conference took me to Dallas, Texas where I went solo {left the hubby at home this time} and shared a room with one those planner friends, Michelle of DYV Events, who is a planner in Little Rock Arkansas. Michelle is in the middle and my other longtime planner friend, Jen of Knot Your Average Events from North Carolina is on the right.
Michelle & I also had the opportunity to play tourist in Dallas before the conference started and we saw some interesting things along the way….
Now, to kick off the conference, the ABC planned a spectacular Black & White Masquerade Ball…where we rocked the night away with an amazing band, food, and friends.
After my first full day of learning and being inspired, I attended one of the off-site events at one of the most luxurious hotels in Dallas. I enjoyed a 3 course dinner, the skyline and danced the night away. The “Wizard of Oz” was the theme and everything was quite stunning. Who knew Dallas is considered the “Emerald City”?!
I had an absolute blast all around despite the early mornings & late nights! This was by far the best ABC Conference that I have attended so far. I learned so much as a business owner and planner. The content, decor and overall vibe was so inspiring and emphasized just why I love what I do.
I’m looking forward to heading to the Riviera Maya, Mexico this year!
Last thoughts….
After a few curves in the road from when I first began my wedding planning business journey, I started Inked Events in 2013 with the goal of bringing couples exceptional, fun, professional and pleasant service that would allow them to enjoy their wedding day to the fullest. I also wanted Inked Events to be able to support me financially where I did not have to also work a non-wedding related day job.
I’m extremely proud and excited to say that at the end of 2016 I worked my last day as an employee. I kicked off 2017 as the “Boss Lady” and I’m solely focusing my energies and time on Inked Events!!
I couldn’t have done it with the support from my family, friends, fellow wedding professionals and especially, to the couples who entrust one of the most important days of their lives to me that allowed me the ability to take the leap.
I will continue to build a strong, honest reputation for myself and Inked Events. I will always provide our couples with the same exceptional, fun and professional service that I started with.
Here’s to an amazing 2017 and the few surprises already up my sleeve…stay tuned!