Time for Weddings and Experience! 2012

I hope everyone is having a great 2012.  I love the month of May – getting out in the garden, temperatures start warming up, we start to see the sun a little more (I hope), and I always get a little “spring” in my step because for me wedding season really starts to “ramp up.” 

Are you ready for the 2012 brides?  Today’s brides are inundated with wedding inspiration everywhere.  If you have a bride with an unlimited budget – the sky is the limit.  But what about the bride with the “limited” budget?  How do we say yes to her expectations and keep the wedding on budget?  At our May program we are going to discuss this topic, with Janel Ellefsen, planner, creator, owner of Occasions LLC and president of Seattle ABC.  This will be an opportunity to share some of your bridal stories also, good and not so good.  Please be sure to register and don’t miss this meeting.  May’s meeting is being held at one of the newest event facilities in Tacoma – Events on 6^th!, with catering by A Grand Affaire Catering. 

Also on my mind this time of year is Experience! The NACE Annual Conference – and Experience! 2012 is being held in New Orleans, July 15 – 18.  If you have not made plans to attend Experience! 2012 now is the time to do so. Be sure to visit the NACE National website – www.nace.net – for complete conference information and to register to attend.

One of the most inspiring events at Experience! is the awards gala!  Do you remember the fabulous meeting we held at the Washington Floral Warehouse last September?  Where Julia Miller and Diane Lagerstedt demonstrated how to make beautiful floral arrangements?  Well that program was submitted for the Chapter Program of the Year award.  The announcement of all of the NACE award winners is made during the gala..  So keep your fingers crossed!

I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, May 15 at Events on 6^th! 

Susan Aaron
Tacoma / SPS NACE Chapter President

Annie Cappiello of Annie’s Unique Gifts and Gift Baskets joined NACE in February.

Her four-year-old business creates gift baskets for mostly corporate clients and medical offices. She creates non-floral centerpieces for events, too. She has started to branch out into creating baskets for individuals for birthdays and babies.

“It’s fun to create something to match the company’s or organization’s theme with a custom-made basket or non-floral centerpiece,” says Annie Cappiello.

The most unusual gift basket that she’s created was to match a “denim & diamonds” theme. She cut off a pair of jeans to create a container for the products.

“The higher-priced baskets are the most fun because I can do more with them,” explains Annie.

She goes to a gift market twice a year and buys wholesale products. She buys a lot of Pacific Northwest products and chocolates. Whenever possible, she buys locally-made products that are commercially packaged. For example, a basket for an Olympia client would include some Olympia-made products.

She personally delivers baskets to customers in Olympia and Tacoma . Outside of the area, she ships baskets.

She enjoys being a member of NACE because she meets people in a new industry. “There are a lot of creative people in the group,” she says. “Everyone is helpful, and I enjoy seeing the beautiful centerpieces and décor at the meetings.”
After work, Annie enjoys gardening and working out. Her workout routines are body combat (seven forms of martial arts in a routine put to music – no combat) and body pump.

To contact Annie, 360-490-6086 or anniesuniquegifts@gmail.com.

Annie’s Unique Gifts and Gift Baskets, www.anniesuniquegifts.com

Written by Paula R. Lowe, South Sound Wedding & Event Magazine.

March meeting at The Inn at Gig Harbor

Did you make it across the bridge last month to our April meeting?  If so, you know what a great evening it was!  If not, well you missed out. Thank you Kati Wright, the Inn at Gig Harbor for hosting us; and to the culinary team at the Inn – dinner was delicious – with locally sourced items.

Thank you to Annie Cappiello, Annies Unique Gifts for providing us with “local sourced, green” centerpieces for the tables. David Sader of Absolute Music for providing music, sound and lighting.  Johnny Gargano for providing the photography.  And thank you to Mark Craig-Davenport of ABC Special Events by Cort for the décor for this meeting.

"Say Yes" to the "Real Brides" of the South Sound

Reality TV, "bites!"  Brides pin their hopes on "Pinterest."  Fantasy Wedding Bloggers fill brides' heads with wedding fantasies.  In this modern climate of TV and internet expectations run rampant -- What's a sensible wedding professional to do?

Can  we "say yes" to the brides in our lives, while respecting our profession, being creative yet practical, and still earn a profit?

Join the Tacoma / South Puget Sound Chapter of NACE as we unpack this topic with Janel Ellefsen, planner, creator, owner of Occasions LLC, and president of the Seattle Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC).  Janel has worked with many brides, helping make their wedding dreams come true - whatever the expectation and budget may be. 

Don't miss this "interactive" presentation - take the opportunity to air your own "real brides" stories, and hear the harrowing tales of your colleagues.  Leave enlightened, entertained and encouraged, ready to face the onslaught of wedding season with confidence and clarity.

Venue:  Events on 6th!
Caterer: A Grand Affaire Catering

Events on 6^t!h Tacoma's newest vintage wedding & event venue is a newly renovated Gothic Revival chapel located in the heart of the Sixth Avenue Business District.   The sanctuary features stained glass windows on the North and West facades, a majestic vaulted ceiling & seating for at least 200.  The original pipe organ, installed in 1926, still produces beautiful tones which are enhanced by the natural acoustics of the sanctuary.  The venue also features romantic bridal suite; mid-century style lobby lounge with gas fireplace; relaxing groom's den; reception hall for 180 guests; spacious commercial kitchen; free parking lot; and a central courtyard adjoining the lounge and reception hall.  It's the perfect space for weddings, anniversaries, graduation, birthdays, concerts, and other gatherings.

A Grand Affaire Catering offers full-service catering at any location in the Puget Sound Area from Snohomish all the way to Chehalis and everywhere in between.  Owner operated since inception in 1998, Monica Newby and her caring staff will ensure personal attention to make your event a delicious success.  They offer services for many types of events from intimate in-home dinner parties to festive galas in spacious venues and even casual outdoor picnics.  No matter the style of event, creative preparations, classic fare, or ethnic influences - their cuisine will be stylishly presented with robust flavors.