WIPA presents – The Emerging Gay and Lesbian Wedding Market

 

THE EMERGING GAY AND LESBIAN WEDDING MARKET

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Legendary Park Plaza
Trisha Harako – Events Manager
607 S Park View St
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-381-6300
Trisha@parkplazala.com
www.parkplazala.com

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THE EXPERIENCE
One of Los Angeles’ best kept secrets, the Park Plaza ushers you into a world of grandeur as you step across the Park Plaza Lobby, a cathedral-like space with a Romanesque vaulted ceiling at least three stories high.  The Art Deco beauty and old-world charm is unsurpassable and the Hollywood landmark‘s history will inspire you. Join us for libations, lunch, and lively exchanges at the former playground of the city’s most influential leaders. Once a men’s only club, Park Plaza is now a historic site for glamorous weddings and events. WIPA welcomes you into an exclusive world that welcomes equality and same-sex marriages for all, and see why our industry is leading the future!

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
11:00 AM Registration & Hors d’ Ouevres
11:45 AM Speaker Presentation
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM “Face to Face” – a time to connect, meet and share ideas and enjoy a dessert along with a cappuccino


EVENT REGISTRATION

Non-Member Fees are:
$55 By January 29
$70 After January 29

Members Fees are:
$40 By January 29
$55 After January 29


PROGRAM:
The Emerging Gay and Lesbian Wedding Market … And You
Same-sex weddings present unique challenges to those in the wedding industry.  Let’s face it, not all of us know how to plan a “gay wedding.”  But laws are beginning to change across the country and you should be prepared to reach this lucrative market.

Join us for an intensive, interactive seminar on the gay and lesbian wedding market.

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IN THIS SESSION YOU WILL….

Get an understanding of the financial and political impact of gay weddings

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Learn the differences, large and small, between straight and gay weddings

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Get great ideas and tips on how to market to engaged same-sex couples

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And much more!


PRESENTER

 

Bernadette Coveney Smith
646.580.1270
info@14stories.com
www.14stories.com

Bernadette Coveney Smith is the nation’s leading same-sex wedding expert.  She is founder and president of 14 Stories, the first company in the U.S. specializing in planning legal same-sex weddings.  14 Stories has offices in New York and Boston.

Seven years ago, when gay marriage was first legalized in Massachusetts, Bernadette envisioned a wedding production company for engaged same-sex couples looking to navigate a traditional wedding industry. Since 2004, she and her team have produced hundreds of gay and lesbian weddings, working with couples from 29 U.S. states.

Bernadette’s expertise has been sought after by the Today Show, the New York Times, the Washington PostCNNTravel and Leisure and NPR, among others.  Bernadette is author of the book Gay Wedding Confidential.  Bernadette also developed the first gay wedding planning app for iPhone and Android.  She regularly speaks about gay weddings around the country.


SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

Venue:
Trisha Harako
607 S Park View St
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-381-6300
Trisha@parkplazala.com
www.parkplazala.com

Catering:
Summit Catering
Veronica Medrano
765 S. State College, Suite A
Fullerton California 92831
714-773-4775
veronica@summitevents.com
www.summitevents.com

Linen:
La Tavola Linen
Lori Chavez
9859 s. santa monica blvd.
beverly hills, ca 90212
310.286.1333
lori@latavolalinen.com
www.latavolalinen.com

Furniture:
Lounge Appeal
Kristy Griggs
5145 Avenida Encinas Suite A
Carlsbad, CA 92008
619-888-5799
kristy@loungeappeal.com
www.loungeappeal.com

Floral:
Shawna Yamamoto
471 W Lambert Rd. Ste 109
La Brea, CA 92821
714-255-0900
Shawna@shawnayamamoto.com
www.shawnayamamoto.com

Photography:
Gene Higa Photography
Gene Higa
309 Neptune Ave
Encinitas, CA 92024
415-533-5045
gene@genehiga.com
www.genehiga.com

Entertainment:
Gerry Rothschild Band
Gerry Rothschild
PO Box 619 Los Angeles, CA 91001
626-791-5305
Gerry@grbands.com
www.grbands.com

Desserts/Favors:
Tasty Cloud Cotton Candy Company
Nina Rodecker
12325 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-990-2435
nina@tastyclouds.com
www.tastyclouds.com

Invitations:
Copper Willow
Jill & Leora
8530 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310-836-6004
info@copperwillow.com
www.copperwillow.com


A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CO CHAIRS:

Michelle Nowak
Good Gracious! Events
323-954-2277
michelle@goodgraciousevents.com
www.goodgraciousevents.com

Michelle Nowak | Event Producer, Good Gracious! Events
After years of producing national events from a West Coast base she found a home at Good Gracious! Events. Here, she’s been able to bring her own event style to life. With years in the event industry and long-standing relationships built with creative partners, she knows the key to making both social and corporate events run flawless is to listen, then exceed expectations!

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Nahid Farhoud
Wedding Elegance
619-920-2976
info@weddingelegancesd.com
www.weddingelegancesd.com

Nahid Farhoud is an energetic and responsive wedding planner whose talents integrate elegance with a “WOW” factor. Her responsiveness and compassion for family and tradition helps her personalize the international language of love for her clients and their guests. Since 2005 Nahid has utilized her incredible eye for design and detail in multicultural weddings at Southern California’s most exclusive venues, as well as in international locations such as Dubai, Paris, Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, and much more. Nahid’s work has also been featured in national magazines and wedding blogs, and she is also certified by the Association of Bridal Consultants, Jean Picard Wedding Consulting, and the Special Event.

Hailed as an industry leader who specializes in ethnic weddings, Nahid embraces innovation and yet keeps the planning process simple. Nahid’s love of high-end fashion is reflected in her events and details. She grabs inspiration from the season’s upcoming colors and works them into the event design, creating couture weddings and events that are unique and tailored to each bride.

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A Luxury Wedding and Special Events PR and Marketing Firm. We believe in creative marketing and new business development with a foundation deeply rooted in consistency. Great ideas mean little without organized implementation and follow through. At Rayce PR and Marketing we create, implement and succeed! #LuxuryWeddingPR #VenueMarketing #WeddingFloristMarketing #WeddingMarketingAgency