Oahu Wedding Association's saywhat: News, Information, & Gossip About Hawaii Wedding Professionals

Welcome to the Oahu Wedding Association's SayWhat Blog!

Welcome to the Oahu Wedding Association's SayWhat Blog. This is the fun & informative (and slighly irreverent) meeting place for Oahu Wedding Association members, friends, and fans (including YOU!). If you want to catch up on the Hawaii wedding industry, learn more about Hawaii wedding professionals and OWA members, or learn about what the Oahu Wedding Association can do for you, you've come to the right place.

Please feel free to look around! And don't forget to check out our other presences on the web:

• Our website: Get even more information on the Oahu Wedding Association and use it as a way to refer your clients to other Hawaii wedding professionals who have the same passion and dedication as you!
• Our Facebook Fanpage: Get to know us more in-depth and stay "in the loop," as this gets updated very often.
• Our Twitter Page: Hawaii wedding professionals: be up-to-date on what's happening with your industry. Brides-to-be: Get exclusive Twitter-only deals and information from OWA members.

We look forward to serving you.

Knot Party Invitation

Oahu Wedding Association members! The Knot is throwing a fabulous party for wedding industry people, and you're invited! We hope to see you there.

Cocktails & Connections hosted by The Knot with Darbie Sherwood WHAT: Join us for fabulous cocktails, delicious treats and live music to keep you networking all night. Mingle with O'ahu's savviest wedding industry professionals and get a sneak peek at what's new at The Knot! WHEN: August 23 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. WHERE: YWCA of O'ahu Laniakea Center 1040 Richards Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Valet parking available Space is limited so RSVP by August 18!

 

Wedding vendors, if you haven’t registered already for “Cocktails & Connections” hosted by The Knot, please do so today!  This cocktail party is open to all wedding vendors (advertisers and non-advertisers)!  Space is limited, so please RSVP today!

Click here to register  http://www.theknot.com/RSVP/Oahu2011

Brides to be say “I do”

at the Hawaii Bridal Expo, July 29-31, 2011. 
Hawaii Bridal Expo Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall

Hours: Friday: 5:30 pm to 10 pm Saturday: 10:30 am to 5 pm 
Sunday: 10:30 am to 4 pm 

Brides to be will discover the latest tips and trends and meet hundreds of local wedding professionals. There will also be on-going strolling fashion shows each day featuring "theme" wedding gowns, traditional fashions, as well as mother and father of the bride apparel, children’s gowns and more. 

Admission $9 at the door, details and two for one admission available on-linewww.bridesclub.com 

Expo sponsors include: Proudly sponsored by Celebrity Tuxedos, Pacific Diamond & Swiss Watch Exchange, Spinning Web Florists, Princess Brides, Liquid Light Images, Big City Diner, Vacations Hawaii, Off Menu Catering, Royal Party Rentals, IMF Visual productions and Bridesclub.com. 

The Hawaii Bridal Expo is produced by Buckles Production, producers of wedding shows in Hawaii for over twenty years. 



Continuous strolling Fashion Shows 

Admission $9 at the door. Discounts at bridesclub.com

Hawaii Bridal Expo & OWA need your help!

Once again, the Oahu Wedding Association & Hawaii Bridal Expo are teaming up to bring more value to your OWA membership by hosting a booth at the Hawaii Bridal Expo and presenting a series of seminars called Hot Wedding Trends for 2012.  And we need your help to make these successful!

We need volunteers for the expo booth.

Here's your opportunity to participate in the OWA, by letting people know about our association!  We need volunteers to man two-hour shifts throughout the day.  Free admission into the show, please show up fifteen minutes before your shift.

Contact OWA President Karine France Matsumoto for more information and to sign up for a shift.

We need participants for the Hot Wedding Trends for 2012 seminars.

We will present a total of five shows that weekend.  You simply get on stage, get asked by the moderator some questions about the current hot trends in your particular industry, and answer any questions that the audience may have.  Here's your opportunity to talk about what's hot, what's trendy, and what's special about your industry, as well as to influence new trends by telling prospective clients about the unique things that YOU do!

Times for the show:

• Friday, 7/29, 7:30pm
• Saturday, 7/30, 12:30pm
• Saturday, 7/30, 3:30pm
• Sunday, 7/31, 12:30pm
• Sunday, 7/31, 2:30PM

Contact OWA Marketing Director Eric Mansperger for more information and to sign up for a show.

We look forward to your participation!

Separating The Amateur From The Professional: Your Answers

At the June OWA meeting, members & guests explored various facets & common challenges of the wedding industry and worked together to come up with solutions to these challenges.  Members & guests broke up into discussion groups and tackled these questions; here are the results of their conversations.  Thank you to all who came & participated.

Do You Have a Preferred Vendor List that you offer to your clients?  If so, why or how is it beneficial?

Those in the group agreed to that they all use a preferred vendor list.  They try to refer their clients to good businesses and mutually refer among their friends/preferred vendors.  They also refer vendors that are in line with their company's style.

What do you do when a potential client asks you to reduce fees because they decided to book other services and are now re-adjusting their budget?

When a client asks members of this group to reduce fees, they try to customize packages to fit the needs within their clients' budget.  If a client continues to ask for further "discounts," they try to politely put their foot down or offer referrals to other vendors who are more within the clients' price range.  These wedding professionals try to avoid these situations by qualifying potential clients as much as possible.

What kind of advertising do you find most effective?

Members of this group agreed that the absolute best form of advertising is word of mouth.  In addition, they also mentioned

• Networking/referrals from other vendors & venues
• Expos & The Wedding Cafe
• WeddingWire/Google/SEO/Internet
• Social Media

Do you choose to pass on certain clients? What makes you decide to turn someone down, and how do you tell them?

This group agreed that in certain situations, it is advisable to pass on certain prospects:

• If it does not seem like a match--the wedding professional & prospective client need to connect in order to capture that prospect's vision
• For some wedding professionals that limit themselves to only one wedding per day, if she is already booked on that day, then naturally they must pass on the prospect
• Of course, if the client does not have sufficient financial resources (read: cannot afford) to retain the wedding professional's services, then no work will be done!

As we're all very busy with our businesses, how do you ensure to take time off for yourself?

This group gave the following suggestions:

• Designate certain days off in the week
• Have an office outside of the home so work does not follow you home
• Have a distinct work phone number--and no giving out personal cell phone numbers until the week of the wedding

Thanks again to all who participated!

Image in this post courtesy MICHAEL McDERMOTT / Fisheye Studio

Learn More About Liquor Laws & Licensing: NACE Hawaii meeting invitation

Interested in learning more about liquor laws & licensing?  The Honolulu Liquor Commission will be answering your questions in an informative seminar presented by NACE Hawaii.

From their website:

 

Liquor: one of many substances that can quickly get you and your business in a lot of trouble if improperly dealt with. What should you know to keep yourself from getting into trouble? Come join us for the July NACE Hawaii meeting and find out! A representative from the Honolulu Liquor Commission will share his expertise and answer your questions on liquor distribution, sales, legal issues, licenses, and Rules To Know To Keep You & Your Clients Legal & Out of Trouble.

 

Tuesday, July 12, 2011
6:00pm - Registration & Networking
6:45pm - Welcome & Announcements
7:00pm - No host cocktails & dinner
7:45pm - Keynote Presentation, followed by Q&A
Networking to follow

Honolulu Club
932 Ward Avenue, 7th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96814

$40 for NACE Hawaii members, $55 for non-members if RSVP by July 8
$45 for NACE Hawaii members, $60 for non-members if RSVP July 9-12 and at the door, if space is still available

Note: this meeting is limited to the first 50 people to RSVP

Visit the NACE Hawaii meetings page for more information and to RSVP

OWA May 2011 meeting highlights

OWA members and wedding professionals had a great time networking and socializing at the recent Oahu Wedding Association meeting on May 31 at the Oasis World Estates' Beachfront Estate. The Latin inspired theme permeated the atmosphere with fun Latin music, margaritas, and a fire dance performance by Judy Bacon of Hawaii Fire Dancers.

 

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy RAFAEL SWIT / Fisheye Studio
 
Click here for more pics from the May OWA meeting

The following individuals contributed to the success of the event:

• Justin Panoke & Tommy Meharey with Oasis World Estates for graciously hosting the party
• Ben Bautista with Exclusive Sound Entertainment for the great music and for providing the sound system for the event;
• T.I.K.I Truck for the delicious tacos for dinner;
• Mike Lukacs with Royal Party Rentals for the gorgeous decor and furnishings;
• Jill & Terrie Easley with Easley Designs for the beautiful centerpieces;
• Prestige Valet Services for taking care of our transportation

And to everyone who came...thank you! See you at the next meeting!

Maui Wedding Expo July 30, 2011 - consumer information

OWA Members: please share the information below with your Maui clients.  Click here if you want information on exhibiting.

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The Maui Wedding Association, and the Westin Maui Resort & Spa Is proud to present the Maui Wedding Association 2011 Annual Maui wedding Expo ℠ on July 30, 2011!

The Expo is $3 admission per person to the public (children free). You will be required to fill out a registration card with your names, address, phone and wedding date to qualify for the prize giveaways. Or, you can pre-register for a $1 off admission coupon

 

Maui Wedding Expo ℠ - Pre-register Here

Once you pre-register you will be given a pass for discounted admission. You must be 18 years of age to register. You must be present to win prizes. You do not need to be a resident to register.

 

Our 2010 Wedding Expo Featured

- Wedding Vendors: Included vendors in all categories.
- Entertainment: Polynesian Keiki Hula Show, Blessing by Reverend Laki Ka'ahumanu, Musician Entertainment
- Wedding Fashion Shows: By Elly´s Formal Wear and Serendipity Maui
- Prize Giveaways: Hourly door prizes, everything from wedding cakes and tuxedos, to hotel stays and a diamond ring!

Hope to see you there!

Maui Wedding Expo July 30, 2011 - exhibitor information

OWA Members: Click here for related information that you can pass on to your Maui clients.

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Be a part of the "largest and longest running" Wedding Expo in MAUI - 16 years strong!

 

Westin Maui Resort & Spa

July 30, 2011

 

Our past show statistics speak for themselves, we deliver brides show after show after show! Brides attend our shows because they are serious - these are the quality brides that you want! 

Just like Brides shop and compare vendors, you too should shop and compare Bridal Shows before investing your hard earned money on shows that give you unrealistic attendance estimates!   

 Our Statistics speak for themselves:

7/31/10 - Hyatt Regency Resort: 475 Brides, 1250 Total Attendance, 56 Vendors

7/18/09 – Wailea Marriott Hotel: 512 Brides, 1100 Total Attendance, 42 Vendors  

3/24/08 – Maui Tropical Plantation: 645 Brides, 1250 Total Attendance, 46 Vendors 

Also, our booth value cannot be beat - starting at $400 includes booth skirting (gold & white colors), 6’ table and 2 chairs, electrical service, the list of Brides who attended, and the list of brides who attended. 

  

Why Exhibit at the Maui Wedding Expo?

 

• The sheer numbers of qualified brides who attend each and every Wedding Expo hosted by the Maui Wedding Association is unequal by any other show in Maui.  We are consistently amazed by the amount of people they are able to bring to the room, and no matter how many more cake samples, brochures, etc. we bring to each event, we always run out!  The Maui Wedding Expo is on our "Don't Miss" list without exception. 

 

SIGN UP TODAY FOR BEST PLACEMENT!  www.mauibridalshow.com

 

OWA Needs Your Pictures!

The Oahu Wedding Association is designing the artwork for our 2011 marketing campaign, and we'd LOVE for you to be a part of it!

We're looking for original images that capture the essence of having a Hawaii wedding on Oahu, and if you have the right image, it may be featured in our print ads, website, and other ad media! To participate, simply email OWA Director of Marketing Eric Mansperger for image specs and other information. Having your image in our magazine ads, online presence, and other media is a great way of getting your name out and adding another quality "client" to your portfolio!

This invitation is for all OWA members, not just photographers! So wedding coordinators, videographers, DJs, florists, designers, etc., if you have the right picture, we'd love for you to submit it!

Social Light Invitation

Want to learn how to throw the most fabulous wedding? Look no further, Social Light – The Art of Wedding Design is coming to the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa on March 27, 2011. With only one chance to make your big day perfect, Social Light’s speakers will educate and inspire “do-it-yourself” brides and grooms with a day full of vigorous content to help couples plan the most fabulous, beautiful and memorable wedding of their life. Attendees will have the opportunity to bounce ideas and concepts off of wedding experts and get their most intimate questions answered.

Enjoy a day of luxury while experiencing a firsthand preview of the newest wedding trends in beauty, floral and decor, photography and videography, entertainment, and catering. Conceptualized out of a desire to bring knowledge, tips, and secrets to create an amazing wedding to Hawaii brides, Social Light is bringing together more than a dozen of Hawaii’s top wedding professionals for an exclusive one-day workshop.

For the event schedule, list of speakers, and registration information, please visit http://www.sociallighthawaii.com/