Mary Dann's Blog: ABC

Showing posts with label ABC. Show all posts

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A Recent Wedding Featured in Wedding Planner Magazine

We would like to share a beautiful and very special wedding that was featured in the September/October 2011 issue of Wedding Planner Magazine. Sharise and Tim were a lovely couple to work with. Tim, a dear friend, was the last of seven children to get married. He and his lovely bride dated for over a year then planned a destination winter wedding in his hometown, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The wedding took place on a beautiful snowy day at the quaint and picturesque Hillbrook Club.

We would like to thank our talented team of vendors for all of their efforts to make the day a success.

Special thanks to our Cleveland, Ohio based team including Heidi at Heidzillas, LadyHawk Events, and Your Dream Day for their help with day of coordination, Jonathan Koslen with New Image Photography, Lasting Impression Rentals, stunning floral design by HeatherLily, a gorgeous and delicious cake by Cakes By Nadine, Classic DJ Service, A1 Mr. Limo, and Arra Hair Salon and Spa.

We would also like to thank John Goolsby from Godfather Films who made the trip out from California to capture all the special moments of the day.

Here is the article that was in Wedding Planner Magazine that highlights all the details of Sharise and Tim's beautiful wedding!

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Friday, March 25, 2011

Fridays Favorite Finds - The Ohio Trip

Last week I returned home from whirlwind 4 day trip to Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. I was greeted and escorted by my special Ohio PR connection and friend, Kathy Piech-Lucas, Owner of Your Dream Day Wedding planning company {www.yourdreamday.com}.

Yes, she is a high profile planner throughout Ohio and has now add Wedding PR to her resume, after all, she did PR before she started her wedding business in 2002.

I had the privilege of speaking to engaged couples, brides and mother-of- the-brides at a private luncheon where I sold and signed books and DVD’s. Then we were off to the Association of Bridal Consultants, Ohio State conference in Dublin Ohio.

I love inspiring others to be their best self, to speak my heart and mind along with helping others build their dream business. The experience is a blessing like no other!

Special thank you to Julie Albaugh from The Wedding Market for covering 2 full days of my trip!

On April 6, Wednesday we will do a live tweet chat together.. stay tuned for more inspiring details…

Much gratitude!

Mary

Photograph by Julie Albaugh, The Wedding Market

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

A Winter Wedding with the help of ABC

I just returned from my first winter wonderland ceremony in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a quaint historical town built around a beautiful waterfall. The wedding took place at St. Joan of Arc, a local Catholic church and was officiated by a priest who is also a family friend.

I had two months to plan a 150-person destination wedding weekend for Sharise and Tim, who live in Manhattan Beach, California. Quite a challenge, as I had never been to the great state of Ohio. They chose Chagrin Falls, Tim's home town, and since the groom had the larger family, they selected a location most convenient for keeping travel to a minimum.

They had most of their events; rehearsal dinner, welcome night gathering for out of town guests and wedding reception at The Hillbrook Club www.clubhillbrook.com

It's an outstanding club, reminiscent of a fairytale dream princess estate. The ballroom holds up to 200 people and the tavern 80 people. It was perfect for the rehearsal dinner, which we designed with two long tables of 35 guests each, and a living room that held up to 125; again perfect for our welcome night reception. Their service standards far exceeded my Ritz-Carlton expectations!

I opted not to travel with my team from Los Angeles. Instead, I invited a few of the local top ABC professionals to help:

Kathy Piech Lukas, owner of A Dream Day Events

A Dream Day Events Manager, Annette Troescher www.yourdreamday.com

Day-of help, Heidi Baumgart www.heidzillas.com

A special thanks to:

Videography: John Goolsby www.godfatherfilms.com

Photography: Jonathan Koslen www.newimagephotgraphy.com

Florist: Heather Thomas www.heatherlily.com

Rentals: www.Lnique.com

Cake: www.nadinescakes.com

Entertainment: DJ Larry Kopniske

The first secret to accomplishing so much in such a short time, miles from home in an unfamiliar small town is Quality Connections. Thank God for Association of Bridal Consultants. The largest association of bridal consultants worldwide www.bridalassn.com As a keynote speaker since 2007, I have had the privilege to meet professionals from all over, with like-minded business practices.

The second secret is working with a couple that trusts my style, judgment and ability to make magic within the budget allowed!

Learn more about how I handled the 10+ toasts at the wedding reception, 2 wedding crashers, and the 3+ hours of toasts and the rehearsal dinner. I will be presenting details during my tour book signing and speaking tour in Ohio.

I’m looking forward to more Ohio ~ Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati March 11-14th for speaking engagements and book signings.

More details on my speaking calendar

www.marydann.com/speaking_calendar.cfm after March 4^th.

Much gratitude!

Mary

Winter Wonderland Wedding in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with Mary Dann from Godfather Films on Vimeo.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

ABC Santa Barbara Ventura

ABC Santa Barbara with Mary Dann-McNamaree

Leaders and Followers

Wednesday, January 19th Mary’s talk explored the dynamics of working with leaders and followers. She provided insights and tools that will serve the Santa Barbara ABC Community as they journey through any type of intimate event planning situation; such as a mother-daughter planning a wedding, teenager and parents planning a mitzvah or a corporate planner and their team planning a gala or corporate meeting.

The presentation was based on years of experience working with couples in a therapeutic situation.

The talks main objective was to identify the Leadership Personality, Leadership Traits and the ability to motivate and Identify Traits that make up a good Follower or “Team Member”. She explored how important it is to recognize the balance intrinsic to creating a positive outcome of the team.

She and her panel of experts, Colette and Kaitlin Lopez of La Fete Weddings, and Nikki Khan of Exquisite Events, identified how good leadership affects followers, and the team success. They also shared how to recognize specific personalities within a planning environment and to leverage each individuals unique ability to contribute.

The discuss ended with an insightful discussion on how these personality traits manifest within Mother Daughter Relationships in a Legacy Business.

Enjoy,

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Consultants

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Association of Bridal Consultants Orange County

I feel so grateful that I was able to speak at the Association of Bridal Consultants Orange County at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. It’s always so great to see so many familiar faces and meet other inspiring professionals. I discussed the principle and showed my educational DVD “Expanding Your Staff Without Over Extending Your Self.” All of the different types of event professionals seemed to enjoy the event and walked away with a lot of inspiration. The ambiance and food was excellent! I was especially thankful to Kelly Feeney (Disney Fairytale Weddings), Michelle Tortuya (The Charming Little Event Company), Amanda (The House of Blues), and John Goolsby (Godfather Films), who all made sure I had everything I needed. I was thrilled to know that this was the orange county’s chapter’s ABC’s best turn out in a long time and I look forward to presenting in the future!!

Here are some great photos of the event taken by Marlin Munoz!!!!

A Speaking Shot

An Overhead View of the Tables

Enjoying the event with Annette Hoegner (Raye C Marketing), Melissa Churlonis (Event Manager for Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators), & Rhonda Couchigian (Raye C Marketing)

Signing Books for Guests

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Beach, Boardwalk, and Building Your Bridal Business 2010

I am so excited to be the guest speaker at The Association of Bridal Consultants 2010 New Jersey State Conference! The conference will be held from August 25th to August 27th at the fabulous Caesars Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. It’s definitely a trip you don’t want to miss!! It costs $200 for ABC Members and $250 for Non-ABC Members if you buy tickets before June 26! After the 26th, the prices go up $25, so act now! The itinerary looks amazing!!! There are going to be other incredible speakers and various seminars, networking events, and panels with professionals in the wedding industry! It’s going to be a lovely event and I can’t wait to see you all there!!!

To RSVP and find out more information, click here!!

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Friday, May 28, 2010

Temecula Presentation to Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) - Inland Empire

I headed to Temecula last Tuesday for a speaking engagement for the ABC Inland Empire monthly chapter meeting. On the way, I had lunch with Godfather film’s John Goolsby at the beautiful South Coast Winery and enjoyed a mini little tasting which was super lovely! In the evening, I spoke at Wilson Creek Winery about managing clients’ expectations of selling, planning and the day of journey. The room I spoke in was the Barrel Room with wine barrels all around us. The wine and the service was outstanding, and the owner of the winery came out to greet everyone which was a super nice touch. It was so nice to see so many familiar faces, especially the La Quinta Resort catering team along with my real-life sister Rose. I can’t wait to go back again when I don’t have to do public speaking! I have posted a few images from the night. See below!

All images provided by Stephen Ashby

Much Gratitude,

Mary Dann-McNamee

Friday, May 14, 2010

Inland Empire Association of Bridal Consultant's Networking and Educational Dinner Meeting

I am thrilled to be the guest speaker at the very special Inland Empire Association of Bridal Consultant's Networking and Educational Dinner Meeting. The meeting will be held on May 25Th from 6:00p to 9:00p at Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyard. The cost is $35 for members and $45 for non members. You can RSVP at ieabc.eventbrite.com. It's going to be a lovely event and I hope to see you there!!

Wilson Winery

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee