I was was recently interviewed by a magazine about new trends such as going "GREEN" so I thought I would share my answers.
Q's & A's
Are you seeing evidence of a trend in green weddings or environmentally friendly weddings?
Yes, GREEN is in… and Event and Wedding Planners are taking notice. Tillman and Company has completed the search for vendors who are green friendly.. As well as, coming up with ideas so that Brides can fill good knowing that their planning experts has the knowledge and resources to pull off a GREEN Wedding from every aspect of designing her special day.
Needs some ideas for a green wedding?
Wedding Gown – Go Vintage (recycle one from a friend) or pick a dress made from natural fibers. Bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride etc. – Again, Natural Fibers Favors – Plants, Lucky Bamboo and Flower Seeds OR do a donation to a charity (Instead of favors ..We have made a donation on behalf our pet Oscar to the Human Society.)
- Place cards, Programs, Invitations, Table Numbers, Guestbook – Use Recycled Paper
- Food – Go Organic/Raw or Vegetable that are grown here locally..
- Organic Wine – Organic Wine
- Centerpieces – Soy Candles Flowers – Pesticide Free Flowers
Are today's brides and grooms interested in making a statement with large and small elements of their weddings and making them more environmentally friendly?
Absolutely, they are make large statements…From the Wedding Gown to the Invitations and we are ready with the resources here in Houston. Do you see this trend increasing in the future, as the green trends in other industries spills over into the wedding industry?
Guaranteed - we have to become a part of the trend - no matter how big or small the event …every bride is hearing about GREEN Weddings and will want to bring some aspect of it into their wedding before their friends do…
With the first of the echo boom children reaching the age of 19, our research suggests that the next 5 years and up will see an increasing demand for wedding services. In your professional opinion, is this an accurate opinion?
Every bride wants to feel special and that means hiring a professional wedding planner to work side by side with her prior and on the day of her wedding. With shows like platinum weddings every Bride dreams about their special day and want it all! They believe by hiring a Wedding Planner will get them there..
ACPWC is continually growing and yes there are more wedding planners today than 7 years ago when I started.. but here's the challenge …very few are truly certified, experienced and professional.
Here's what get some entrepreneurs into trouble who want to become wedding planners – I've heard this over 50 times “A Bride just planned their own wedding and would like to become a wedding planner”. I hear it all the time… Well, there's so much more to it … you wear many different hats, juggle many balls in the air and must do it with grace, style and a smile. Not everyone is cut out for this type of career. Wedding Planners are expected to be at the beck and call of their clients and make few if “any” mistakes – it's their wedding day not just any BBQ in someone's backyard and should be treated with all the attention to detail.
I recommend to those Brides who want to become a wedding planner - get liability insurance, (Brides do sue), know your competition first, find out how many couples are getting marriage licenses in your city, what is the market penetration and do you have a business plan.
If so, how should aspiring wedding industry entrepreneurs (from Coordinators to photographers to florists etc) use this information to plan their business?
Anticipate what the trends are before they happen…take a hint from the fashion magazines on the upcoming colors and read the newspaper…you will be surprise how much information is available to us by just being informed and aware…For example, from how couples are meeting, to what's HOT in food and fashion trends of colors that are going to be HOT before every bridesmaid is wearing it.
Are there any other large wedding industry trends you're seeing develop that new entrepreneurs should be aware of? If so, please share your thoughts and advice.
Couples are meeting more and more on the internet than before ….thanks to e harmony, My Space, Chat Rooms, Internet Sites, IM and more. Knowing just a little information could change alot about your business such as how and where you advertise…so, if people are meeting on the internet…think of some creative ways to get your company name out there via the internet….
If I told you how that...it would be toooo easy! | 
