The Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on October 30th, 2013 with Ciara Glendon  founder of Hello Lovely + Events. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different. 

Ciara Glendon

Ciara Glendon is the event choreographer at Choreographed by Ciara and founder of Hello Lovely + Events. Ciara is also the founder of the Community of Wedding & Event Innovators. Ciara has a BA in Communications and Culture from the University of Calgary with a major in Leisure and Tourism. She also has a Latin American Studies diploma from the Collegio de Jalisco which she received while living and studying in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Ciara worked at the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which plans the Canadian Juno Awards. She also worked for one of Canada’s top promotional product companies working with clients such as GE and Heinz.

Ciara is an award winning event designer and a sought after speaker in the wedding industry. She was also a final nominee for Canadian Event Professional of the Year in 2011. She has spoken in front of hundreds of wedding planners at events such as the Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Conference and the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Annual Conference. Thousands of wedding planners follow Ciara’s teachings via her coaching programs at the Community of Wedding & Event Innovators. Upcoming for Ciara is her business development event for wedding and event professionals with Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess! COWI Live: Uncensored November 4-6 2013 in Los Angeles www.cowiliveuncensored.com

Q1:   How did you get involved with planning weddings?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon:  I have a BA from @UCalgary and paid my way through school planning events- got engaged and started planning weddings.

Q2:  What was your first paid event?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: Wedding @Fairmont_PAL that was entirely vegetarian- super cool to make sure entire wedding was animal friendly that was when dietary restrictions were not the trend or easily accommodated let alone a whole wedding!

Q3:   What are some of the current wedding trends?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: weddings themed on movie sets/ costumes is #weddingtrend . Weddings that look like the brides fav décor store like @RestoHardware . Weddings that include live music love @thelumineers style for cocktails and dinner. Weddings are all about multi level clustered centerpieces & candles these days.

Q4:  What wedding traditions are common in Canada that are different from the US?  

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: Funny difference we call things different names in planning #CanadavsUSweddings . We can’t have sunset ceremonies in the summer because the sun sets at 10pm!  Some of our brides will have twoonie bars (Canadian $2 coin)- I encourage my clients to do open bar #CanadavsUSweddings .  We also include signing of marriage certificate in the ceremony #CanadavsUSweddings . Can’t have a friend marry you in Alberta- has to be a legal marriage commissioner.

Q5:   How do you know that you’re meant for the wedding and event industry? 

Answer:  

Ciara Glendon:  Having #weddingmagazines since I was 16 pretty much guaranteed I was meant for this world.

Q6: What tips do you have for wedding & event pros just starting out?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon:  Learn from other people as much as you can. Get involved in the industry. Attend events! Befriend your competition and collaborate instead of shopping them behind their back.

Q7 :   What helped your wedding business to advance to the next level? 

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: Attended events focused on marketing & sales-went home & applied it to my #weddingbiz in a creative way using an #ezine. By being a resource for brides my name spread everywhere.

Q8:  What are some of the most common mistakes that wedding pros make in biz?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: Being #meangirl  gets u no where. being snobby doesn’t fly w me or anyone else. No one wants to work w you.  Not watching their #money.  I made that mistake when I got too busy and I trusted someone else w this task. Even if you hire someone-watch your own #money like a hawk!

Q9:  How do you quit feeling like you’re running on a hamster wheel?

 Answer:

Ciara Glendon: Stop doing what everyone else is doing because you’ll never stand out. Find your #jenesaisquoi #specialsauce and shine.  You are working to spend time w your fam &  friends- actually spend more time w them and work smarter using systems. Take care of yourself w healthy eating, exercise & a healthy mindset as you are your business’ best asset.

Q10:   Why is it difficult for creative people to obtain monetary success? 

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon:   We’re people pleasers-rather make someone happy giving them a discount than feel uncomfortable charging what we deserve and we get overwhelmed with our craft like I said previously- happened to me and I learned the lesson the hard way.

Q11:  How do you manage your social media? 

Answer:

Ciara Glendon:  have @hootsuite so schedule some things but honestly just make time to actually connect @CallandraC told me that! There are all sorts of random times in your day where you have nothing going on- go on twitter and connect. Waiting in a grocery store line, sitting outside your child’s door making sure they are asleep- go on social media then.  Get personal w social media. I like to share what’s actually happening w me. like I’m hungry thinking of cake.

Q12: How do wedding pros gain publicity without spending their life savings on a publicist?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: Start making connections and actually follow your local media on Twitter and Facebook.  I comment on social media to the reporters and give my opinions on current events w a #wedding twist. Pitch relevant stories like how to make your engagement worthy after @kanyewest @kimkardashian WOW’d us all (love them).

Q13:   How should event pros figure out how to price their services ?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: Figure out exactly each step you do in the process. Figure out how long each step takes you. Then decide what you want to make an hour. Tally it up . Talk openly w your competitors about their pricing for similar services. I’d price match w competitors in a competitive situation but NEVER undercut. Doesn’t help any of us.

Q14:   Any exciting new project or events coming up?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: I’m so excited about #COWIUncensored w @ThePartyGoddess Nov 4-6 in #LA http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H . #WeddingEventInnovatorAwards honoring @CeciNewYork @MikeColon @KarenTran @WildFlowerLinen http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H  .  You can join the livestream #COWIUncensored http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H  .  We even have a livestream correspondent @itsajoy who will be connecting w people in our chat http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H  . I actually met @ThePartyGoddess at an event so you never know what collaboration will come from connecting at an event.

Q15:  How has adopting technology made you successful in wedding biz?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: My #ezine run through @Infusionsoft is golden to me for connecting w my list and being a resource. Using my iphone for on the go work means I can be w my 3 yr old son more.

Q16:  How do you feel about blogging?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: I think it’s important it matches w your flavor of bride.  I have someone on my team do our blogging because I can’t keep up w the demand for consistency.

Q17:  How often do you post on your blog?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: 3 times a week on http://www.hellolovelyweddings.com  and http://www.calgaryluxuryweddings.com  plus I do photoshoots just for them.

Q18:  How do you get ideas for photoshoots?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: I get inspired by dream scenarios that I wish I had clients ask me for. So I create it in the hopes of attracting them. I also love taking inspiration from store windows, restaurant decor and even children’s book illustrations.

Q19:    Do you work with the same people on a photoshoot?

Answer:

Ciara Glendon: I use new people each time. I test new people w a photoshoot- good for response time, creativity, team work. I love using etsy vendors to make my shoot international plus my son is always the ringbearer as the “thing”.  Here is a pic of my son Declan in a western wedding photoshoot we did published on @stylemepretty pic.twitter.com/jKn32IqAE5 .

Q20:  How do wedding pros manage social media & time on what’s important?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon:  I think focus on where people are connecting w you. Dabble in all- focus where you get response- all about evaluating ROI.

Q21:   What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat ?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: Be yourself, challenge yourself, leap when you can at opportunities, trust your gut, attend industry events and learn from people you admire http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H  .  Business unique to you, stop stalking  competition. create community like we do w @COWIConnect http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H  . Connect w me on #COWIUncensored livestream Nov 4-6 http://bit.ly/1aoxb7H  . Thanks everyone for being here! You all rock!!! I’m so honored to have been here #weddingmarket .

#WeddingMarket Questions From Twitter:

1. @guesterly What is the best part of your super-awesome job that would surprise people?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon:  I also really love tastings w clients #yummywineandfood . Apparently I like eating as the best part of my job lol.

2. @asaenz_87 Do you charge a set fee, a % of the cost of the wedding or commissions to suppliers instead charging the couple?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: I charge a set fee then a percentage on the decor. I’m very upfront w my pricing w couples.

3. @Caseyfphoto – Any other weather/environment issues for #CanadianWeddings?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: When it snows it makes for gr8 pics outside! #winterweddings are really popular.

4. @asaenz_87 What advice would you be for hiring the right people for your wedding business?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: Hire based on passion for this industry not on them wanting #richesandfame focus on benefits like flexibility.

5: @formdecor ‏ What tips do you have for a couple looking to create a unique wedding experience?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon:  Don’t copy your friends- think of guest needs- pull from your life’s loves.

6: @Caseyfphoto Any tips for US vendors looking to do #CanadianWeddings?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: Connect w Canadian #weddingplanners and make sure you have the right VISAS.

7. @asaenz_87  Which social media tool do you think has been the most useful for your business (Facebook, twitter, …)?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: Hands down my personal Facebook page. Twitter for vendors, Facebook for brides.  Also love love love Pinterest for sharing my work. I’m trying to get into Instagram. I like it for weddings when we have a hashtag.

8. @asaenz_87   Have you ever turned out a couple?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon: If it’s not the right fit and I can’t meet their expectations I definitely have sent couples to another planner.

9. @SweetestEvents_  What wedding planning software do you use?

Answer: 

Ciara Glendon:   I don’t use a software. I’m all about excel, word, dropbox and google docs.