Photo by Studio SMC Photography | www.studiosmc.com
This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on November 14th, 2012. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.
This #WeddingMarket Chat is Sponsored By the Lenox Wedding Tour @LenoxWedTour.
Join Our Wedding Market Chats For Wedding Professionals Every Wednesday at 10:00PST, 1:00EST, and 6:00GMT (UK time) with the #WeddingMarket Hashmark On Twitter. Learn something new to help your business grow every week. The chats are hosted by Wedding Market editor Julie Albaugh (@juliealbaugh).
Special Guests:
Xochitl (So-Cheel) Gonzalez @Theblogsmaid
Xochitl is an Accredited Bridal Consultant™ with the Association of Bridal Consultants, one of only 25 in the world. Xochitl is very active in the wedding blog-o-sphere, as editor of our own blog, Always a Blogsmaid and as a contributor for The Huffington Post Weddings.
Tara Consolati @Taraconsolati
Tara Consolati is the owner of Tara Consolati, marketing + pr, a boutique agency specializing in targeted marketing and public relations for the wedding industry. Believing passionately that the Berkshires is an ideal destination for luxury weddings and events, Tara assists the region’s high-end wedding purveyors with branding, promoting, and securing top level media placements on a local, regional, and national level.
Jaclyn Stevenson @writerjax
Jaclyn Stevenson is a writer, publicist, and social strategist based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Bridgewater State College and a master’s in Organization Development from American International College, and has studied abroad at Spa Lingua, Belgium, and Oxford University. Her work has been recognized by the New England Press Association (NEPA) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Recently, Jaclyn was named one of BusinessWest magazine’s 40 under 40.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself & how you got involved in the Wedding Industry ?
A @Theblogsmaid: Got involved in weddings after working in corporate events for advertising. We started planning in ’03. We evolved into designed over the last 5 years and have been blogging our adventures since ’05?
A @Taraconsolati been in biz for 7 yrs., offering biz support & creative consulting svcs. it’s evolved into the luxe wed niche.
A @WriterJax I used to be on the other end of fam tours as a journo. Now on the planning end! So much work-rewarding.
Q1: Can you explain what the @LenoxWeddingTour is?
A @Taraconsolati: @LenoxWedTour began because we saw how destination weddings in the Berkshires were so under marketed. We have so much to offer (venues, history, arts, shopping, etc.)…truly Newport without the ocean!
A @Theblogsmaid: We’ve been having a great time seeing the sites of Lenox over the last few days
Q2: Can you give me a little bit of history on the Berkshires?
A @WriterJax Lenox is just one part of the Berkshires that offers so much to a global audience. We are indeed a destination.
Q3: What makes weddings or destination weddings in the Berkshires unique?
A @WriterJax We’re touching on the Gilded Age ‘cottages’ of #Lenox – amazing, opulent mansions in a New England town.
A @Theblogsmaid: What I’m loving about Lenox it’s so easy to mix Luxe and Casual here! Gilded age mansions, romance, but rustic details!
A @TaraConsolati: Our history, with the mansions, adds a unique quality. The fact that we’re considered a cultural mecca is an added plus.
Q4: What makes the Berkshires the ideal location for wedding guests?
A @WriterJax My favorite aspect of Berkshire weddings is the food. Heirloom, local, tasty, hearty. #foodie . @TaraConsolati says #lenox is ideal for the nature lover as well as theater lovers.
Q5: What does the Berkshires offer for a Wedding?
A @WriterJax The Berkshires offer, among other things, a large, concentrated group of wedding professionals. Gorgeous venues, stunning Fall foliage, local art/music/theatre, rolling hills.
Q6: What are some of the unique wedding venues in the Berkshires?
A @Theblogsmaid What’s an unforgettable Venue? Edith Wharton’s house!!! The Mount was so romantic!! Yesterday we also saw Blandyre and it was amazing: Imagine a whole weekend just like Downton Abbey!
A @WriterJax The Dream Away Lodge in Becket! http://goo.gl/e9qln
A @TaraConsolati MASS MoCA, Santarella (a giant gingerbread house in Tyringham!), Lenox Library…you name it, we have it.
Q7: How far in advance should a bride plan a wedding in the Berkshires ? What is the smallest amount of time?
@Theblogsmaid If you are thinking of Lenox, you should be planning in advance. We saw an awesome barn yesterday- no availability till 2014!
Q8: What is the price range a couple will pay for a wedding in the Berkshires ?
A @WriterJax #Berkshire / #Lenox offer a broad range of wedding options -small to large.
A @TaraConsolati Too broad to pinpoint. We can certainly do weddings on a budget, but when renting out an estate, that’ll be more pricey!
Q9: What are some Berkshires wedding trends that you don’t see on a national level ?
A @Theblogsmaid What trends are emerging that work in Berkshires? Move over Shabby Chic, Hello Shabby Glam!
A @TaraConsolati Some of my fave new trends…cool backdrops, lounge seating, a nod to the roaring 20s.
Q10: Can you explain some of the activities that have been going on this week?
A @WriterJax Our fam/press tour is set apart from others bc there are ‘assignments within assignments’ for writers – showcase, etc. @lenoxwedtour is a GREAT #PR vehicle for Lenox and the Berkshires! We’re seeing a lot of buzz. Promotion included multi-prong outreach; social, invites, local, national. Social has been huge.
Q11: I understand there is a table design competition going on? Can you tell me more about that?
A @TaraConsolati Table Design challenge, really isn’t a “challenge.” Just a fun way to showcase your style. Table Design Challenge is based on “inspiration” invitations, provided by The Pink Orange. No rules 2 the Table Design. Just a fun way 4 the planners 2 strut their stuff! Really neat to see some rustic, some elegant.
A @WriterJax Watching these tables come to life is amazing. Bird cages to my right, white roses to my left… Look at the table designers go! http://instagr.am/p/SBVJPLLZvU/
A @Theblogsmaid Our assignment was to design a tabletop inspired by an invite from @thepinkorgange This is interesting….We are watching 17 VERY different tables get designed!
Q12: What do you want the Wedding Industry to take away from the #WeddingMarket #Chat ?
A @Theblogsmaid The value of a place like Lenox and the Berkshires is that you get guests to really “connect” with each other. If you want to have a destination wedding, my best advice: think of yourself as host of the whole weekend.
A @TaraConsolati We want people to know that no matter the style, size of your wedding or budget, the #Berkshires has something for everyone.
A @WriterJax Here is the @Lenoxwedtour site: http://lenoxweddingplannertour.com
… here is one of our Pinterest boards http://pinterest.com/lenoxwedtour/designers-corner/ …
#WeddingMarket Question: @lenoxWedTour so this is more like an entire community selling together as a whole, correct?
Answer @WriterJax: Yes, the @LenoxWedTour committee is made up of local professionals in wedding, marketing, hospitality, etc.
#WeddingMarket Question: What are some of the trends involving #grooms that you’ve spotted lately, @theblogsmaid?
Answer @Theblogsmaid: Fitted! Everyone wants to be 007 sexy
#WeddingMarket Question: What did you do collaboratively or individually to promote the area as a destination location?
Answer @Theblogsmaid: Sharing leads and being cooperative as a community has helped Lenox @writerjax Business booming!
#WeddingMarket Question: Photo trends for destination?
Answer @Theblogsmaid: Less trend than tip: Hire someone you LIKE, they are with you for not 5 hours, but 3 days!
#WeddingMarket Question: What about videography styles?
Answer @Theblogsmaid: Video Trends: the edit quality just as important as the shooting…
Answer @TaraConsolati: Videography styles…so much more personal, photojournalistic.
#WeddingMarket Question: How often do you run destination events?
Answer @TaraConsolati: My Lord…once a year! This one week of activities truly does take a full year to plan!
#WeddingMarket Question: DIY trends?
Answer @TheBlogsMaid: DIY trends: Simple, smart choices of fabrics, stamping, wallpaper backdrops etc vs. tons of crafts that go sloppy…
Answer @TaraConsolati: DIY brides tend to start out thinking they can do it all themselves (some can!), but often end up calling a planner to help.
#WeddingMarket Question: Floral trends?
Answer @TheBlogsMaid: Floral? Seeing more loose, relaxed arrangments: purposeful, but not sloppy
#WeddingMarket Question: Makeup trends?
Answer @TheBlogsMaid: Go timeless!
Answer @TaraConsolati: Makeup trials are a MUST! Don’t ever have your make-up person just come the day-off…almost always end up with regrets.
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