Letter - Volume 3, Issue 1

In Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel Anna Karenina, Levin dons his boots and marches out onto his farmland knowing that “spring is the time of plans and projects.”Indeed, spring is the ideal time to dust off winter weariness and look, with renewed vigor, at possibility. It’s time for making changes and planting seeds that, properly nurtured, will transform into strong, sturdy shoots.With this our second anniversary issue, Wedding Planner Magazine has been doing just that. In January, we embraced the hearty Midwest winter and planted seeds of growth with a presence at The Special Event in Chicago. Special thanks to the Association of Bridal Consultants’ (ABC) Frank Andonoplas, MBC™, for the many hours of time he put into planning the event as ambassador, and to Dena Davey, ABC director of Marketing; Carmen Mesa, MBC™; and Tammy Waterman, ABC™, who staffed the ABC vendor booth.As spring blooms, we’re also nurturing the young shoots we’ve already planted by taking reader advice to heart. With the help of our advisory board, we’ve made a few tweaks to our annual Trendsetter Award. The awards will feature additional categories, a new application process, and an extended deadline—as well as a new name, the WEDStyle Awards (see p 17).To help you sow and grow your new business ideas, we’ve also filled the pages of this issue with creative and practical ideas that you can use right away. Our cover feature details the latest color trends and advises you how to use color with confidence. Speaking of trends, Laura Hiniker with Carlson Craft brings you the latest in stationery styles. Plus ABC members Julieta Jimz and Alan Berg remind you to pay close attention to your website. Jimz explores making sure your website attracts brides, while Berg helps you see if your site is making you money. And don’t miss the article about how you can handle bad business reviews by Master Bridal Consultant™ Mark Kingsdorf.As you prepare for your spring “planting,” don’t forget about the Miss Dorothy Heart Award and Scholarship (see p 4). And, most certainly, don’t miss out on early registration for the ABC Business of Brides, Nov. 10-12, 2013, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Visit www.BridalAssn.com. It’s your chance to grow your business into something truly strong and healthy!