Why am I a member of AWP?

I am pleased that AWP is not a social club, but a professional association.  I know that other members, as do I, commit to two things -
1.  to always provide exemplary service to clients, and
2.  to contribute to the greater knowledge of fellow AWP members, so that all may improve their own level of service. 

By our commitment to these two standards, we affirm that we are at all times, "People Pleasing Professionals."

We have only scratched the surface of what this organization is capable of.  I appreciate that our organization is made up of individuals with very different personal and professional strengths.  As your president, I see this as a tremendous resource.  I see that with the right channels to take advantage of our members' strengths, the resources this organization represents will multiply at an impressive rate.

So, let's combine our resources and astonish ourselves.  I challenge you to dedicate six hours a year to improving the Association of Wedding Professionals - that's 30 simple minutes a month.  How? 
-  Help out on a committee (welcome committee, newsletter committee, ambassador committee, community committee)
-  help conduct a survey
-  help plan or setup a program,
-  help write an article for brides or professionals to post to AWP's Web site
-  share a resource
-  donate your service

Get out your planner, and block out 30 minutes a month to do your part to build your association.  Your 30 minutes could be an action in conjunction with our monthly meetings, or it could take place while you're waiting to see your dentist - if you keep a pad of paper handy, put a title on one page, and write up a helpful tip whenever someone else asks you to "stand by."

This organization is based solely on volunteer input.  Its growth can be slow and incremental, or it can be exponential.  If you love what you do, then share a small fraction of that with A.W.P., and share in the pride of the growth of this fantastic organization.

Sincerely,

Susan C. J. Gildersleeve
President

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

  Image by Jim Johnson, Picture Story Studio

Our July fun meeting/fundraiser was a big sucess. Thank you all for particpating in the auction. A special thanks to all those who donated items for the auction. You're wonderful! The members who won those items will remember your generosity for a long time.

Personally, I can't wait to go caving with Larry from Retrospect, and I know Ron and his wife are excited to go to St. Thomas for 3 nights - thanks to Julie and Mark for their donation.

We raised just over $3,000 for the Making Memories Foundation.

As you know ,there is no meeting in August, but we are making plans for the September 26 Bridal Focus meeting - Ken Rochon will be our MC this year. We are looking forward to learning how the planning process went with our couples and what we can do to improve our service.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer and we'll see you in Bethesda in September!  Beat the rush and register now at www.weddingprofessionals.org !

Kathy Azarcon
Membership Chair

AWP Welcomes its Newest Members

(This list represents members who have joined since the publication of the brochure.)

A Planned Event

Anita Jennings

www.aplannedevent.com

weddings@aplannedevent.com

Phone:  703-459-0782

Fax:  801-760-2607

Bella Amore Events, LLC

Karie Lewicki

www.bellaamoreevents.com

info@bellaamoreevents.com

Phone:  301-228-3902

Fax:  301-228-2766

By Request Entertainment

www.byrequestentertainment.com

mitzvahs@verizon.net

Phone:  301-528-3807

Chapel of Love Ceremonies by Rev. S.J. Burns

Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns

www.startum.com/weddings.htm

sjb@startum.com

Phone:  202-253-3629

Courtyard by Marriott Tysons Corner

Jennifer Myers

www.courtyardtysonscorner.com

jennifer.myers@bfsaul.com

Phone:  703-584-2142

Dick Steiner, Magician & Mentalist

Dick Steiner

www.dicksteiner.com

dicksteiner@dicksteiner.com

Phone:  410-987-7801

Distinctively Yours Event Management

Johari A. Barnes

www.distinctivelyyoursevents.com

jabarnes@distinctivelyyoursevents.com

Phone:  410-905-6178

Fax:  410-238-3791

G Photography, Inc.

Hadar Goren

www.gorenphoto.com

hadar@gorenphoto.com

Phone:  202-297-8797

Good Note Djs

Steve Hoffman

www.goodnote.com

steve@goodnote.com

Phone:  301-270-8520

Good Vibrations Entertainment Services

Vince Colbert

www.goodvibrations.org

music@goodvibrations.org

Phone:  301-774-2882

Invitations, Ink

Steve Lahn

www.invitationsink.net

steve@invitationsink.net

Phone:  301-963-4900

Fax:  301-963-2224

It's All  About the Bride, LLC

Letiscia Perrin

www.itsallaboutthebride.net

lperrin@itsallaboutthebride.net

Phone:  410-263-5663

Fax:  410-263-5667

J. Stuart Harris Photography

J. Stuart Harris

www.jstuartharris.com

jshphoto@verizon.net

Phone:  301-593-0627 

James Bonato Video

James Bonato

www.jamesbonatovideo.com

james@jamesbonatovideo.com

Phone:  301-428-3426

Lynn Fleming Studios

Lynn Fleming

www.lynnflemingstudios.com

lynn@lynnflemingstudios.com

Phone:  301-972-4296

Fax:  301-972-6301

Prime Transportation Services, Inc.
Thom Smith and P.J. Johnson
www.primetransportation.com
info@primetransportation.com

Phone:  301-839-5000
Romantic Betrothal

Sara Franco

www.romanticbetrothal.com

sarafranco@aol.com

Phone:  703-644-3818

Fax:  703-644-3801

State Farm Insurance

Paul Counts

paul.counts.nxnd@statefarm.com

Phone:  301-474-0300

Fax:  301-474-0948

The Chocolate Chick

Hilary Bradley

www.thechocolatechick.com

info@thechocolatechick.com

Phone:  703-627-2294

Fax:  703-742-9088

Timeless Images Photography

Tarik Jones

www.timelessimagephoto.com

tarik@timelessimagephoto.com

Phone:  301-701-7849

Tomorrow's Caterers, Inc.

Donna Pendarvis

www.tomorrowscaterers.com

dondacake@aol.com

Phone:  301-297-7227

AWP Business Tool - Your New AWP Member Binder    

A huge round of appreciation goes to AWP member, Martin Bates, president of Premier Printing, wwho came in on time and on budget in the printing and assembling of our new AWP Membership Binders!  He asked many wise questions, and contributed greatly in his expert formatting of every image, letter, dash, and dot. Thank you, Martin!

The content of the binders was a collaborative effort of many members, including 
   Kathy Azarcon of Moments to Remember
   Elise Newton of Exclusive Elegance by Elise
   Meredith Sellers of Elegant Engagements
   Patti Wilson of Smooth Weddings, LLC 
   Susan Gildersleeve of Perfect Wedding Guide

The 2006 AWP Membership Binders made their Washington, D.C. debut the evening of July 25 at the historic home of George Washington's granddaughter, Mrs. Thomas Law, and was modeled by enthusiastic AWP member, Steve Lahn of Invitations, Ink .  Members attending AWP's tropically complete Fun Meeting received their own personal desktop edition, packaged in the fresh and ever so fashion forward AWP tote bag.  Autographs were neither given, nor taken, though that would have made appropriate use of the awesomely accessorizing AWP portable inscriber included in the new AWP tote bags (yes, your new AWP pen is designed to complement a full range of stylish wardrobes.)

      

Each member has one copy reserved in his or her name.  Need to know how to get yours?
Simply register for the next meeting, and yours will be waiting for you when you arrive. 
Need that link again?  It's www.weddingprofessionals.org

As you would expect, the binder has a profile of each member, with room to add notes to each person's profile as you learn about them.  Will there be a prize in six months for the "Most Annotated Binder?"  Everybody loves a prize, so get working on yours, and who knows what exciting prize you might win!

Other reasons to take your binder to bed with you - you'll want to test your knowledge of the wedding industry - the trends, the prices, the challenges in each category.  If you like to give your brides the "411" on what to expect when planning their wedding, then the AWP Category Pages are "Must Read" material for you! 

And, although there are those of you who could write your own episodes of "As the Wedding Turns," how many of you could chronograph the major things a bride and her family need to do (we could have just said "schedule" but our Scrabble players would have been disappointed)?  Take a look at the Wedding Checklist, and think of it as the "Intelligent Guide to Helping Brides" - make it your business to know what she might need, when she might need it, and become her hero when it comes time to find the right answers (and yes, if you jumped to conclusions and guessed that the "right answers" are to be found in the pages pursuant to the Checklist, you've really been doing your homework.)

We apologize if you show up to work with dark circles under your eyes from having become so engrossed with your own edition of the 2006 AWP Member Binder that you simply could not put it down, but we knew you'd want to know.

And that cute little pocket in the front?  If you guessed it's for holding business cards you'd be right.  If you also guessed that it's the most convenient place ever for keeping current copies of the AWP Brochure, you'd get an extra turn to ring the bell at an upcoming AWP meeting.  Just ask Patti.

Did we hear you say you need more copies of the AWP brochure?  They'll be available at our next meeting (that link again is www.weddingprofessionals.org ) and the next, and the next.  If you really can't make it to a meeting in time to get yours, please reply to this message and let us know, and we'll see that you receive your own supply!

Only Three More Meetings in 2006!

September 26 - Bridal Focus Forum - Tragara Restaurant, Bethesda, MD

October 24 - Hyatt Fair Lakes, Virginia

November 28 - City Tavern Club, Washington, DC

Don't forget to register online at www.weddingprofessionals.org.  Deadline is the Friday before the Tuesday meeting.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.  See you in September!

Our Annual FUN Meeting

           Images by Jim Johnson, Picture Story Studio.

Our festivities began on the Presidential Yacht, Sequoia, on the beautiful Potomac River.  It was a perfect night to enjoy cocktails outside on top of the yacht.  It was interesting to tour the rooms and cabins where Past Presidents have been before, reading letters and viewing various memorabilia.  Members and guests alike enjoyed networking, catching up and enjoying the view from atop the yacht.

At the appointed time, everyone walked over to the historic Thomas Law House.  We were greeted with a lei and enjoyed Hors d'Oeuvres and drinks along with AWP's signature drink, the Purple Martini.  Our very own Donna Pendarvis of Tomorrow's Caterers provided the festive food and drinks.  As members and guests mingled, we were entertained by a strolling magician and serenaded with music provided by member, Absolute Entertainment.  While enjoying the Hors d'Oeuvres and dinner buffet, members and guests were bidding on the silent auction items donated by members and purchasing raffle tickets.  All proceeds benefited the Making Memories Foundation - Brides Against Breast Cancer.  We collected over $3,000.  Way to go, AWP!

As the night rolled on, there were even a few of us who braved doing the Limbo!  Besides the delectable desserts provided by Tomorrow's Caterers, our own Chocolate Chick, Hillary, provided a luscious semi-sweet chocolate fountain - always a hit!

Near the end of the evening, the raffle ticket was drawn and Elise Newton's husband won $150.  He and Elise then donated $50 of it back to the Making Memories Foundation.  Then, the silent auction winners were announced and the most popular item bidded on was the three-night stay in St. Thomas won by Ron Jones!

All members also received a "goody bag" filled with our new membership directory, pen, mug and a referral pad.  Read more about these items in this newsletter's President's Report and AWP Business Tool.

 View all of Jim Johnson's great photos of this event on AWP's Website - click on the Photo Gallery page and click on the Photo Gallery for July  www.weddingprofessionals.org/meetinginfo.php?p_or_f=p