Weddingbee Blog

The Engage 08 conference was an all day event, and I was scheduled to speak on a panel right after lunch.  I was so nervous leading up to it, that I hardly took any pictures!  Luckily there were some fabulous photographers in attendance whose pictures I’ve borrowed below.

Let me start by saying that the conference was phenomenol, as evidenced by the large number of repeat attendees from the first Engage ‘08 just a few short months ago.  But don’t just take my word for it — check out these amazing reviews!

(image via dvbphoto)

This is Rebecca, founder of Engaging Concepts and mastermind behind Engage 08.  Rebecca was a Weddingbee fan pretty much as soon as we launched, and I’ve been unbelievably lucky to have her as a friend the past couple of years.  She has been such a huge supporter of both me and Weddingbee, that I couldn’t say no when she asked me to speak at the conference, even though I hate public speaking. 

No one knows the wedding industry better than Rebecca, and she is truly one of the sweetest, most genuine people you’ll ever meet.

The gorgeous letterpress agenda by Bella Figura.

Motivational speaker Simon T. Bailey got us inspired and pumped up first thing in the morning. 

(image via dvbphoto)

Carley Roney and David Liu –the founders of The Knot. The best moment of the conference had to be when Carley came up to me and said what a huge fan she was of Weddingbee.

(image via dvbphoto)

The gorgeous linens for the event were done by La Tavola Linen.

I’m probably talking about something blog related here. 

(image via dvbphoto)

Sylvia Weinstock is so hilarious!   She started her cake business when she was 50 and built it into the impressive empire that it is today.  She’s an absolute inspiration.

How much do I love Sylvia?  Here I am wearing her signature glasses at dinner after the conference!  Pictured with the lovely Kathryn Arce, managing director of Engaging Concepts.

This is the adorable Emilie of Emilie Inc. Photography.  We posted a free destination wedding photography offer for her way back in the day.  Emilie subsequently photographed the Jamaican nuptials of a Weddingbee reader, and she said it transformed her business!

(image via emilie inc.)

The gift bag we received was so big, I had to check it in at the airport!

(image via emilie inc.)

The fabulous Liene of Blue Orchid Designs.  This was taken on Liene’s iphone after an 18 hour day — we were exhausted!

I met so many amazing people including Randy Fenoli (fashion director at Kleinfeld), the gals over at Southern Weddings Magazine, Jill Meister of the CBS Early Show, and so many more!  I also had a great time catching up and talking business with fellow speaker Sean Low, president of Preston Bailey Designs. 

I cannot recommend this event more highly for anyone in the wedding industry. I hope to see you all at Engage 09! :)